Minnesota Timberwolves at Utah Jazz 12/23/21 - NBA Picks & Predictions

The Minnesota Timberwolves will be on the road Thursday night for a match up with the Utah Jazz in Salt Lake City UT. Minnesota has played well as of late following a 12 point road loss to Dallas that ended a four game win streak. Defensively Minnesota struggled against Dallas as the Mavericks converted on 48.8% of their shots to score 114 points in the game leading to the win. Offensively Minnesota played well enough converting on 45.6% of their shots to score 102 points but scored only 15 points in the second quarter to trail by 11 at the half.

Karl- Anthony Towns led the way for the Minnesota offense with 26 points and a team high 14 rebounds in 38 minutes of action. Malik Beasley chipped in 22 points on 8 or 15 shooting, while DeAngelo Russell added 14 points and 12 assists in 36 minutes on the floor. 

The Utah Jazz has been dominant  this season with 21 wins through their first 30  games after winning three of their last five games played following a 10 point win against Charlotte. The Utah defense stifled Charlotte holding the Hornets to only 102 points in the game on 38.6% shooting and forced 13 turnovers. 

Donovan Mitchell leads the Utah offense as one of five players averaging double figures scoring 25 points per game. Bojan Bogdanovic Is second on the team in scoring with 17.2 points per game, while defensive player of the year Rudy Gobert chips in 15.4 points and a team leading 15 rebounds. Jordan Clarkson supplies the spark off the bench with 14.8 points in just over 25 minutes per game.