The short-handed Memphis Grizzlies looked to play spoiler for a playoff-contending Minnesota team but came up short.
The Memphis Grizzlies were without a lot of players tonight due to injuries and rest. However, with the second best lottery odds already locked up, there’s no reason to tank. Ben McLemore had a really good game, and they played hard but lost to a T-Wolves team that needed a win.
First Half
The Grizzlies played hard in the first half and that’s all you can ask for. They allowed four offensive boards in the first couple minutes, but other than that they did a good job for the most part.
When Mario Chalmers checked into the game with a few minutes remaining, they went on a quick 12-0 run, giving the Grizzlies a 10-point lead.
The Grizzlies would head into the quarter break with a 26-20 lead. Ben McLemore had six points, while Ivan Rabb had five rebounds.
The Timberwolves would go on a huge 15-0 in the middle of the second quarter, putting the Wolves up 43-37.
The Memphis Grizzlies would fight back and trail by just three at the half. McLemore led the way with twelve points and three rebounds in the first half.
Second Half
Deyonta Davis picked up his fourth foul with still 9:17 left in the third quarter, while the Grizzlies had a five-point deficit. The Grizzlies would struggle for part of the quarter but a few buckets late had them trailing by just eight at the end of three.
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The T-Wolves had a great start to the fourth quarter as they took a 12-point lead with 10:07 left in the game. The Grizzlies would keep fighting, but they never really got it much closer than that the rest of the way.
The Memphis Grizzlies would end up losing 113-94. Ben McLemore led the way with 18 points and 7 rebounds. Karl Anthony-Towns had 24 points and 18 boards to lead the T-Wolves to a crucial win for their playoff hopes.
The Memphis Grizzlies end the season in Oklahoma City on Wednesday. The Thunder clinched their playoff berth tonight with a win in Miami, so they’re now just playing for playoff seeding.