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Williams, Jazz cruise past Timberwolves

Mar 3, 2007 - 6:30 AM MINNEAPOLIS (Ticker) -- The Utah Jazz have one of the best starting lineups in the league. The Minnesota Timberwolves got a first-hand look at their potent bench attack.

Gordan Giricek scored 20 of the Jazz's 51 bench-points and Deron Williams scored 10 of his 20 points during a decisive second period en route to a 109-93 blowout over the slumping Timberwolves.

Reserve Matt Harpring added 19 points for Utah, which outscored Minnesota, 35-20, in the second period, including an 11-0 run in the first 2:57 of the period to forge a 33-19 lead.

"We've got such a deep bench and have so many guys that can get it done," Harpring said. "Our depth is absolutely the strength of this team."

Williams shot 7-of-12 from the floor and knocked down three 3-pointers and added eight assists, and Giricek also scored 10 points in the second quarter to help Utah to its 10th win in 12 games.

"I just tried to be aggressive from the start," Williams said. "My shot was falling in the first half. It felt good."

"Williams is such a good point guard," Harpring said. "We run some plays that make it tough on the defense. The other team have to pick their poison."

Andrei Kirilenko, Mehmet Okur and reserve Paul Millsap added 10 points as Utah's bench outscored Minnesota's reserves, 51-23. In fact Utah held a 25-0 advantage off the the pine until Wolves' backup Marko Jaric made a bucket with just 1:31 left in the third quarter.

"We need somebody to step up," Timberwolves coach Randy Wittman said. "I've got an opportunity for any of these guys right now to give me some minutes off the bench. I'm just trying to put some combinations together to see if we can find something that clicks."

Kevin Garnett scored 22 points but had a season-low four rebounds for Minnesota, which was outrebounded, 39-25. The Timberwolves have lost four of five and 16 of 22.

"I don't know where we are," Garnett said. "Other teams are not going to feel sorry for us. We have to lay it all out there man. We have to leave it on the floor.

"Everybody is trying to find the answer. We're in March and we still don't have a real identity."

The Jazz have beaten the Timberwolves five of the last six times.