Emotions ran hot after the Jazz beat the Timberwolves 116-108 Friday night in a game that included three ejections and five technicals.
But the most interesting angle happened off the court, as T-Wolves All-Star Jimmy Butler made a rare Twitter appearance to defend teammate Jeff Teague and take on Jazz guard Jae Crowder, his former teammate at Marquette.
Butler, who isn't traveling with the team while he recovers from meniscus surgery, made it clear he appreciated Teague's hustle, after he chased down Jazz guard Ricky Rubio on a fast break and knocked him into the T-Wolves' bench.
The play earned Teague a flagrant 2 and an ejection. But Butler, who had not used Twitter since December 2016, quickly tweeted his approval: "Haven’t used Twitter in years. But yeah Jeff that’s what I like to see. Rubio getting up quick for no reason."
That play also led to a confrontation between the two teams, including an exchage between Crowder and Minnesota coach Tom Thibodeau. Butler had a message for his former Marquette teammate: "Jae get away from my coach. You don’t want no smoke either."
Crowder discovered the tweet and quickly responded: "I DONT TWITTER BEEF ILL LEAVE THAT TO U.. BUT U GOT MY PHONE NUMBER AND KNOW MY HOME ADDRESS..!! THE REST CAN BE HISTORY."
In case you're wondering, the Timberwolves and Jazz meet again in Minnesota April 1.
