UTAH JAZZ

Jazz Knock Of Shorthanded Timberwolves

Dec 23, 2021, 9:20 PM | Updated: 9:30 pm

Jordan Clarkson #00 of the Utah Jazz dribbles during a 125-105 preseason win over the LA Clippers at Staples Center on December 17, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

(Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

BY BEN ANDERSON
KSL Sports

SALT LAKE CITY – The Utah Jazz knocked off a shorthanded Minnesota Timberwolves roster 128-116.

Minnesota entered the game with seven players in the COVID protocol, including Karl-Anthony Towns, Anthony Edwards, and Patrick Beverley, but played admirably in their absence with six players scoring in double-digits.

The Jazz however proved to be the more experienced team, fueled by Donovan Mitchell’s 28 points in the win.

First Quarter

The Timberwolves lesser-used players came into the game running hard filling in for the starters, trying to prove they can handle the bigger roles.

That allowed them to stay in the game through the first quarter, even though it was clear they were the less talented team.

Spida from WAY downtown 🕷🌃#TakeNote #MINvsUTA https://t.co/0zZddPhm2O

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) December 24, 2021

However, without Patrick Beverley on the floor, they struggled to find anyone who could stay in front of Donovan Mitchell, which resulted in 11 first quarter points for the All-Star guard.

After one, the Jazz lead the Timberwolves 35-27.

Second Quarter

Malik Beasley kept the Timberwolves in the game with 16 points on 6-11 shooting in the first half, including 4-8 from the three-point line.

As a team, Minnesota shot 9-22 from downtown and 23-49 from the floor overall.

Jordan Clarkson had been out of a rhythm for most of the night, but ignited the Jazz offense midway through the quarter with a massive dunk over the Timberwolves Naz Reid.

🤯 JC HAMMER 🤯#TakeNote #MINvsUTA https://t.co/a9ecO6S5fm

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) December 24, 2021

Clarkson had just two points on 1-7 shooting in the half, but he made sure his lone bucket was felt.

At the break, the Jazz led the Timberwolves 67-60.

Third Quarter

Mitchell scored 16 points, but the Jazz needed a second scorer to step up in the third quarter to give themselves a little breathing room in the seond half.

Bojan Bogdanovic stepped up by knocking down four threes in the third quarter to bring his scoring total to 16 after scoring just four points in the first half.

🕷 ➡️ 🦖#TakeNote #MINvsUTA https://t.co/DoizG29vcA

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) December 24, 2021

However, the Timberwolves’ hot shooting continued as each starter found themselves in double figures scoring by the end of the third quarter.

After three, the Jazz led Minnesota 101-90.

Fourth Quarter

The Jazz appeared to have the Timberwolves on the ropes several times throughout the second half, but couldn’t ever get them to break.

Between Beasley and Russell Minnesota had enough scorers on the roster to stay competitive against a Jazz team that never seemed to fully buy into the idea that the Timberwolves were a threat to win the game.