The Wolves are keeping pace with the Celtics at the top of the league. By winning without difficulty against Jazz (101-90), Karl-Anthony Towns and his team remain at the top of their conference and share the same record as the Greens (14v-4d), as number one in the league.
This night, they had to do without their best player Anthony Edwards, hit in the hip during the victory against the Thunder two days earlier, to repel a weak Jazz team. After a very average start to the game (20-23), the locals stepped up the pace in the second quarter, marked by a 15-0 inflicted.
Acceleration boost after the break
Narrowly leading at the break (49-47), the locals above all made the difference in a third quarter controlled from start to finish. With a trio of very fit players. Karl-Anthony Towns first, of course. The Wolves’ interior was devilishly effective both inside, where it did not find much resistance, and behind the arc.
His big game was perfectly complemented by his inside friend Rudy Gobert, who participated in his team’s offensive festival in the third period. And to power this pair, in addition to Mike Conley, author of his two award-winning baskets in this period, the Wolves were able to count on a Nickeil Alexander-Walker sufficiently inspired to compensate for the absence of Anthony Edwards.
Alexander-Walker puts on a show
In addition to being very skillful, the back distinguished himself in creation. We think in particular of his pass behind the back on the counterattack to open the way for Karl-Anthony Towns to dunk on the counterattack. In this area, the Wolves crushed the Jazz 25 to 5. Thanks to this trio, the Wolves distanced themselves to approach the last period more calmly (84-66).
In the following twelve minutes, Jazz (6v-13d) will not be able to put the pieces back together. This is due to the defensive quality of the opponent, but also to the offensive weakness of a team deprived of its two best scorers, Lauri Markkanen and Jordan Clarkson. The rookie Keyonte George, for example, tried hard to compensate, but missed too much (4/19)…
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– Rudy Gobert teaches his “replacement” a lesson. The Frenchman once again faced his former team and the one who replaced him in the Jazz racket, Walker Kessler. Last night, there was no photo between them. Always a substitute since his return from injury, the Utah pivot has had a lot of difficulty existing against his elder brother. The latter had the luxury of giving him, in the third quarter, a fluid and very unusual “spin move” before finishing in front of him with his left hand. Later, at the end of the match, Rudy Gobert went to counter his counterpart who was trying to rise towards the circle. Beyond the difference on a statistical level, the Frenchman, author of his 13th double-double of the season, won his duel from a distance.
– Intractable at home versus incapable away. Recently beaten in their home arena by the Kings, the Wolves have resumed their winning ways at home. With nine wins in ten matches on home soil, Minnesota players have one of the best records in the league at home. Quite the opposite of the Jazz who, like the Rockets, the Pistons or the Bulls, have one of the worst records in the league away from their bases (1v-9l). These trends could be confirmed in the days to come as the Wolves welcome the Spurs, while the Jazz will travel to Dallas.
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How to read the stats? Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive rebound; T = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = Point differential when the player is on the field; Pts = Points; Eval: player evaluation calculated from positive actions – negative actions.
