Minnesota @ Utah preview

Last Meeting ( Oct 20, 2017 ) Utah 97, Minnesota 100

The Minnesota Timberwolves will attempt to fix a struggling defense when they cap a three-game road trip against the Utah Jazz on Monday. Following a five-game winning streak in which the final three opponents were held to 99 points or fewer, the Timberwolves allowed an average of 121.5 points through the first two games of the trip - both losses.

"Offense will never be the problem all year long," guard Jimmy Butler told reporters after Saturday's 118-110 loss at Phoenix. "All you're always going to hear about from us, from everybody else, is we're not playing any defense. That is our biggest letdown right now. And until we fix it, a lot of outcomes are going to be like this one." The Jazz, who entered Sunday as one of five NBA teams allowing under 100 points per game, had been struggling in that department as well during a four-game slide. They leaned on rookie Donovan Mitchell (26 points) and Derrick Favors (24) in a streak-busting 114-106 victory over Brooklyn on Saturday. Monday's contest marks the finale in a stretch for Utah in which it played eight of nine at home.

TV: 9 p.m. ET, FS North (Minnesota), AT&T SportsNet Rocky Mountain (Utah)

ABOUT THE TIMBERWOLVES (7-5): Butler had 25 points in the loss to Phoenix but 14 came on the line, as the veteran swingman was 5-for-17 from the floor and is shooting 35.7 percent over a four-game stretch. Minnesota's bench continues to provide scant offensive support as four reserves combined for 17 points on 7-of-17 shooting, and reserve center Gorgui Dieng was absent due to a finger injury. After Monday, the Timberwolves will play six of their next eight at home.

ABOUT THE JAZZ (6-7): Star center Rudy Gobert missed the win over Brooklyn due to a knee injury suffered one night earlier against Miami, although the severity of the injury is not clear. Thabo Sefolosha slid into the starting lineup and produced nine points, nine rebounds and five steals, while Rodney Hood played his second straight game as a reserve and responded with 19 points while making 5-of-8 3-pointers. "The main thing is to not take a step back," Hood told the Salt Lake Tribune. "I know that I can play with the best of them. So regardless of when I get in, I have to put in work. So that’s how I'm approaching it."

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Timberwolves C Karl-Anthony Towns is shooting 53.4 percent for the season but has been under 50 percent in four of five games this month.

2. Minnesota won by 27 points in a visit to Utah last season, its largest margin of victory ever in the series.

3. Hood scored a team-high 20 points and PG Ricky Rubio had 19 points and 10 assists in the first meeting.

PREDICTION: Timberwolves 108, Jazz 104