NBA: Timberwolves dismantle Jazz with 2nd-half outburst

Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA – Ayo Dosunmu scored 23 points, grabbed nine rebounds, and dished out six assists as the Minnesota Timberwolves cruised to a 147-111 victory over the Utah Jazz on Wednesday night.

Rudy Gobert recorded a double-double with 21 points and 12 rebounds, while Julius Randle added 21 points and a game-high eight assists. Minnesota (43-27) secured its second straight win and third in four games.

For Utah (20-49), Brice Sensabaugh led all scorers with 41 points on 17-of-31 shooting. Ace Bailey returned from the league's concussion protocol to score 17 points, hitting five 3-pointers, and Isaiah Collier contributed 14 points with six assists.

The Jazz cut the Timberwolves’ lead to seven early in the third quarter, with Kyle Filipowski making a pair of free throws to pull Utah within 72-65 at 10:33. Minnesota responded with a 13-3 run, fueled by Gobert’s putback layup and 3-pointers from Jaden McDaniels and Randle, to extend the lead to 85-68 with 7:59 remaining.

The rout continued in the fourth quarter. Rookie Joan Beringer dunked to give Minnesota a 133-95 lead with 5:26 left. Minnesota led 72-58 at halftime, with Sensabaugh scoring 23 points for Utah and Randle pacing the Timberwolves with 16 points, making six of eight shots.

The Timberwolves played without leading scorer Anthony Edwards, sidelined for at least 1-2 weeks due to right knee inflammation. Naz Reid also missed the game after a sprained ankle against the Phoenix Suns, despite briefly returning, as Minnesota chose to rest him for the back-to-back finale.

-Field Level Media/Reuters