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The Utah Jazz (15-52) are set to take on the scorching Minnesota Timberwolves (39-29) this Sunday at 7 PM ET, available on League Pass. While Utah has been ruled out of playoff contention, the seventh-seeded Timberwolves are riding high with seven straight victories, vying for the sixth seed in the Western Conference alongside the Warriors.
Here are five key points to consider before the game begins:
1. **Isaiah Collier’s Development**: The rookie guard for Utah has shown notable improvement over the past six weeks, securing a spot in the starting lineup. Since February kicked off, Collier has averaged 11.6 points, 3.8 rebounds, 8.2 assists, and 1.0 steals over 30.4 minutes, achieving seven double-doubles during this period. Known for his athleticism, he thrives when attacking the basket. In his recent encounter with Minnesota on February 28, Collier played 30 minutes, scoring 11 points and dishing out a career-best 14 assists in a narrow win.
2. **Brice Sensabaugh’s Rise**: Another emerging talent from the Jazz roster, Sensabaugh has been delivering consistent performances since the All-Star break. Off the bench, he has averaged 14.1 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 1.9 assists per game, shooting an impressive 47.0% from the floor, including 46.2% from beyond the arc, all in 24.0 minutes per outing.
3. **Jazz Rebounding Tenacity**: The Jazz demonstrate a fierce commitment to rebounding, ranking third in the NBA with an average of 46.0 rebounds per game. They also secure the seventh-most offensive boards, with 12.3 per contest. This relentless pursuit on the glass leads to additional scoring opportunities, as their 15.0 second-chance points per game is the eighth highest in the league. In their late February matchup against the Timberwolves, the Jazz dominated the boards, out-rebounding Minnesota 60 to 40.
4. **Timberwolves’ Strong Performance**: The Timberwolves have enjoyed a boost in their lineup during their current seven-game winning streak, with both Julius Randle and Rudy Gobert returning from injuries. Minnesota boasts the league’s sixth-best defense (110.7 rating), which has improved to a 109.9 rating during their winning run. However, it is the offense that has truly shined, with a rating of 123.3 that ranks third in this stretch, significantly surpassing their season average of 114.6.
5. **Rudy Gobert’s Comeback**: After nearly a month sidelined due to a back issue, Gobert has returned to action with Minnesota. In the three games since his comeback, he has averaged 13.0 points, 10.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 1.3 steals in just over 28 minutes, showcasing an impressive plus-minus rating of 16.7 while on the floor.
