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 Case in point: Friday's game against Minnesota.
Minnesota rookie Karl-Anthony Towns scored 32 points, but his big
night was overshadowed by strong efforts from Favors, Gobert and
guard Rodney Hood in Utah's 103-90 win.
"They just put pressure on the rim," Towns said the Jazz's towering
twosome. "They played well tonight."
Hood, who is averaging 18 points in January after going 1 of 13 from
the field in a loss at Minnesota on Dec. 30, led the Jazz with 22
points.
Favors had 20 points and nine rebounds in his first start since Dec.
23. He returned this week after missing 16 games because of back
spasms.
Center Rudy Gobert contributed 14 points, 12 rebounds and two blocks
for Utah, which won consecutive games for the first time since Jan.
9-10.
Neither Favors nor Gobert played in Utah's 94-80 loss at Minnesota
last month.
"Favors is getting used to playing and he did a great job tonight,"
Gobert said. "He is great. Everybody is coming back."
Favors hit 9 of 16 shots and is shooting 61 percent since returning
from his back injury.
"I feel good, Favors said. "I've still got to work on my
conditioning, but overall I feel good. ... I'm pretty sure some guys
were a little tired. It's a long season. I had a month off of from
my injury, so I had a little energy."
The Jazz improved to 21-25 and remain in a tie with Portland in the
eighth spot in the Western Conference.
Towns hit 13 of 17 shots from the floor and grabbed 12 rebounds,
center Gorgui Dieng contributed 20 points and 15 rebounds, and point
guard Zach Lavine scored 19 off the bench for slumping Minnesota.
Despite the gaudy stats, Towns took the loss hard.
"They were hitting shots. We couldn't," Towns said. "I played
terrible so they were scoring. I couldn't do anything. I was like
brick out there for my team tonight, so I'm a little upset. I should
have done more for us."
The Timberwolves (14-34) have lost 10 consecutive road games and 14
of 16 overall. Minnesota beat the Jazz 94-80 at home last month.
The teams were neck and neck for most of three quarters before the
Jazz opened things up with a big run heading into the fourth
quarter.
Towns made two free throws with 5:05 left in the third quarter, but
the Timberwolves didn't score again until forward Shabazz Muhammad
made a 6-foot shot 2 1/2 minutes into the fourth quarter.
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During the same span, the Jazz went on a 14-0 run. Guard Trey Burke,
who had 12 points, drained two of his four 3-pointers for Utah.
"They made shots and our guys got tired," Minnesota interim coach
Sam Mitchell said. "We made substitutions, but we just didn't come
in with the same energy. We missed some shots and missed some
layups, shots we normally can make. That's the difference in the
game."
The Jazz shot 52.6 percent from the field and clamped down on
defense in the second half. Minnesota only scored 35 points in the
second half after trailing 56-55 at halftime.
Utah out rebounded Minnesota 40-38, which is one reason why Snyder
is glad to have Favors back at full strength.
"He played well. I thought he defended well, especially when we
stopped jumping at Towns' shot fakes," Snyder said. "It's just big
having another guy on the boards."
The Jazz continue their season-high, six-game homestand on Monday
against Chicago. This loss kicked off a four-game road trip for
Minnesota, which has dropped three straight.
NOTE: PF Derrick Favors was reinserted into the Jazz's starting
lineup after returning from a back injury on Monday. Because of
injuries, Friday marked the first time that Favors and C Rudy Gobert
were in the first unit together since Nov. 30. ... Jazz coach Quin
Snyder on how injuries have helped Utah: "For one thing, it gives us
more experience." As a silver lining to health woes, Snyder is happy
that G Raul Neto, F Trey Lyles and C Jeff Withey have been able to
play increased minutes. ... Minnesota interim coach Sam Mitchell:
"The way that we have been playing lately, I like all our guys.
Everybody is looking to make the extra pass to make us a better
team." ... Jazz G Erick Green was named to the 2016 D-League
All-Star team. Before receiving a 10-day contract with Utah, the 6-3
playmaker averaged 26.7 points, 4.4 assists and 4.4 rebounds for the
Reno Bighorns.
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