Timberwolves at Jazz
The streaking Utah Jazz look to post their eighth victory in the past nine games when they host the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday in the first contest of a home-and-home set between the clubs. Star guard Donovan Mitchell has fueled Utah's hot stretch and has scored 20 or more points in each of the past 10 games.
Mitchell is averaging 30.3 points during the span after scoring 35 points in Wednesday's 114-108 win over the Denver Nuggets, a triumph that greatly pleased veteran forward Jae Crowder. "I feel like we can beat anybody in the league, obviously, when we play the right way," Crowder told reporters after the contest. "We have a game plan for it. Our coaches do a very good job of preparing us and we're very confident in ourselves, our work, and how we approach the game." Minnesota has won three straight games and seven of 10 after posting a solid 120-105 road win over the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday. Timberwolves point guard Derrick Rose departed the contest with an ankle injury and interim coach Ryan Saunders said Rose will be re-evaluated Friday before it is decided whether he can play against the Jazz.
TV: 9 p.m. ET, FS North (Minnesota), AT&T SportsNet Rocky Mountain (Utah)
ABOUT THE TIMBERWOLVES (24-24): Center Karl-Anthony Towns recorded 27 points and 12 rebounds against the Lakers for his 12th double-double in the past 15 games. Towns has fueled the team's recent rise and Saunders admitted it was a big deal for Minnesota to reach the .500 mark for the first time since being 13-13 on Dec. 8. "You don't want to fall below .500," Saunders said after Thursday's win. "Getting to .500 is an accomplishment but we take things day by day and game by game."
ABOUT THE JAZZ (27-22): Mitchell is averaging 28.3 points and shooting 42.5 percent from 3-point range during January after averaging 18.2 points and shooting 29.8 percent from behind the arc in December. "At the beginning of the year, I took tougher shots in all aspects," Mitchell told reporters after matching his season best of six 3-pointers against the Nuggets. "That's my mindset - making it easier on myself. Finding the open guys and then I create lanes for myself." Center Rudy Gobert is also on a roll with nine straight double-doubles - he has 40 on the season - and he has blocked two or more shots in seven consecutive games.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Rose scored a career-best 50 points as the Timberwolves posted a 128-125 home win over Jazz on Oct. 31.
2. Minnesota PG Jeff Teague (foot) will likely miss his third straight contest.
3. Crowder is averaging 16 points over the past four games.