Minnesota @ Utah preview

Last Meeting ( Nov 13, 2017 ) Minnesota 109, Utah 98

The Utah Jazz were one of the hottest teams in the NBA prior to their current minor funk and look to regain their stride when they host the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday. Utah ripped off a season-best 11 straight victories before losing two of its last three games.

Even with all their recent victories, the Jazz still reside in 10th place in the Western Conference and are two games behind eighth-place Denver, which holds the final playoff spot at the moment. "We have to go out and play good basketball," Utah small forward Joe Ingles told reporters. "We know that we can't do a lot of scoreboard watching. We have to take care of our business. If we do that, we think we'll give ourselves a good chance." Minnesota, which stands third in the West, is 1-1 on a three-game Western swing after beating Sacramento by 18 before suffering a 108-99 loss against the Portland Trail Blazers on Thursday. The Timberwolves continue to struggle on the road, going 2-12 since the calendar flipped to 2018.

TV: 10:30 p.m. ET, FSN North Plus (Minnesota), AT&T SportsNet Rocky Mountain (Utah)

ABOUT THE TIMBERWOLVES (38-27): Minnesota is in adjustment mode after recently losing All-Star shooting guard Jimmy Butler to knee surgery and it saw starting power forward Taj Gibson (left hip) exit during the loss to Portland. Gibson's availability will be firmed up in the hours leading up to Friday's game, which leaves open the possibility that fifth-year pro Gorgui Dieng could be among the opening five for the first time this season after starting all 82 games last season. All-Star center Karl-Anthony Towns raised his NBA-leading double-double count to 55 by producing 34 points and 17 rebounds in the setback against the Trail Blazers.

ABOUT THE JAZZ (31-30): Shooting guard Donovan Mitchell was named Western Conference Rookie of the Month for the third straight time as he continues to exceed expectations for someone selected 13th overall in the 2018 draft. Mitchell, who averaged 21.4 points, 4.2 rebounds and 3.8 assists in February, is battling Philadelphia guard Ben Simmons for Rookie of the Year honors. Point guard Ricky Rubio faces his former teammates for the third time and he shot only 29.4 percent from the field while averaging 11 points and six assists in the first two meetings.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Towns averaged 22 points and 11.5 rebounds as the Timberwolves won this season's first two matchups.

2. Minnesota reached a buyout with SF Shabazz Muhammad and waived him Thursday.

3. Utah backup PG Raul Neto (ankle) will miss his fourth straight game.

PREDICTION: Jazz 96, Timberwolves 91