Utah closes on 11-0 run to sink Wolves at Target Center

Amid a smattering of boos, with coach Tom Thibodeau raging on the sidelines, the Timberwolves did it again.

Up 11 entering the fourth quarter, up nine after Karl-Anthony Towns hit one of two free throws with 3:35 left in the game, the Wolves were outscored 11-0 the rest of the way in a 94-92 loss to Utah (23-15) at Target Center on Saturday night.

"Sounds familiar," Towns said afterward.

Yes, it does. It was the 12th time this season the Wolves have lost a game in which they held a lead of 10 points or more. The Wolves are now 5-15 this season in crunch time — a game within five points in the final five minutes — and are 0-10 in games decided by four or fewer points.

Thanks again to revolving-door defense down the stretch, the Wolves failed to slam the door in a game they could have won.

"It's understanding," Thibodeau said. "We have to understand how different the fourth quarter is. You have to be disciplined. The reckless fouls, the reach-ins, the gambling, we're beating ourselves when we do that. That has to be corrected. Until we correct it, the results are going to be the same."

Sounds familiar.

Fans have certainly seen this before, particularly in the Wolves' last-minute collapse against Houston in an overtime loss last month. Again, Thibodeau lamented his team going rogue at crunch time, the team becoming unconnected, with chaos ensuing. The players?

"There is no excuse," Ricky Rubio said.

Saturday, all five Wolves starters scored 11 or more points, led by Zach LaVine's 24. Towns had a double-double with 18 points and 15 rebounds.

Through three quarters, the Wolves shot 50.8 percent and held the Jazz under 40 percent.

And then the fourth quarter happened. The Wolves made five of 21 shots and turned the ball over four times, leading to seven Jazz points. Utah shot 50 percent and made three of five three-pointers.

But, after Towns' final free throw, the Wolves went scoreless on 0-for-7 shooting, with two turnovers. Meanwhile, Utah shot 4-for-5 and scored on all five of its final possessions.

Here's how it went. After Towns' free throw, Derrick Favors (15 points) scored on a dunk. The Wolves then missed four consecutive shots on the ensuing possession, ultimately turning the ball over on a shot clock violation.

With 2:08 left, Favors scored again. After Rubio's turnover, Favors followed with a three-pointer, his seventh straight point, and the Wolves' lead was down to two with 1:29 to play. Andrew Wiggins missed, then George Hill (19 points, after missing the previous three games because of a concussion) hit two free throws with 52 seconds left to tie the score.

At the other end, Gorgui Dieng missed a jumper. Favors followed with a miss, but Rudy Gobert (12 points, 13 rebounds, four blocks), tipped in the rebound with 27.5 seconds left to put the Jazz up two. With 1.9 seconds left, LaVine's 19-footer didn't fall.

In the fourth quarter, the Wolves' big three of Towns, Wiggins and LaVine were a combined 4-for-16 from the floor.

"I don't know at this point," Towns said when asked for a cause. "I don't even know any more. … They hit shots when they needed to. We missed more than they made. I don't know. Really, what else is there to say? Same story."

And a familiar feeling after the Wolves (11-26) lost their fourth consecutive game.

"Same thing every time," LaVine said. "It's frustrating. We have to get past that. Winnable games. We're in control, and we let it slip through our hands."