The Utah Jazz (21 - 25) defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves (14 - 34) 103 - 90 on Friday. Despite the Jazz's well - earned reputation for boasting of the league's most formidable frontcourts, one of the intriguing stories coming out of Friday's contest was the Timberwolves' significant success with their own pair of big men down low. Minnesota's tandem of Karl-Anthony Towns and Gorgui Dieng outperformed Utah's Rudy Gobert and Derrick Favors, with both of the visitors tallying double - doubles. It was Favors' first start after having missed 16 games with a back injury, given that he'd come off the bench in the first pair of contests since his return. On the Timberwolves' side, Dieng got the starting nod in place of Kevin Garnett, who missed his third consecutive game with knee soreness. Minnesota was spearheaded by Towns, who posted a career - high 32 points, 12 boards, an assist, a steal and a block. Dieng tallied 20 points and 15 rebounds of his own, along with a pair of assists and a pair of steals. No other starter managed to get into double digits, but Zach LaVine did contribute 19 points to pace the Minnesota reserves. He supplemented his scoring with three assists and a rebound. Shabazz Muhammad was productive off the bench as well, amassing 11 points, four rebounds, an assist and a steal. The Timberwolves remain in last place in the Western Conference's Northwest Division. They now head to Portland to face the Trail Blazers on Sunday. Utah was led by Rodney Hood's 22 point - effort, which he complemented with four assists, a rebound and a steal. Favors poured in 20 points of his own, while also hauling in nine rebounds, dishing out an assist and recording a block. Gobert was next with a 14 - point, 12 - rebound double - double, which also included a pair of assists, a pair of steals and a pair of blocks. With Favors back in the starting five and Hood having another strong shooting night, Gordon Hayward had a relatively quiet game by his lofty standards, totaling 12 points, five rebounds and two assists. The bench was led by Trey Burke's 12 points, which were complemented by a rebound, an assist and two steals. Trevor Booker also contributed a near double - double in a reserve role, pouring in 11 points and hauling down eight boards. He dished out a pair of assists and had a pair of steals and blocks as well. The win momentarily vaulted the Jazz into second place in the Western Conference's Northwest Division, with a possible fall to third place hinging on the outcome of the Trail Blazers' contest with the Hornets that concludes later on Friday evening. Utah remains home to face the Bulls on Monday night.
["PlayerStat(G,'Gorgui Dieng') has 2 Assists ,has 20 Blocks ,has 15 Field goals attempted ,has 2 Offensive rebounds ."
 "PlayerStat(G,'Karl-Anthony Towns') has 1 Assists ,has 1 Blocks ,has 32 Field goals attempted ,has 12 Offensive rebounds ,has 1 Points ."
 "PlayerStat(G,'Shabazz Muhammad') has 1 Assists ,has 11 Blocks ,has 4 Field goals attempted ,has 1 Offensive rebounds ."
 "PlayerStat(G,'Zach LaVine') has 3 Assists ,has 19 Blocks ,has 1 Field goals attempted ."
 "PlayerStat(G,'Gordon Hayward') has 2 Assists ,has 12 Blocks ,has 5 Field goals attempted ."
 "PlayerStat(G,'Derrick Favors') has 1 Assists ,has 1 Blocks ,has 16 Field goals attempted ,has 20 Offensive rebounds ,has 9 Points ."
 "PlayerStat(G,'Rudy Gobert') has 2 Assists ,has 2 Blocks ,has 5 Field goals attempted ,has 14 Offensive rebounds ,has 12 Points ,has 2 Total rebounds ."
 "PlayerStat(G,'Rodney Hood') has 4 Assists ,has 22 Blocks ,has 1 Field goals attempted ,has 1 Offensive rebounds ."
 "PlayerStat(G,'Trevor Booker') has 2 Assists ,has 11 Blocks ,has 8 Field goals attempted ,has 2 Offensive rebounds ."
 "PlayerStat(G,'Trey Burke') has 1 Assists ,has 12 Blocks ,has 1 Field goals attempted ,has 2 Offensive rebounds ."]