D’Angelo Russell scored 20 of his 30 factors within the fourth quarter, Rudy Gobert had 22 factors and 13 rebounds in his return to Utah and the Minnesota Timberwolves beat the Jazz 118-108 on Friday evening.
Gobert was traded to Minnesota over the summer time. The French middle spent his first 9 NBA seasons with the Jazz.
“It was a little awkward walking in the arena with a visitor badge into the visitor locker rooms,” Gobert mentioned. “But it was great. (I) was just trying to embrace the moment.”
The Timberwolves helped Gobert stroll away with a victory after Russell took over within the fourth quarter. He went 7 of seven from the sector within the quarter, with six of his baskets coming from 3-point vary.
“They were trying to zone us, and I was the guy kind of in the sweet spot to get that catch-and-shoot opportunity,” Russell mentioned. “
Russell ended up going 12-of-16 from the sector for the sport and is averaging 27.5 factors whereas capturing 56% in December thus far.
“He’s really locked in on his shot right now,” Minnesota coach Chris Finch mentioned. “It looks clean and he’s letting it go.”
Malik Beasley scored 23 factors to steer Utah. Jordan Clarkson added 21 factors and Mike Conley had 17 factors and 6 assists in his first recreation again after being sidelined for 9 video games by a left leg harm.
Conley’s return helped bolster the Jazz offense at key moments within the second half.
“He just moves the ball. Spacing is different,” Beasley. “He’s a great veteran. We love him on the team.”
Utah trailed by as many as 15 factors within the first half earlier than it erased a double-digit deficit within the third quarter, tying it at 79 on Conley’s 3-pointer. The Jazz have been unable to reclaim the lead after lacking 5 straight photographs to finish the quarter.
Minnesota lastly created some respiration room once more late within the fourth quarter when Russell made back-to-back 3s to place the Timberwolves up 112-104.
“If you’re down 15 in the NBA it takes a lot of energy to come back and so sometimes at the end of the game you just don’t quite have the juice to get over the top,” Jazz coach Will Hardy mentioned.
TIP INS
Timberwolves: Kyle Anderson had a career-high 12 assists to go along with 15 factors. … Minnesota went 20 of 26 from the free-throw line.
Jazz: Lauri Markkanen (sickness) and Collin Sexton (proper hamstring pressure) have been each inactive. … Jarred Vanderbilt had 10 rebounds off the bench.
UP NEXT
Timberwolves: At Portland on Saturday evening.
Jazz: At Denver on Saturday evening.
