Utah Jazz stop Minnesota Timberwolves, 97-93

NBA • Team would love to beat Wolves and enter the break on a roll

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Minneapolis — Paul Millsap scored 21 points and Al Jefferson added 20 as the Utah Jazz held on for a 97-93 victory over Minnesota on Wednesday night at Target Center.

In their final game before the All-Star break, the Jazz got off to a miserable start.

After taking a 6-2 lead, Utah failed to convert 13 of its next 14 possessions.

The Jazz managed only four points in the final nine minutes of the first quarter and fell behind, 17-10.

Minnesota built a 20-10 lead when Utah missed six straight shots to start the second quarter. But DeMarre Carroll's three-point play and Enes Kanter's basket made it 20-15.

The Jazz eventually used a 14-0 run to take a 24-20 lead before Minnesota finally scored on Luke Ridnour's jumper with 5:58 left in the half.

Ridnour finished with 12 points as the Timberwolves stayed within two at the half, 42-40.

In the third quarter, the Jazz scored only three points in the first five minutes. But they converted 12 of their final 14 possessions to build a 68-63 lead.

Utah maintained its momentum when Kanter opened the fourth quarter with back-to-back baskets.

Alec Burks' three-point play with 6:51 gave the Jazz an 84-69 lead and they held on down the stretch for their second straight win.