Wolves let game slip away in clutch, fall in another close game with Grizzlies

It felt a bit like deja vu.

Just like the last time the Minnesota Timberwolves faced the Memphis Grizzlies, they held a late lead and were in prime position to run away with a win. But like the last game against the Grizzlies, the Wolves made several mistakes during an ugly stretch of clutch minutes in a 108-106 loss Monday afternoon at the FedEx Forum in Memphis, Tenn.

Just like in the last game against the Grizzlies (28-15), Anthony Edwards looked for a potential game-winning 3-pointer. With 5.0 seconds left, Julius Randle inbounded Edwards, who drove to the wing and pulled up to the 3 with Desmond Bane and Jaren Jackson Jr. right in the face. The shot fell short of the rim as time expired.

It wasn’t great shooting from Edwards, who finished with 32 points and was aggressive all game for the Wolves (22-21), routinely finding his way to the free throw line after attacking the basket. But that was not the only accident that cost them down the stretch. Leading by five entering the fourth quarter, things slowly began to unravel for Minnesota in the frame.

Bane was fouled after he grabbed a defensive rebound, giving him two free throws he made to tie the game at 100-100. The Wolves called a timeout after the play, and immediately turned it over when Naz Reid departed. Rudy Gobert blocked Bane’s layup at the other end, but Minnesota gave up an offensive rebound to Jackson, who was fouled and made two free throws. Mike Conley then missed a 3, and although the Wolves got an offensive rebound, Gobert returned it.

Yes Morant was fouled in transition and made two more from the line to make it 106-100 and end an 11-0 Grizzlies run.

Reid hit a 3 at the other end and the Wolves got back in it, but ultimately couldn’t overcome the string of fouls.

Reid finished with 29 points and eight rebounds off the bench.

It was a disappointing result that came after a strong first half in which Minnesota held Memphis to 43 points, the fewest it has scored in a first half all season. The Wolves competed on the glass, outscoring them 29-28 after the first 24 minutes. They outscored Memphis 52-47 for the game, and even 17-13 on the offensive glass. Unfortunately, seven of those Grizzlies offensive rebounds came in a resurgent second half in which they erased an 11-point deficit.

Jackson led the Grizzlies with 24 points and 11 rebounds. Bane had 22 points, six rebounds and five assists.

Luka Garza got some minutes without garbage time in the first quarter. While he didn’t make much of an impact on the stat sheet, registering just one rebound and one turnover, the Wolves were plus-13 in his four minutes on the court in the quarter. Garza did not see the court again after his first quarter. Rob Dillingham once again made an impact as the Wolves were without Donte DiVincenzo, who is now out indefinitely. Dillingham played 17 minutes and finished with 15 points on 6-of-8 shooting, including 3 for 4 from deep, three rebounds and two assists. He had a team-best plus-minus of plus-16.

Jaden McDaniels had a double-double, the third of his career, with 11 points and 12 rebounds.

Despite a strong first half, the story was the same for the Wolves against the Grizzlies. They simply fell apart in the clutch minutes as Memphis took firm control. And the game ended the same way – a potential game winner falls far short.