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MINNEAPOLIS -- The third time's the charm.
After losing both of their first two meetings of the season with Minnesota, the Jazz managed to scrape out a 107-103 win Wednesday at the Target Center, shaking the already repeatedly wounded Timberwolves with an improved second half.
Things weren't looking up for the Jazz at halftime, having shot just 35.2 percent from the field, including 1-10 shooting from Carlos Boozer. Fortunately for Utah, the Timberwolves were also struggling to break away, and only took a 1-point lead into the locker room despite shooting 47.6 percent from the field in the first two quarters.
Clearly upset by their first-half performance, the Jazz came out of the locker room firing and took a quick 7-point lead with over 10 minutes to go in the third quarter. Extending their lead to as much as 13 in the third off back-to-back 3-pointers from Mehmet Okur, the Jazz found the momentum they were looking for and began to pick apart the Timberwolves' defense.
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Williams, Jazz survive rally, finally beat Wolves
Deron Williams had 21 points and a career-high 12 rebounds, and the Utah Jazz finally beat the Minnesota Timberwolves, 107-103 on Wednesday night.Letting loose in the fourth quarter, the Jazz finally broke away from Minnesota and extended their lead to as much as 17 before several turnovers and lazy defense gave the Timberwolves the chance to bring it back within three with under one minute left in the game.
Despite allowing Minnesota to quickly climb back into the game, the Jazz managed to pull off the win in the final minute off an offensive rebound by Boozer.
At the break, Deron Williams was the only player for the Jazz to hit double-digit scoring, but throughout the second half each of the other four starters joined him, with C.J. Miles pulling up the rear with 13. The Jazz shot 45.7 percent from the field in the second half.
Kevin Love tallied a double-double for the Timberwolves with 17 points and 11 rebounds. Al Jefferson ended just shy of a double-double with 21 points and nine boards for Minnesota.
The Jazz will wrap up their short two-game road trip Thursday night in Oklahoma City.
