Every championship contender needs an all-around glue guy, and the Minnesota Timberwolves could have that in Bones Hyland. 

Hyland doesn't play the most minutes; he's fighting to earn more in head coach Chris Finch's rotation, but he takes advantage of the opportunities he gets and is adored by the home crowd — and vice versa. 

The sixth-year guard does his best work in front of the Timberwolves' faithful, and he acknowledged their support after Minnesota's latest win, 115-100, against the Utah Jazz on Sunday. 

Asked why his play elevates at home, Hyland said: "It's the fans, man. I love it here; I love playing in front of the fans. They give us juice and energy, and it's only right to give it back to them."

Hyland is averaging 8.5 points in 12.3 minutes per game this season. 

At home, however, he has climbed up to 11.8 points in the five games so far — including having scored in double digits in the last four. On that stretch, Hyland is notching 14 points per tilt. 

He poured in 14 points in just 13 minutes against the Jazz, leading the Timberwolves' bench in limited time. Hyland shot 4-for-8 from the field and 5-for-6 from the free-throw line, adding two rebounds, two assists, and a block. 

The productive outing puts him in good stead to earn more burn, as Minnesota will continue without Anthony Edwards (knee) until at least the turn of the calendar. 

So far, the former No. 26 overall pick (2021) is averaging four fewer minutes than last year. 

In his season-high 20 minutes against the Los Angeles Clippers on Oct. 30, Hyland produced his best game of the campaign, posting 19 points and eight assists in the 127-101 win. 

He tied his season-high 19 points in 16 minutes off the bench in Minnesota's huge 117-107 victory in Houston on Nov. 4, but that was just his first road game scoring in double figures thus far.

One of the main reasons why Hyland hasn't necessarily played more to date is that the Timberwolves appear to have figured things out sans Edwards. Therefore, Finch is reluctant to fix something that isn't broken. 

Their win against Utah was their fourth straight, as they are now 8-3 and up to fifth place in the stacked Western Conference, 1.5 games behind the No. 1 Los Angeles Lakers (10-2). 

The Timberwolves are not only doing fine but are very much in the fight for a top playoff seed. Edwards' eventual return could transform them into an immediate title contender. 

LaMelo Ball (24) and Ayo Dosunmu (26) combined for 50 points to lead the team against the Jazz. Jaden McDaniels added 16 points, and Rudy Gobert chipped in a 10-point, 15-rebound double-double. 

Another big test awaits the shorthanded Wolves next, as they will face the ascending Dallas Mavericks (7-4) on Thursday in the second game of their eight-game homestand.