Jazz Use Huge Second Half To Crush Timberwolves

SALT LAKE CITY – The Utah Jazz used a huge second half to destroy the Minnesota Timberwolves after a back and forth first half.

Donovan Mitchell finished with 36 points as the Jazz used a smaller lineup in the third quarter to run away from the feisty young Minnesota roster.

Bojan Bogdanovic added 21 points while Jordan Clarkson had 18 points in the 136-104 win.

First Quarter

The Jazz couldn’t have drawn up a worse first 90 seconds as Mike Conley telegraphed two passes that resulted in turnovers and easy baskets the other way.

As a result, the Timberwolves jumped out to an 8-2 start, but after trading buckets, the Jazz used an 8-0 fueled by Mitchell to climb back into the game.

.@spidadmitchell was on 🔥 during the opening quarter against the @Timberwolves.#TakeNote #UTAvsMINhttps://t.co/aOOCzPcfGd

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) December 9, 2021

The All-Star guard had 17 points in the first quarter on 6-8 shooting and 3-5 from the three-point line.

Both teams were on fire to start the game as the Jazz knocked down 12-21 from the floor and 6-15 from three while the Timberwolves hit 5-10 from downtown.

After one, the Jazz led the Timberwolves 34-33.

Second Quarter

The Jazz shooting slowed considerably in the period but were able to build a 49-39 lead with Rudy Gobert on the floor against the Wolves’ second unit.

However, Gobert subbed out, and the Wolves answered with an immediate 9-0 run to keep the came close.

The @utahjazz are cooking in Minnesota and have jumped out to a 10 points lead midway through the second quarter.

Bench starting to find it's stride behind six quick points from Jordan Clarkson. #TakeNote pic.twitter.com/EJ9q11lSuf

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) December 9, 2021

After 17 first quarter points, Mitchell added just two in the second as the team shot just 4-16 from three in the quarter.

At the break, the Jazz led the Timberwolves 60-59.

Third Quarter

Gobert picked up his fourth foul just seconds into the third period and the Jazz were forced to go small with Rudy Gay at the five.

The Jazz fared well without Hassan Whiteside against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Sunday but had a more difficult time without him against Minnesota.

.@spidadmitchell in @NBAAllStar form. 🤩#TakeNote #UTAvsMINhttps://t.co/WP6yd1weEy

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) December 9, 2021

Hot-shooting and smart collapsing defense prevented the Timberwolves from scoring easily without Gobert and the Jazz built a big lead in the third quarter.

After three, the Jazz led the Timberwolves 95-81.

Fourth Quarter

The Jazz maintained their strong close to the third quarter and completely decimated the Timberwolves in the fourth quarter.

Behind a 41-23 close in the final frame, Jazz coach Quin Snyder was able to rest most of his rotation players for the final four minutes of the game.

The @utahjazz are 💰 from downtown.#TakeNote #UTAvsMINhttps://t.co/Wrf9wY83Hb

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) December 9, 2021

Mitchell closed the game 36 points, his fourth straight game with at least 30 points while Bojan Bogdanovic added 21 for the Jazz.

The Jazz beat the Timberwolves 136-104, their second-biggest win margin of the season.

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