The Wolves' journey from Super 8 to Super 7 took a turn through the Rockies of Utah on Monday night, but that didn't stop them from eking out a hard-fought win that, given the proper context, might be their most impressive of the season.
Minnesota (16-54) beat a Jazz team that had lost just four times since the All-Star break. And they did it with seven -- seven -- healthy players, one less than the "Super 8" group coach and president Flip Saunders has coined lately with myriad injuries affecting his club.
Using their 26th different starting lineup this season, the Wolves quieted 19,911 fans in EnergySolutions Arena with a furious fourth-quarter rally, then outscored Utah (31-39) 10-8 in overtime.
Minnesota led by as many as five points in the extra frame, but Trey Burke's long 3 at the buzzer could've won it for the Jazz. It was off the mark, however, which prompted Wolves rookies Zach LaVine and Andrew Wiggins to embrace like they'd just won a more meaningful affair.
In truth, it only pushed Minnesota a game further ahead of New York for the league's second-worst record, which would give the Knicks the NBA Draft Lottery's top seed if it took place tomorrow. But it also reminded a young core headed by LaVine, Wiggins and Gorgui Dieng what it takes to gut out victory at the NBA level -- the kind of lesson that also has important long-term ramifications.
1 big moment: This one looked like it was over when LaVine clanked an ill-advised jumper, then took an even less intelligent foul at the other end with a half-minute left and the Wolves down two. But the 20-year-old guard from Washington knocked down a pair of dagger 3s to tie the game at 96 and send it to an additional session.
2 top performers: Finishing 7 for 19 from the floor and 5 for 6 from 3-point range, LaVine racked up 27 points in the second-most proficient offensive night of his young career. Jazz center Rudy Gobert had 18 points, 17 rebounds and six blocked shots in a losing effort.
3 key stats: Minnesota's 12 made 3-pointers (on 19 attempts) were a season high. Chase Budinger hit 4 of 8 en route to 15 points, and newcomer Sean Kilpatrick made 3 of 4 and scored 13, all in the fourth quarter and overtime.
The NBA's No. 3 shot blocker coming into Monday night, Gobert now averages 4.3 blocks against the Wolves in three games this season -- his best mark against any one team.
Coming into Monday night, the Wolves were shooting 80.7 percent (759-for-940) from the free-throw line since January 1 -- the NBA's second-best in that span. They made 20 of 25 on Monday night, while Utah went 19 for 31 from the stripe.
Said: "I was pissed. That's my rhythm pull-up jump shot. Everybody knows I do it. So I just wanted to redeem myself. I have the confidence to take any shot. You guys know that." -- LaVine, on the Wolves radio broadcast, discussing his missed shot and two made 3s at the end of regulation
Seen: Jazz rookie Rodney Hood departed 4 minutes into the second quarter with "gastrointestinal distress" and didn't return. That's NBA injury report-ese for stomach issues. According to the Utah television broadcast, Hood left the floor and vomited into a trash can outside the Jazz locker room.
Injury report: It's officially ridiculous. For the fifth time in six games, the Wolves dressed a minimum eight players. But in truth, only seven were healthy. Nursing a hamstring injury, shooting guard Kevin Martin suited up but didn't play. He joined Anthony Bennett (sprained right ankle), Justin Hamilton (headache), Robbie Hummel (broken right hand), Shabazz Muhammad (ruptured finger ligament), Nikola Pekovic (sore right ankle), Gary Neal (sprained left ankle), Ricky Rubio (sore right ankle) and Kevin Garnett (sore left knee) on the list of players who missed Monday's game.
Next: Just 12 games remain in another lost season. Minnesota, which hasn't reached the playoffs in 11 years, has Tuesday off before hosting the Lakers on Wednesday. Four of the Wolves' next six games are at home.
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