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Timberwolves game preview: Nov. 13 at Utah Jazz

By Jake Paynting

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - OCTOBER 20: Jeff Teague #0 of the Minnesota Timberwolves defends against Joe Ingles #2 of the Utah Jazz during the game on October 20, 2017 at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Timberwolves defeated the Jazz 100-97. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - OCTOBER 20: Jeff Teague #0 of the Minnesota Timberwolves defends against Joe Ingles #2 of the Utah Jazz during the game on October 20, 2017 at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Timberwolves defeated the Jazz 100-97. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /
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SHENZHEN, CHINA – OCTOBER 05: Shabazz Muhammad #15 and Jamal Crawford #11 of the Minnesota Timberwolves in action during the game between the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Golden State Warriors as part of 2017 NBA Global Games China at Shenzhen Universidade on October 5, 2017 in Shenzhen, China. (Photo by VCG/VCG via Getty Images)
SHENZHEN, CHINA – OCTOBER 05: Shabazz Muhammad #15 and Jamal Crawford #11 of the Minnesota Timberwolves in action during the game between the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Golden State Warriors as part of 2017 NBA Global Games China at Shenzhen Universidade on October 5, 2017 in Shenzhen, China. (Photo by VCG/VCG via Getty Images) /

Major key for Minnesota: Get the bench going

Jamal Crawford may have came up big last time these two teams faced off, but overall the Minnesota Timberwolves bench has been its Achilles heel this season (ring a bell, anyone?).

https://twitter.com/All_SportNews/status/921741882060890112

According to NBA stats, the Wolves rank 24th in the league in bench scoring with a tick over 30 bench points per game and 28th in bench rebounds with only 8.9 per game. Although their 40 percent mark from behind the 3-point line suggests this bench does have some firepower.

And firepower is what they will need to bring against a stingy Utah bench that has the 10th best bench Defensive Rating in the league.

The Wolves outscored the Jazz 32-18 last time the two teams played, so it will go a long way towards another victory for the Timberwolves to repeat their impressive bench performance this time around.

Whether it is another JCrossover explosion or a combination of bench scoring from a variety of under-performing reserves, the Timberwolves will need to pack a punch from their bench if they are to kick this two-game losing streak to the curb.

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