Timberwolves Falter Late in Disappointing Loss to Grizzlies
The Minnesota Timberwolves suffered a frustrating 106-104 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies on MLK Day, squandering a double-digit lead in the second half. Despite a strong start and holding the advantage for most of the contest, the Wolves’ late-game execution once again left much to be desired.
Anthony Edwards led the charge early, helping Minnesota build an 11-point halftime lead. The Wolves’ defense was particularly impressive in the first half, limiting Memphis to just 43 points - their lowest-scoring half of the season.
However, things began to unravel in the second half. Memphis started to gain momentum, outscoring us by six in the third quarter. The Grizzlies’ offensive rebounding improved, and they began to capitalize on our turnovers, scoring 22 points off our 16 giveaways.
What Happened Late With the Timberwolves’ Execution?
The final minutes were particularly disappointing. With the game tied at 100, a series of miscues cost us dearly. Naz Reid was called for a travel on one end and then followed it up with a turnover and a foul under the Grizzlies basket after he’d corralled a defensive rebound. Back on the offensive end, Rudy Gobert made an ill-advised pass that was intercepted, leading to more Memphis points.
Then, after the Wolves still managed to stay within two points in the final seconds, head coach Chris Finch’s decision to call a timeout with five seconds left was questionable. Edwards had the ball near half-court with momentum, and letting him take it all the way down for a game-tying layup might have been the better option. Instead, the timeout resulted in a broken play after the ensuing in-bounds and a difficult three-point attempt from Edwards that fell short.
Late-game execution continues to be an issue. While the Grizzlies focused on getting to the rim and drawing fouls, the Wolves settled for too many outside shots. Edwards, despite scoring 32 points, missed five crucial free throws over the course of the game, and Julius Randle struggled mightily, scoring just five points on 2-of-13 shooting.
On a positive note, Naz Reid continued his strong play with 29 points, and rookie Rob Dillingham provided a spark off the bench with 15 points in just 17 minutes.
For more insights and a deeper dive into the Timberwolves’ performance against the Grizzlies, tune into the Locked On Wolves podcast for this and much more.
Other Topics in Today’s Locked On Wolves Podcast:
• Rob Dillingham’s impressive performance and potential for increased playing time
• Rudy Gobert’s struggles and limited impact
• Upcoming games against Dallas and Denver
