Timberwolves dominate the Jazz: Takeaways from Minnesota’s eighth straight win
Minnesota has a few clunkers on its resume against cellar dwellers this season, but it was evident early in its bout against Utah that Sunday would not produce another.
Anthony Edwards scored 21 points in the first quarter, and the Wolves scored 26 of the game’s first 35 points as they blew out Utah, 128-102, at Target Center.
Utah put together a run in the second quarter to get within four, but that was as the depleted Jazz (15-53) — the last-place team in the West and without numerous rotational pieces Sunday — would get. A 12-2 run put Minnesota back up 14, and the Wolves never looked back en route to their eighth straight victory.
“I loved our start. It’s what we asked the guys to do, defensively more than offensively. That’s where I thought we were really good, and we turned it into a lot of really good offense,” Wolves coach Chris Finch told reporters. “We did a good job of regrouping after we lost focus for a minute. … Couldn’t ask for anything better.”
Minnesota trailed 3-2 on Sunday, and then never again. It led by as many as 31 points on a night where it produced 66 points in the paint and turned Utah over 22 times.
Here are takeaways from Minnesota’s blowout victory, which was career win No. 200 for Wolves coach Chris Finch:
Edwards explodes
Minnesota’s star guard has been known to mail in the occasional contest against a less-than-impressive foe, but a couple years ago, Finch pitched the idea of mass scoring outputs available for Edwards if he put his pedal down against teams that didn’t have the aptitude to deter him.
That theory came to fruition Sunday, as the guard had the dominant first quarter and maintained his production throughout in his 41-point showing. That’s Edwards’ seventh 40-plus point game of the season. Four of those have come against teams currently six-plus games below .500 — Utah, Chicago, Washington and Phoenix. That Edwards is willing to set a tone of aggression helps Minnesota avoid bad losses, which it can’t afford in the tight Western Conference.
Consistent McDaniels
Jaden McDaniels was again excellent in a number of ways. He scored 20 points to go with 12 rebounds, two blocks and a steal. He tied Edwards in plus-minus Sunday, with Minnesota outscoring Utah by 31 points when he was on the floor.
This is the new norm for the 24-year-old defensive stopper, who quickly is living up to his potential as a two-way wing. In the past, McDaniels’ offensive prowess has only presented itself in spurts. But he’s been as consistent as they come of late, even after Donte DiVincenzo and Julius Randle returned to the lineup — might have figured to bump McDaniels back down the proverbial pecking order on offense.
Over his past 14 games, McDaniels has scored 13-plus points on 12 occasions. Sunday marked his sixth 20-plus point game in that span and his fifth double-double.
“He’s becoming an ascending player,” Finch said. “Some nights he’s our two or three, it doesn’t really matter. He finds ways to impact the game. … He’s just playing with so much confidence. Even if the ball doesn’t go in, he’s still ready to make the play when it does happen.”
Clark the disruptor
Jaylen Clark finished with three steals in 17 minutes as he saw his role grow with veteran Mike Conley resting. The guard not only gives Minnesota (40-29) another perimeter defensive stopper, but he has demonstrated the ability to cause chaos in the backcourt with his thievery anytime the opponent gets sloppy bringing the ball up the court.
Those are the type of momentum-inducing plays that can turn a game, or, as was the case Sunday, simply keep the good times rolling.
“They’re huge,” Finch said. “They’re momentum plays, they’re energy plays, their backbreaking plays a lot of times.”
Rest up
Edwards played 31 minutes, but no one else was north of 27. That’s critical for Minnesota considering it hosts Indiana, a playoff team in the East, on Monday in Minneapolis. Minnesota sat Conley on Sunday for rest purposes. Pair that with the minimal minute loads players took on against Utah, and the Wolves should be in a good spot against the Pacers — even on the second half of a back to backs.
“Didn’t have to burn through a lot of guys’ minutes tonight unnecessarily,” Finch said, “which is a sign of a good, professional win.”
