Timberwolves 94, Jazz 80
MINNEAPOLIS -- The Minnesota Timberwolves pulled away in the second half en route to a 94-80 win over the Utah Jazz on Wednesday at Target Center.
The victory snapped a four-game losing streak for Minnesota, which trailed just once -- in the opening minute.
Timberwolves rookie center Karl-Anthony Towns scored 12 of his game-high 25 points in the fourth quarter and also grabbed 10 rebounds.
The Jazz shot poorly from the field all night, finishing at 35 percent. Utah shot 26.8 percent in the first half and was at 29.5 percent after three quarters.
Minnesota led by double digits for much of the third quarter, getting a 3-pointer from forward Gorgui Dieng and a tomahawk slam by forward Shabazz Muhammad to take a 15-point lead midway through the third. The advantage was their largest of the game.
Jazz guard Trey Burke kept Utah in the game, scoring seven points in the third and 16 more in the fourth after being held scoreless in the first half. Burke shot 8-for-18 from the floor and led the Jazz with 23 points off the bench.
Burke's work kept Utah within six for a large portion of the final quarter before back-to-back buckets by Minnesota forward Tayshaun Prince gave the Wolves a 10-point lead with 1:45 to play.
Utah forward Gordon Hayward had 14 points, while center Jeff Withey added 13 points and nine rebounds.
Neither team was particularly good from the charity stripe; the Jazz shot just 70 percent from the foul line, a number that bested Minnesota's 63 percent.
Minnesota guard Andrew Wiggins had 17 points, and Dieng finished with 12 points and nine rebounds off the bench.
Wolves guard Ricky Rubio tied his franchise record with 17 assists and added 10 points. It was the 10th time this season Rubio reached double-digit assists.
NOTES: Jazz F Derrick Favors missed his third consecutive game because of back spasms. ... Jazz G Alec Burks elected to undergo surgery on his fractured left leg in hopes of returning quicker than his six-week timeline. Burks is out indefinitely after sustaining the injury in a loss to the Los Angeles Clippers on Saturday. ... Timberwolves G Andre Miller and F Damjan Rudez were healthy scratches. ... Utah will begin a three-game homestand on Thursday when it plays host to the Portland Trail Blazers at Vivint Smart Home Arena. ... Minnesota will also play the second of back-to-back games on Thursday against the Detroit Pistons at the Palace of Auburn Hills.