Timberwolves 100, Jazz 98
TIMBERWOLVES 100, JAZZ 98: Luke Ridnour hit the game-winning shot at the buzzer as host Minnesota climbed back to .500 and left Utah all alone in the Northwest Division basement.
J.J. Barea scored 22 points to pace the the Timberwolves, who have won four of five to bring their record to 17-17. Ridnour finished with 17 points, Nikola Pekovic chipped in 15 and 12
rebounds and Kevin Love just barely kept his double-double streak alive
with 10 points and 10 boards.
Al Jefferson tied it, 98-98, on a jumper with seven seconds left, forcing Minnesota to call a timeout.
Ridnour got the ball out of the break and went toward the basket, flipping up a shot at the buzzer for the victory.
The Jazz led by as many as 16 points in the fourth quarter and were still up, 87-73, with 7:33 to play.
That’s when the Timberwolves began to make their move, holding Utah without a field goal for just over six minutes. They took the lead when Love stole the ball and found Derrick Williams, who was fouled and hit two free throws with 42 seconds left.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Utah has lost 10 of its last 13 games and has allowed 100 or more points in five straight. … Love went 3 for 14 from the field and is just 17 for 59 (29 percent) over the last three contests. Despite the struggles, he has double-doubles in 11 straight games. … Paul Millsap collected 25 points and nine rebounds to lead the Jazz.