The Timberwolves and star center Karl-Anthony won Sunday night's contest of attrition, beating a Utah team missing its two best players and its coach as well.
Towns' 31-point, 11-rebound, 10-assist triple-double fueled the Wolves' 126-106 victory at Target Center.
It came after two December losses — one home, one road — against an opponent they just hadn't seemed able to beat.
At least not until Sunday, when they led by as many as 19 points in the third quarter and as many as 21 before night's end.
Towns scored 18 of his game-high 31 points in that third quarter alone.