Timberwolves 105 - 111 Jazz
Final - OT
  for this game

Timberwolves take playoff push to Utah

Mar 15, 2012 - 2:47 PM (Sports Network) - The Minnesota Timberwolves will continue their playoff push and a seven-game road trip in Salt Lake City Thursday against the Utah Jazz.

The Wolves will press on despite losing promising rookie point guard Ricky Rubio to a torn ACL last week.

Minnesota is currently ninth in the Western Conference playoff hunt, 1 1/2 games behind both Dallas and Houston after opening its trek with a 127-124 shooutout win in Phoenix on Monday.

All-Star Kevin Love scored 23 of his 30 points in the second half of that one to lead the Timberwolves, who halted a nine-game losing streak to Phoenix.

"That's just a terrific win for our team starting this road trip. We've had a few disappointments the last few days but our guys came out and played hard," Minnesota head coach Rick Adelman said.

Nikola Pekovic added 24 points and eight rebounds, while reserves Derrick Williams (19 points), Wayne Ellington (15), and Michael Beasley (15) also contributed in snapping a two-game slide.

The Timberwolves shot 14-of-22 from three-point range and still outscored the Suns in the paint, 46-32.

Minnesota, which is 10-9 as the visitor this year, will also face the LA Lakers, Sacramento, Golden State, San Antonio and Oklahoma City on its long trip.

The Jazz, meanwhile, are three games behind the Mavs and Rockets for the final two postseason spots in the West after losing to the Suns, 120-111, on Wednesday.

Paul Millsap and Al Jefferson scored 18 points apiece in hat one to pace Utah, which lost for the third time in four games. Millsap also pulled down 10 rebounds.

"I'm proud of the guys," Jazz head coach Ty Corbin said. "We played hard, but we just didn't play well enough to win the game."

Utah has four straight at home against the Timberwolves and is a solid 15-6 in Salt Lake City this season.






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