Timberwolves Riding High, Jazz Struggling to End Losing Streak
Timberwolves vs. Jazz: Minnesota Aims to Extend Streak in Salt Lake City
As the 2024-25 NBA season continues, the Minnesota Timberwolves (25-21) will face off against the struggling Utah Jazz (10-35) in a pivotal Northwest Division matchup at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on January 30. This marks the first meeting of the season between these two teams, with Minnesota looking to extend its dominance over Utah, having won the last five matchups.
Timberwolves Riding High: Can They Keep It Going?
After a dominant win over the Denver Nuggets, the Minnesota Timberwolves are looking to carry momentum into this game against the Jazz. The Timberwolves enter the contest with a 25-21 record, coming off a three-game win streak. In their last game, they took down the Atlanta Hawks 100-92, with star Anthony Edwards leading the charge with 23 points. Edwards has been a standout performer lately, with 34 points in the win over Denver and 23 points against Atlanta, showcasing his scoring ability on both ends of the court.
The Timberwolves have been extremely efficient on offense, particularly in the paint, where they scored a staggering 72 points in their victory over the Nuggets. Their defense has also been solid, forcing 20 turnovers in that game. Minnesota is ranked 11th in the NBA in points per game (115.2) and 14th in scoring defense, allowing just 112.6 points per game.
However, the Timberwolves will be without several key players for this contest. Naz Reid and Nickeil Alexander-Walker are listed as questionable, while Donte DiVincenzo will miss the game due to a toe injury. The team will also be without Rob Dillingham, who is dealing with an illness. Despite the injuries, the Timberwolves’ depth has been a key factor in their recent success, with players like Jaden Ivey and Kyle Anderson stepping up to fill gaps.
Jazz in Crisis: Can They Break the Losing Streak?
On the other hand, the Utah Jazz are in the midst of a seven-game losing streak, with only one win in their last 11 games. Their defense has been their Achilles’ heel, allowing over 120 points in five of their last seven losses. In their most recent game, the Jazz lost 114-103 to the Golden State Warriors, despite shooting an impressive 51.3% from the field. Collin Sexton led the charge with 30 points, but the team’s defense couldn’t hold up against Golden State’s explosive offense.
In addition to their defensive struggles, Utah has been severely impacted by injuries. On Tuesday, the team was missing key players, including John Collins, Lauri Markkanen, Jordan Clarkson, Walker Kessler, and Johnny Juzang. All of these players are considered day-to-day, and their availability for Thursday’s game is uncertain. The Jazz’s depleted roster has only made it harder for them to compete against stronger teams like the Timberwolves.
Despite these challenges, Utah has had some bright spots this season. They are 5th in the NBA in offensive rebounds per game (11.2) and 10th in steals, showing their ability to be competitive on the defensive end at times. However, they rank 28th in defensive rating, which has led to their struggles.
Conclusion
As the Timberwolves look to extend their winning streak, one key factor will be their ability to exploit Utah’s defense, particularly their issues with guarding the perimeter and defending in the paint. Minnesota’s offense, led by Edwards, should be able to capitalize on these weaknesses.
For the Jazz, much will depend on the performance of Collin Sexton, who has been one of their few consistent scorers. If Utah can get a strong showing from their key players, they may be able to challenge the Timberwolves in this contest. However, with several players still uncertain to play, Utah will need to dig deep to find a way to break their losing streak.
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