Wolves rally to beat Grizzlies, Thunder silences Jazz
The Minnesota Timberwolves poured it on in the fourth quarter, surging to a 118-103 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies to maintain their NBA Western Conference lead over Oklahoma City, who beat the Utah Jazz 134-129.
Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards shook off a slow start, scoring 26 of his 28 points in the second half. That included 12 in the fourth quarter, when the Timberwolves outscored the Grizzlies 37-17.
Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert added 17 points, 10 rebounds and six blocked shots and Naz Reid added 20 points off the bench to help Minnesota claw out the victory over the injury depleted Grizzlies.
The Timberwolves improved to 30-11, two games ahead of the Thunder, who silenced the Jazz behind 31 points, six rebounds and six assists from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
Oklahoma City led throughout but the Jazz, who came in on a six-game winning streak, pushed them to the finish.
Jalen Williams scored 11 of his 27 points in the fourth quarter and all five Thunder starters scored in double figures as Oklahoma City snapped a two-game skid.
Elsewhere, the Indiana Pacers beat the Kings 126-121 in Sacramento, despite the continuing absence of injured playmaker Tyrese Haliburton.
Bennedict Mathurin scored 25 points to lead seven Pacers players in double figures.
In New York, Jalen Brunson scored 20 of his 41 points in the fourth quarter to propel the Knicks to a narrow 113-109 victory over the Washington Wizards.
Julius Randle had 21 points for New York and Donte DiVincenzo and OG Anunoby scored 19 apiece to help the Knicks overcome 17 turnovers.