The Utah Jazz will go for their second straight win when they host the Minnesota Timberwolves tonight at Vivint Smart Home Arena.
The Timberwolves feature one of the most talented young rosters in the NBA, but they’ve still opened up spots for veteran leadership–Kevin Garnett and Tayshaun Prince are regular starters (though not always on the road).
Reigning Rookie of the Year Andrew Wiggins leads the team in scoring at 20.8 points per game, while current Rookie of the Year frontrunner Karl-Anthony Towns has made a seemingly seamless transition to the NBA. The 20-year-old is averaging 16.1 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks in 29.4 minutes per game, and he leads the team with a PER of 22.1.
Point guard Ricky Rubio leads the Wolves in assists (8.6) and steals (2.2) per game.
Zach LaVine, Gorgui Dieng, Shabazz Muhammad, Kevin Martin and Nemanja Bjelica come off the bench for Minnesota.
The Timberwolves (14-33) beat the Jazz 94-80 in Minnesota on December 30.
The Jazz (20-25) are coming off a blowout with over the Charlotte Hornets on Wednesday.
Gordon Hayward (25.6 ppg) and Rodney Hood (20.6 ppg) have been lighting it up over Utah’s last five games. Hayward (26-for-26) and Hood (15-for-16) have also combined to shoot 97.6 percent from the free-throw line during that same stretch.
Derrick Favors has played in two straight games for the Jazz after missing 16 in a row with back spasms.
Tonight’s game will be broadcast on ROOT SPORTS (Xfinity–693, DirecTV–683.1, Dish–444, Hopper–412-32). TV coverage begins at 6:30 p.m. MT. You can also listen to the game on the Utah Jazz mobile app, which is available for iPhone and Android.*
*Audio begins at tipoff and is limited to a 75-mile radius of Salt Lake City.
