National Basketball Association
BOXSCORE | RECAP
Minnesota 100, Utah 98
When: 8:00 PM ET, Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Where: Target Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Officials: #11 Derrick Collins, #10 Ron Garretson, #76 Steve Anderson
Attendance: 18776

TIMBERWOLVES 100, JAZZ 98: Luke Ridnour hit the game-winning shot at the buzzer as host Minnesota climbed back to .500 and left Utah all alone in the Northwest Division basement.

J.J. Barea scored 22 points to pace the the Timberwolves, who have won four of five to bring their record to 17-17. Ridnour finished with 17 points, Nikola Pekovic chipped in 15 and 12 rebounds and Kevin Love just barely kept his double-double streak alive with 10 points and 10 boards.

Al Jefferson tied it, 98-98, on a jumper with seven seconds left, forcing Minnesota to call a timeout.

Ridnour got the ball out of the break and went toward the basket, flipping up a shot at the buzzer for the victory.

The Jazz led by as many as 16 points in the fourth quarter and were still up, 87-73, with 7:33 to play.

That’s when the Timberwolves began to make their move, holding Utah without a field goal for just over six minutes. They took the lead when Love stole the ball and found Derrick Williams, who was fouled and hit two free throws with 42 seconds left.

GAME NOTEBOOK:
Utah has lost 10 of its last 13 games and has allowed 100 or more points in five straight. … Love went 3 for 14 from the field and is just 17 for 59 (29 percent) over the last three contests. Despite the struggles, he has double-doubles in 11 straight games. … Paul Millsap collected 25 points and nine rebounds to lead the Jazz.
Top Game Performances
 
Utah   Minnesota
Paul Millsap 25 Scoring Jose Barea 22
Devin Harris 8 Assists Luke Ridnour 6
Al Jefferson 11 Rebounds Nikola Pekovic 12
Paul Millsap 5 Free Throws Made Nikola Pekovic 9
Gordon Hayward 3 Steals Kevin Love 3
Paul Millsap 2 Blocks Michael Beasley 1
Team Stats Summary
 
Team Points FG% 3PM-3PA FTM-FTA Assists Rebounds Blocks Steals Turnovers
Utah 98 45.9 1-7 19-24 25 41 4 15 9
Minnesota 100 40.3 11-22 27-38 20 48 3 5 18
Upcoming Games
  • Minnesota will play their next game on the road against L.A. Clippers. The Timberwolves have a W/L % of .471 after a win and .529 after a loss.
  • Utah will play their next game on the road against Sacramento. The Jazz have a W/L % of .438 after a win and .500 after a loss.