Related Articles
- Minnesota Timberwolves | Timberwolves rally in the fourth to win seventh straight: Takeaways from the win over Orlando
- Minnesota Timberwolves | Timberwolves trounce Denver … again: Five takeaways from yet another win over the Nuggets
- Minnesota Timberwolves | Timberwolves dominate San Antonio from deep in Rudy Gobert’s return
- Minnesota Timberwolves | Bam Adebayo fined $50,000 for making contact, using profanity toward referee after Wolves game
- Minnesota Timberwolves | Mike Conley again showing his value to Timberwolves
Topics
-
Timberwolves rally to beat Magic 118-111 for their 7th straight victory
Anthony Edwards scored 28 points and the Minnesota Timberwolves rallied to beat the Orlando Magic 118-111 on Friday night for their seventh straight victoryABC News - 2d -
Timberwolves rally to beat Magic 118-111 for their 7th straight victory
Anthony Edwards scored 28 points and the Minnesota Timberwolves rallied to beat the Orlando Magic 118-111 on Friday night for their seventh straight victory. Down 90-82 with 10:23 left, Minnesota ...Yahoo Sports - 2d -
Postgame takeaways: Hometown hero Jonny Brodzinski sparks NY Rangers' win in Minnesota
There were a few unlikely heroes who helped the Blueshirts snap a four-game losing streak against the Wild.Yahoo Sports - 3d -
Timberwolves vs. Nuggets odds, line, prediction, time: 2025 NBA picks, March 12 best bets from proven model
SportsLine's model simulated the Denver Nuggets vs. Minnesota Timberwolves 10,000 times and revealed its NBA picks for WednesdayCBS Sports - 4d -
Celtics vs. Jazz odds, score prediction, time: 2025 NBA picks, March 10 best bets from proven model
SportsLine's model just revealed its NBA predictions for the Utah Jazz vs. Boston Celtics on MondayCBS Sports - 6d -
Logan Cooley Ends Point Slump, Gives Utah Lead For Good in Vital 3-2 Win Against Vancouver
Facing the Vancouver Canucks, the current holders of the final Wild Card spot in the West, Utah found itself playing its most important game of the season so far.Yahoo Sports - 6h -
Four best NBA prop bets for Sunday, March 9: Ja Morant, Evan Mobley, Anthony Edwards predictions and more
SportsLine's proven computer model has revealed its NBA prop picks for some of the most popular player bets for Sunday's NBA scheduleCBS Sports - Mar. 9 -
Ohio State pistol continues dominance, wins fifth straight national title
The Ohio State pistol squad continued its dominance in the sport by winning its fifth straight national title on Saturday.Yahoo Sports - 16h -
Reidsville completes second straight perfect season with 60th straight win, state title
Reidsville (North Carolina) finished its second straight perfect season and its 60th win in a row with another state title, led by Kendre Harrison.Yahoo Sports - 20h
More from Yahoo Sports
-
Rodriguez takes a common sense approach to analytics
West Virginia head coach Rich Rodriguez believes that analytics have a place in college football. Rodriguez has learned some really beneficial things from looking at the analytics but he doesn’t ...Yahoo Sports - 7m -
Two ESPN experts pick Rams' addition of Davante Adams as the best move of NFL free agency
The Rams made a splash by signing Davante Adams and two ESPN experts say it's the best move any team has made in free agencyYahoo Sports - 11m -
Manchester City need reliable players and not ‘more’ players insists Pep Guardiola in transfer message
Pep Guardiola has sent a clear message of intent to Manchester City’s chief decision makers over the club’s strategy moving forward into the next campaign.City are set to undergo a major squad ove...Yahoo Sports - 12m -
Tosh Lupoi opens up about what went wrong for Oregon Ducks vs. Ohio State
Oregon Ducks defensive coordinator Tosh Lupoi opens up about what went wrong against the Ohio State Buckeyes in the Rose Bowl.Yahoo Sports - 15m -
Lady Vols versus South Florida basketball TV channel, streaming in NCAA Tournament
A look at TV channel and streaming information for the Lady Vols versus South Florida basketball in the NCAA Tournament first round.Yahoo Sports - 16m
More in Sports
-
Rodriguez takes a common sense approach to analytics
West Virginia head coach Rich Rodriguez believes that analytics have a place in college football. Rodriguez has learned some really beneficial things from looking at the analytics but he doesn’t ...Yahoo Sports - 7m -
Two ESPN experts pick Rams' addition of Davante Adams as the best move of NFL free agency
The Rams made a splash by signing Davante Adams and two ESPN experts say it's the best move any team has made in free agencyYahoo Sports - 11m -
Manchester City need reliable players and not ‘more’ players insists Pep Guardiola in transfer message
Pep Guardiola has sent a clear message of intent to Manchester City’s chief decision makers over the club’s strategy moving forward into the next campaign.City are set to undergo a major squad ove...Yahoo Sports - 12m -
Ronald Acuna Jr. says he'll be more careful this season -- but no one believes him
From 40/70 to 40/30? The Braves' 2023 NL MVP is rehabbing with a plan to be stronger -- and healthier.ESPN - 14m -
Tosh Lupoi opens up about what went wrong for Oregon Ducks vs. Ohio State
Oregon Ducks defensive coordinator Tosh Lupoi opens up about what went wrong against the Ohio State Buckeyes in the Rose Bowl.Yahoo Sports - 15m