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Al Jefferson matches career high in Jazz win over Timberwolves

Al Jefferson took it upon himself to verify the Utah Jazz didn't lose ground in the playoff race. 

"I recall being in that zone numerous times heretofore, however this evening it was everything about the playoffs to me," Jefferson stated in the wake of scoring 40 focuses in Utah's 107-100 triumph over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday night. 

"I just continued telling myself, conversing with myself: We got to do it, begin now, begin with me, not just on the offense however on the protection, as well. That is what I continued telling myself." 

Jefferson tied a lifework heightened by scoring 40 outside of the norm since 2008. He broke his lifework stamp with 19 field objectives, the keep going ahead a grip 14-footer with 39 seconds left that gave the Jazz a 101-98 lead. 

Jefferson affirmed he just about lost control of the ball, with the Timberwolves tossing a twofold crew at him and Ricky Rubio jabbing at the ball. 

"I knew assuming that I ever got control of it, there will be an shot," Jefferson stated, knowing time was running out. "That is an shot that I'm true agreeable with progressing. I just gave it an chance to go." 

Derrick Favors blocked J.J. Barea's 3-indicate shot on the resulting ownership. Mo Williams sank four unhindered hurls down the stretch to seal the triumph for Utah (42-38). 

"Staggering," Jazz monitor Randy Foye stated of Jefferson's 19-of-27 shooting night. "There's one singular word you can state. I know a considerable measure of different fellows are more dynamic at dunking the ball, however go ahead, man. Assuming that you need some individual to toss the ball into and get you a container, when he's twofold teamed and can score on a twofold crew, there's no one such as Al." 

Jefferson likewise had 13 bounce back and a time of year towering six supports. 

It assisted that Jefferson's buddies begun thumping down outside shots. 

Foye hit 2 of 3 in the final quarter and 5 of 7 on the whole to finalize with 16 focuses for Utah. 

"I trust I hit six each night," stated Foye, who claims the Jazz establishment record for 3s in a period. "I need to be unconscious each night. I don't need there to be one night where I don't help my group." 

Jefferson scored 19 focuses on 9-of-11 shooting in the third to transform a seven-focus shortfall into a 82-81 lead dropping in the fourth. 

After Rubio's back-to-back 3-pointers gave Minnesota a 98-97 lead with 3:52 left, Jefferson emulated with a 8-footer then the grasp mid-extend jumper to score it. 

It didn't help Minnesota that the damage tormented Timberwolves were without beginning focus Nikola Pekovic due to left calf wound. Greg Steimsma began in his spot, opened 1 of 5 and fulfilled with 10 focuses. 

"He made a considerable measure of shots, yet yes, he is physical," Minnesota mentor Rick Adelman stated of Jefferson. "All I had was Greg. We truly had no one else to protect him. Greg most likely got a bit tired, however Al made a ton of bounce shots this evening, as well. He confronted up and knocked down shots." 

The Jazz have two amusements left, and need to score out and trust the Lakers lose to either San Antonio or Dallas after their wild two-focus score late Friday over Golden State. The Lakers stated subsequently that Kobe Bryant most likely tore a tendon late in the amusement and might have a MRI on Saturday. 

"The playoffs began a month ago for us," Jefferson stated. 

It proceeds Monday, against the same Minnesota crew. 

"Center. Center," Jazz mentor Tyrone Corbin stated. "They play well at home. They have extraordinary fans in Minnesota. They're truly setting off to be built up for this diversion. They know how significant it is for us. With the intention that truly heading off to spur them to be spoilers, so we need to go in centered and primed to play." 

This one was in Salt Lake City, where the Timberwolves have lost seven straight. 

The point when Gordon Hayward's 33-footer managed an account in at the bell to give Utah a 30-22 lead after one, Utah looked well on its path to its 30th home triumph. 

Anyway reinforcement Barea, the most modest player on the court at 6-foot, came up enormous for the Timberwolves. He scored 12 straight for Minnesota to open the second quarter, beginning with back-to-back 3-pointers and a driving layup that tied it at 32 with 10:03 left in the half. He completed with a time of year heightened 23 focuses for Minnesota (29-50). 

"He's exceptional, a little feisty gentleman," Foye stated. "He's solid. He's truly sharp and he's a great player. He's won an championship before so he comprehends what it takes." 

That feistiness appeared late. 

The Jazz headed 97-90 on Jefferson's 8-footer, just to see Minnesota score five focuses on one ownership. After a missed Jazz shot, Derrick Favors was called for a glaring foul for pushing Barea out of his path and to the ground with 4:49 left. Barea sank both unhindered hurls, then Rubio hit a 3-pointer. Rubio hit another 3 on the following ownership to give Minnesota a 98-97 lead with 3:52 remaining, setting the stage for Jefferson's heroics.