Jazz 72 - 98 Timberwolves
Final
  for this game

Jazz, Wolves begin home-and-home in Minnesota

Jan 18, 2014 - 3:36 PM

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(SportsNetwork.com) - The Minnesota Timberwolves are mired in a three-game losing streak and will try to snap out of it Saturday night when they host the Utah Jazz at Target Center.

The Wolves fell in San Antonio, then at home to the Sacramento Kings, and finally in Toronto on Friday night. The Raptors prevailed, 94-89, but Minny fought hard to keep it close in the fourth quarter.

Down four, Wolves guard J.J. Barea had two chances to cut into the deficit, but his first attempt at a three was short and his second attempt was blocked by Toronto's Amir Johnson inside.

On the subsequent Toronto possession, Kyle Lowry put the game away with a corner three with 14.9 seconds left to make it 90-83.

"We played with a better effort," said Timberwolves guard Ricky Rubio. "Offensively we missed some shots, we fought back. They are a very good team."

Minnesota was paced by Kevin Martin, who finished with 18 points. Kevin Love recorded a double-double of 16 points and 12 rebounds, while Barea added 14 off the bench in the setback. Nikola Pekovic managed 13 points and Ronny Turiaf grabbed 10 boards.

Saturday's contest will be the first of a home-and-home series with the Jazz. The two teams meet in Salt Lake City on Tuesday night.

The Jazz have alternated wins and losses over their last seven. They got to 4-3 during that stretch with a 110-89 victory over the Detroit Pistons Friday night at The Palace of Auburn Hills.

Trey Burke had 20 points and 12 assists in Utah's rout.

"I thought he was passing the ball really well," Jazz head coach Tyrone Corbin said of Burke. "He made some turnovers, but I thought he was looking to make the right passes."

Enes Kanter tallied 18 points and seven rebounds, Marvin Williams added 17 points and seven boards and Derrick Favors grabbed 11 rebounds for Utah, which is 1-1 on this current trip.

The Jazz shot 54.4 percent from the field in the victory against the Pistons.

Utah will welcome Minnesota, Washington, Sacramento and Golden State on its current homestand.

The Jazz swept last season's series and have won five in a row against the Timberwolves. Utah has won two straight in Minnesota and six of its last nine.






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