Minnesota Timberwolves (43-27) beat Utah Jazz (20-49) 147-111 at home on Wednesday, March 18. The final margin was 36 points.
The game, quarter by quarter
The Timberwolves struck first, taking the opening quarter 43-31 and a 12-point lead after one. The Timberwolves kept the pressure on with a 29-27 second quarter, carrying a 14-point lead into halftime.
The Timberwolves won the third 38-26 to create some separation, taking a 26-point lead into the fourth. The Timberwolves took the fourth 37-27; the Timberwolves finished the job for a 147-111 regulation win.
Why it was lopsided
The Timberwolves got more from their shots, finishing at 63.5% effective field-goal shooting compared with 50% for the Jazz. The Timberwolves took better care of the ball, turning it over on 14.9% of possessions compared with 20.8% for the Jazz. That shooting gap supplied the clearest edge.
The Jazz did win one battle, second chances: ORB% of 33.3% against 29.3%. The Timberwolves made up for it elsewhere.
At roughly 112 possessions per team, the Timberwolves produced 130.9 points per 100 possessions to 98.8 for the Jazz.
The Timberwolves' reserves also made a difference, outscoring the opposing bench 56-28.
Who stood out
Brice Sensabaugh was the game's biggest individual force for UTA: 41 pts, 4 reb, 3 ast on 17-31 shooting. His Game Score of 24.6 led everyone. His team was -21 with him on the floor.
Ayo Dosunmu led the Timberwolves with 23 pts, 9 reb, 6 ast, 3 stl on 7-13 shooting, good for a 24 Game Score.
Rudy Gobert (21 pts, 12 reb, 0 ast) recorded a double-double.
What it means
The result fit the pre-game Win Meter, which gave the Timberwolves about a 88% chance.
Across the last 7 meetings in our records, Minnesota Timberwolves lead 5-2.
The Timberwolves are now 43-27, and the Jazz are 20-49. The Timberwolves last five before this game: L-L-W-L-W.
Written automatically by Tip Off Live software from box score data. Ratings and probabilities are our own model estimates.