Grizzlies stifle Timberwolves
Memphis defeats resurgent Minnesota for 5th win in last 6 games
MINNEAPOLIS — The Timberwolves entered Sunday’s game against the Grizzlies on a three-game winning streak since the approval of a blockbuster trade that sent star Jimmy Butler to Philadelphia.
Memphis brought Minnesota a cold front.
The Grizzlies held Minnesota to 39 percent shooting and forced 20 turnovers as they stifled yet another potent offensive team in a 100-87 win at Target Center.
Grizzlies center Marc Gasol hit three 3-pointers in the fourth quarter as Memphis (10-5) ended Minnesota’s five-game home winning streak.
The Grizzlies have won five of their past six games. They host Dallas at 7 p.m. Monday (Fox Southeast).
Here are some observations from Sunday’s game:
Third-quarter run
Jaren Jackson Jr. picked up his third foul on a charge with Memphis leading 58-52 and 7:42 left in the third quarter. Minnesota (7-10) went straight at Jackson on the next possession, and KarlAnthony Towns scored an easy bucket to make it 58-54.
But Jackson and the Grizzlies weathered the storm, holding Minnesota to just one basket over the next five and a half minutes as Memphis opened up a 73-57 lead.
Jackson set up one basket during the stretch by swatting Andrew Wiggins’ layup attempt, leading to a Gasol 3pointer on the other end. That sequence was part of an 11-0 run that Derrick Rose finally ended with a 3-pointer for the Timberwolves.
“We’ve been focusing on our third quarters,” Grizzlies coach J.B. Bickerstaff said. “Earlier in the year, we struggled in the third quarters. We got together with the guys and had some communication, and they’ve prepared themselves.”
Marc Gasol’s missiles
Four days after knocking down six of 12 3-point attempts in a win at Milwaukee, Gasol made four of seven attempts on Sunday. All the makes came in the second half as he found a groove in the pick-and-roll attack.
Gasol credited Memphis’ defense with setting up its offense.