Grizzlies
enjoyed a 19-point, 11-rebound performance from Zach Randolph off the bench.
"I was squirming on the inside," Fizdale said. "But I knew our team had bigtime jitters. Our energy was really good."
The game seesawed in the final minutes.
Memphis led 94-93 with 1:35 remaining after JaMychal Green tipped in Andrew Harrison’s missed free throw. Marc Gasol padded the lead with a 12foot shot when 56 seconds remained.
Conley’s jump shot from 17 feet gave the Griz a 98-93 cushion with 24 seconds remaining.
The score was tied at 85 with six minutes left in the fourth quarter.
Memphis’ defense slowed down Minnesota in the third, allowing just 16 points in the period.
The Griz took their first lead — 62-61 — of the night after Harrison’s driving layup along the baseline. James Ennis electrified the crowd two possessions later. Ennis began his dribble at the top of the key, darted past his defender and threw down a monster dunk that put the Griz ahead 66-61 five minutes into the second half.
Minnesota coach Tom Thibodeau called for time because Memphis had manufactured a 16-0 run to start the second half.
"We had to defend," Fizdale said. "we came out with the idea that it was all offense."
A Gasol mid-range jump shot knotted score at 45 with five minutes left before halftime. Memphis, though, fell behind 59-50 at the intermission.
The Grizzlies’ climb back was a long one after they fell behind 20-3 in the opening period.
The T’Wolves opened game on 16-1 run, scoring the first nine points of the game.
Minnesota connected on eight of its first 10 field goal attempts. The T’Wolves played carefree on offense while the Griz appeared out of sync from the start.
Fizdale burned two timeouts in first five minutes. The Griz misfired on their first five shots and committed two turnovers before Ennis banked in a shot to stop the drought.
Memphis, though, shifted into gear and ended the first quarter on a 26-12 run.
Fizdale started Harrison at shooting guard because of Tony Allen’s inability to play due to a sore right knee. Ennis was in the starting unit because Chandler Parsons (knee) hasn’t been cleared play. Forwards Brandan Wright (left ankle) and Jarell Martin (foot) also sat out.