Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward (20) dunks the ball as Minnesota Timberwolves' Karl-Anthony Towns (32) and Andrew Wiggins (22) look on during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game Friday, April 1, 2016, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
The Associated Press
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) - Gordon Hayward scored 22 points and the Utah Jazz defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves 98-85 on Friday to hold on to their place in the Western Conference playoff race.
The Jazz (38-38) are tied with the Dallas Mavericks for the final two slots and are a full game ahead of the Houston Rockets.
Utah pulled away with a strong start and finish to the third quarter. A rare midrange jumper by Rudy Gobert started a 6-0 run at the beginning of the third and Joe Ingles made a 3-pointer from the corner to cap another 6-0 stretch at the end of the quarter for a 77-68 lead.
The Timberwolves never got closer than nine in the fourth quarter.
Trey Lyles added 18 for the Jazz, and Gobert finished with 10 points and 14 rebounds.
Andrew Wiggins paced Minnesota with 24 points, while Karl-Anthony Towns chipped in 17 and 11 rebounds.
Minnesota Timberwolves forward Greg Smith (4) dunks the ball on Utah Jazz center Jeff Withey, left, during the second quarter of an NBA basketball game Friday, April 1, 2016, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
The Associated Press
Minnesota Timberwolves guard Zach LaVine (8) attempts to steal the ball from Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game Friday, April 1, 2016, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
The Associated Press
Minnesota Timberwolves guard Andrew Wiggins (22) lays the ball up as Utah Jazz forward Trey Lyles (41) looks on during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game Friday, April 1, 2016, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
The Associated Press
Utah Jazz guard Raul Neto, left, and Minnesota Timberwolves forward Shabazz Muhammad (15) battle for a loose ball during the second quarter of an NBA basketball game Friday, April 1, 2016, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
The Associated Press
Minnesota Timberwolves forward Tayshaun Prince (12) passes the ball as Utah Jazz guard Rodney Hood (5) looks on during the second quarter of an NBA basketball game Friday, April 1, 2016, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
The Associated Press
Utah Jazz guard Shelvin Mack (8) drives around Minnesota Timberwolves guard Zach LaVine (8) during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game Friday, April 1, 2016, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
The Associated Press
Minnesota Timberwolves head coach Sam Mitchell shouts to his team during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game against the Utah Jazz Friday, April 1, 2016, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
The Associated Press
Minnesota Timberwolves forward Tayshaun Prince, right, passes the ball as Utah Jazz guard Rodney Hood (5) defends during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game Friday, April 1, 2016, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
The Associated Press
Minnesota Timberwolves guard Andrew Wiggins (22) goes to the basket as Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert, left, defends during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game Friday, April 1, 2016, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
The Associated Press