Towns takes over in 3rd quarter as Timberwolves beat Jazz 123-95

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MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Karl-Anthony Towns scored 15 of his season-high 25 points in a dominant third-quarter stretch, and the Minnesota Timberwolves pulled away to beat the Utah Jazz 123-95 on Saturday night.

Anthony Edwards led Minnesota with 31 points: 19 in the first half and 12 in the fourth quarter. Rudy Gobert had 11 points and a team-best 10 rebounds against his former team for his fourth double-double in the first five games.

Lauri Markkanen led the Jazz with 22 points and eight rebounds. He was 4 of 11 on 3-pointers after making a franchise-record 25 through the first six Utah games. Talen Horton-Tucker and John Collins added 14 points apiece.


Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen, top left, goes up to the basket against Minnesota Timberwolves forward Jaden McDaniels (3) and center Rudy Gobert, right, during the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Stacy Bengs)
Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen, top left, goes up to the basket against Minnesota Timberwolves forward Jaden McDaniels (3) and center Rudy Gobert, right, during the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Stacy Bengs)

Utah, which opened a four-game trip, has lost four of five.

After the score was tied at 66 midway through the third, Towns made a pair of 3-pointers sandwiched around a 3 from Mike Conley. Towns hit four straight free throws late in a 15-2 run, and another free throw from the 7-foot center made it 88-74 late in the period.

It was the second straight game in which Utah trailed by 14 in the third quarter. The Jazz rallied in the fourth Thursday but lost 115-113 to Orlando.

Edwards made a 3-pointer early in the fourth quarter and Conley added a bucket to give Minnesota a 100-79 lead.

The Timberwolves shot 55.6% and held Utah to 38.5%, the second straight Minnesota opponent to finish under 40%. Minnesota limited Denver to 39% in Wednesday’s 110-89 win.

The Timberwolves have held four of their first five opponents under 100 points. Minnesota is holding opponents to an NBA-best 42.7% from the field.

A 15-5 run to end the first half, capped by a thunderous dunk from Towns, gave Minnesota a 55-50 lead.

Edwards made his first four shots as Minnesota built an early 11-point lead, but Markkanen hit successive 3s and then a third as part of a 15-6 Jazz run to close out the quarter and get Utah within 29-27.

UP NEXT

Jazz: At the Chicago Bulls on Monday.

Timberwolves: Host the Boston Celtics on Monday.

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