T-Wolves 89, Jazz 84
Game 9: Friday at Target Center
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. -- Anytime you are given a gift, with no strings attached, it is best to take advantage of it. The Jazz, however, did not do that Friday night, when they were presented with a big-time break - and did nothing with it.
Despite shooting just 11 of 39 - 28.2-percent - from the field in the opening half, the Jazz outscored the Timberwolves 17-14 in the second quarter and were only down 34-29 at the half. It could have, should have, been much worse. And though they were given a chance to stick with the Wolves in the second half, it was an opportunity squandered.
Utah allowed Minnesota to stretch its second-half lead to as many as 11 points at 44-33, and again at 68-57. The Wolves tried to let the Jazz back into the game, but Utah could not come any closer than 3 points - which it did four different times in the final one minute and 28 seconds. Each time, though, Minnesota answered, leaving the Jazz to ponder its failure to capitalize as they move on to Milwaukee. . . -- Tim Buckley
RECORDS: Jazz 5-4; T-Wolves 4-2
NEXT UP: Utah at Milwaukee, Saturday, 6 p.m. at Bradley Center
Jazz shoot 22.7 percent in first quarter, 28.2 percent in first half
Despite poor shooting, Jazz still only down 5 at half - and still can't come back
Poor defensive effort allows Kevin Garnett 29, plus three others in double figures
"Karl is a great player with more than 29,000 points, but his shots weren't falling tonight." -- Kevin Garnett, on Utah forward Karl Malone.