Altitude. Injuries. A back-to-back. Foul problems.

The Timberwolves on Saturday night got their 40th victory the quickest in franchise history despite all of it. They beat Utah 116-105 at the Delta Center because of their bench.

Early foul problems by Joe Smith and Rasho Nesterovic? Reserve forwards Marc Jackson (10 points) and Gary Trent (17) stepped in and pounded with nerve.

Nagging injuries to Chauncey Billups and Wally Szczerbiak, among others? Insert guards Anthony Peeler (seven points) and Will Avery (14), with verve.

Minnesota's reserves added 56 points to starter Kevin Garnett's 26 points and 11 rebounds. Szczerbiak had 17 points in 29 minutes. It was Minnesota's fifth straight victory over the Jazz and its sixth win in its past eight games overall.