The Utah Jazz (36 - 37) defeated the host Minnesota Timberwolves (24 - 49) 93 - 84, Saturday evening at Target Center. This was a much - needed victory for the Jazz as they came into this game tied with Dallas for the eighth seed and only a half - game behind seventh place Houston. Their opponent, the Timberwolves, despite their record, have been a formidable foe over their last seven games, winning won four - of - seven, as well as their last two in a row. Minnesota started out terribly slow, with a 10 - point first quarter, but managed to cut the deficit to one by half time. The teams matched each other in the third quarter, leaving the fourth to decide the game. Utah used a 90 run, culminating at the 8:30 mark in the fourth quarter, in order to create some separation, which they were then able to maintain until the final buzzer. The Jazz used a balanced team effort to emerge victorious, as four players scored 15 or more points, while the team played solid defense and rebounded well. Gordon Hayward was solid, with 18 points, five rebounds, five assists and two blocked shots, in 39 minutes, while Derrick Favors added 19 points, five rebounds, two assists and two blocks, in 34 minutes. Rodney Hood finished with 15 points, four rebounds and four assists, in 33 minutes. The Jazz shot 47 percent from the field and 43 percent from long range, en route to their 14th victory on the road. The Timberwolves were not able to win their third straight, but still managed to put up a good fight, as they shot 38 percent from the field, 36 percent from deep and hit 16 - of - 19 free throws. Ricky Rubio led the Timberwolves in points, assists and steals, as he finished with 23 points, six assists, five rebounds, four steals and one blocked shot, in 30 minutes. Karl-Anthony Towns chipped in 14 points and 11 rebounds, while Andrew Wiggins added 13 points, four rebounds and two assists. No other Timberwolves players scored in double digits, as the rest of the team accounted for only 34 points. Next, the Timberwolves will host the Suns on Monday. The Jazz have an opportunity to grab another win and get closer to securing a spot in the top eight, when they host the Lakers on Monday.
["TeamStat(G,'Timberwolves') has 36 Percentage of 3 points ,has 38 Percentage of field goals ,has 49 Losses ,has 84 Total points ,has 10 Points in 1st quarter ,has 24 Wins ."
 "TeamStat(G,'Jazz') has 43 Percentage of 3 points ,has 47 Percentage of field goals ,has 37 Losses ,has 93 Total points ,has 36 Points in 1st quarter ."]