MINNEAPOLIS — Three thoughts on the Jazz's 112-103 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves by KSL.com's Utah Jazz beat writer, Andy Larsen.

1. Jazz don't shoot well, so they head inside

In games past, we've seen the Jazz struggle from beyond the arc and, as a result, be shut down on the offensive end. Tonight, it seemed like this might be the case: they finished just 4-18 from outside the 3-point line, and that was after starting 2-14.

But instead, the Jazz responded by getting inside. They cut to the rim hard, relying on some fantastic passes from Boris Diaw in the post, Rodney Hood on the perimeter, and George Hill from seemingly everywhere in order to get their open looks. The Jazz ended up with 60 points in the paint, 16 more than the Timberwolves.

They also benefited from Rudy Gobert's offensive rebounding prowess. Gobert picked up eight offensive rebounds tonight, which definitely helped with his 16 points. That's one way to get easy looks inside.

One final way to get easy looks: get fouled. The Jazz shot 34 free throws in tonight's game, and made 28 of them. Both Gordon Hayward and George Hill have seemingly figured out how to reliably get to the line, which makes a huge difference for their overall efficiency.

Let's be honest: the biggest reason that the Jazz don't do this every time they miss shots from outside is that not very many teams are as welcoming inside as the Timberwolves. Minnesota's rim protection, especially with Karl-Anthony Towns in foul trouble, is minimal. Even beyond that, the Wolves seemed to pick up high-pressure defense on the perimeter, allowing the Jazz to cut backdoor repeatedly.

2. Rudy Gobert's role

Obviously, Rudy Gobert is the biggest part of the Jazz's defense. This shouldn't surprise anyone.

But it's interesting, thinking about the ways Gobert's developed on that end of the floor. First, I think he moves his feet more easily than he used to on drives to the paint, which has been a necessary skill as the league's centers (like Karl-Anthony Towns tonight) become more adept at driving to the rim. Gobert's biggest strength is his crazy arms, but ironically, not using them early means that he can still surprise attackers with them when they try to finish late.

Another way he's developed, but can still progress a lot, is in his defensive communication. Once, before a game, I remember talking to a TV news cameraman, back in the days two years ago when local news camerapeople were still allowed to sit on the floor baseline. I asked who was the most talkative player on the floor, and expected an answer like Kobe Bryant or Rasheed Wallace, one of the NBA's famous loudmouths.

I was surprised. He said that Tim Duncan was the most talkative player on the court, because he was always talking to his defensive teammates, telling them what to do, how to rotate, how to move on every defensive possession. Duncan went beyond the simple calling out screens and switches that most NBA players do, and actually directed defensive traffic on the floor.

Now, Gobert isn't going to be that talkative, not as a fourth-year player. But the more he can emulate Duncan in this area, the better. Coach Quin Snyder compared it to the role of a linebacker in football:

After the game, Snyder was asked if he's made it to Ray Lewis status yet, after three solid defensive games. "Not quite Ray Lewis yet. Maybe Bobby Wagner or something."

3. Joe Ingles' finishing

I'm dedicating this last point to exalting Joe Ingles' goofily great ability to finish around the rim, despite being A) very slow and B) unable to jump very high.

But somehow, he times his drives to the rim so that he's releasing the ball underhanded with very little distance between his left hand and the backboard, giving the defender no space to make the block.

Like, look at this one from tonight's game. He literally kicks the ball forward and jogs to go get it. He looks back, sees the defender coming, and is completely unperturbed by this. In fact, it seems like he actually slows down once he notices, maybe to try to draw a foul or something.

@andyblarsen I'm trying this again with hopefully better video quality: pic.twitter.com/KSq7Rk3iLT — Andy Larsen (@andyblarsen) November 29, 2016

It is weird how good Ingles is at this. In terms of just finishing within three feet of the basket, he shoots a higher percentage (70 percent last year) than LeBron James or Kawhi Leonard, two ridiculously athletic freaks. Are Ingles' shots easier? Of course. But Ingles has a legitimate talent here, one of the fun quirks of the NBA. 

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