National Basketball Association
Utah 103, Minnesota 90
When: 9:00 PM ET, Friday, January 29, 2016
Where: Vivint Smart Home Arena, Salt Lake City, Utah
Officials: #38 Michael Smith, #9 Derrick Stafford, #52 Scott Twardoski
Attendance: 18850

SALT LAKE CITY -- Minnesota rookie Karl-Anthony Towns scored 32 points, but his big night was overshadowed by strong efforts from Jazz guard Rodney Hood and forward Derrick Favors in Utah's 103-90 win on Friday night.

Hood, who is averaging 18 points in January after going 1 of 13 from the field in a loss at Minnesota on Dec. 30, led the Jazz with 22 points.

Favors had 20 points and nine rebounds in his first start since Dec. 23. He returned this week after missing 16 games because of back spasms.

Center Rudy Gobert contributed 14 points, 12 rebounds and two blocks for Utah, which won consecutive games for the first time since Jan. 9-10.

The Jazz improved to 21-25 and moved back into sole possession of the eighth spot in the Western Conference.

Towns hit 13 of 17 shots from the floor and grabbed 12 rebounds, center Gorgui Dieng contributed 20 points and 15 rebounds, and point guard Zach Lavine scored 19 off the bench for slumping Minnesota.

The Timberwolves (14-34) have lost 10 consecutive road games and 14 of 16 overall. Minnesota beat the Jazz 94-80 at home last month.

The teams were neck and neck for most of three quarters before the Jazz opened things up with a big run heading into the fourth quarter.

Towns made two free throws with 5:05 left in the third quarter, but the Timberwolves didn't score again until forward Shabazz Muhammad made a 6-foot shot 2 1/2 minutes into the fourth quarter.

During the same span, the Jazz went on a 14-0 run. Guard Trey Burke, who had 12 points, drained two of his four 3-pointers for Utah.

The Jazz fared much better this time around than last month in Minnesota when they were missing Gobert and Favors with injuries.

The Jazz shot 52.6 percent from the field and clamped down on defense in the second half. Minnesota only scored 35 points in the second half after trailing 56-55 at halftime.

The Jazz continue their season-high, six-game homestand on Monday against Chicago. This loss kicked off a four-game road trip for Minnesota, which has dropped three straight.

NOTE: PF Derrick Favors was reinserted into the Jazz's starting lineup after returning from a back injury on Monday. Because of injuries, Friday marked the first time that Favors and C Rudy Gobert were in the first unit together since Nov. 30. ... Jazz coach Quin Snyder on how injuries have helped Utah: "For one thing, it gives us more experience." As a silver lining to health woes, Snyder is happy that G Raul Neto, F Trey Lyles and C Jeff Withey have been able to play increased minutes. ... Minnesota interim coach Sam Mitchell: "The way that we have been playing lately, I like all our guys. Everybody is looking to make the extra pass to make us a better team." ... Jazz G Erick Green was named to the 2016 D-League All-Star team. Before receiving a 10-day contract with Utah, the 6-3 playmaker averaged 26.7 points, 4.4 assists and 4.4 rebounds for the Reno Bighorns.
Top Game Performances
 
Minnesota   Utah
Karl-Anthony Towns 32 Scoring Rodney Hood 22
Ricky Rubio 8 Assists Raul Neto 6
Gorgui Dieng 15 Rebounds Rudy Gobert 12
Gorgui Dieng 6 Free Throws Made Rodney Hood 4
Gorgui Dieng 2 Steals Trevor Booker 2
Tayshaun Prince 1 Blocks Trevor Booker 2
Team Stats Summary
 
Team Points FG% 3PM-3PA FTM-FTA Assists Rebounds Blocks Steals Turnovers
Minnesota 90 46.7 2-10 18-26 17 38 2 9 15
Utah 103 52.6 10-25 13-16 24 40 5 8 14
Upcoming Games
  • Utah will play their next game at home against Chicago. The Jazz have a W/L % of .381 after a win and .520 after a loss.
  • Minnesota will play their next game on the road against Portland. The Timberwolves have a W/L % of .400 after a win and .242 after a loss.