Grizzlies lose after moment for Nichols
Anthony Edwards scored 13 of his 25 points in the third quarter as Minnesota extended its lead, D'Angelo Russell added 19 points and the Timberwolves topped the Memphis Grizzlies 111-100 on Friday night in Minneapolis.
The Grizzlies took the court minutes after video footage was released of 29year-old Tyre Nichols being fatally beaten by Memphis police officers.
There was a moment of silence prior to the game but no demonstration by the Grizzlies or Timberwolves. Both teams offered thoughts to Nichols' family and friends in messages tweeted before the video was released.
Speaking pregame, Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins wasn't sure whether the team would watch the footage together or on their own.
“This was a senseless act that should never have happened,” Jenkins said. “Being away from Memphis this past couple of days has been really hard to grasp what's going on in our city, talking to people, talking to leaders there, talking to our own team, talking to our families."
“Obviously, we have a basketball game to play tonight, but there's so much more we're focused on, getting back home and being there to be a beacon of hope for our city as it grieves and mourns,” he said.
Kyle Anderson had 23 points for Minnesota, which has won four of five. Nathan Knight added 10 points off the bench.
Ja Morant had 27 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds for Memphis, which finished its season-long road trip 0-5 during which it lost Steven Adams, Desmond Bane and John Konchar to injuries.
Minnesota built a double-digit lead in the first quarter and made it stand. Bucks 141, Pacers 131: Giannis Antetokounmpo had 41 points, 12 rebounds and six assists and visiting Milwaukee fended off Indiana's second-half rally. Myles Turner led the Pacers with 24 points. Buddy Hield added 22 as Indiana lost for the ninth time in 10 games — after nearly overcoming a 33-point firsthalf deficit.
Heat 110, Magic 105: Jimmy Butler had 29 points, Bam Adebayo added 20 and host Miami rallied in the fourth quarter to beat Orlando. Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner and Cole Anthony all had 19 points for the Magic. Turnovers doomed the Magic. They had 20, compared to 11 by Miami — and the Heat turned Orlando's giveaways into 32 points. Orlando scored 13 off Miami's turnovers.
Thunder 112, Cavaliers 100: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 35 points, his fourth consecutive with at least 30, for host Oklahoma City. Darius Garland had 31 points and 13 assists for Cleveland, which played again without AllStar Donovan Mitchell because of a groin injury.