Strong second half lifts Timberwolves over Grizzlies

Field Level Media|published: Wed 28th February, 22:49 2024

Feb 28, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) goes to the basket between Memphis Grizzlies forward Santi Aldama (7) and guard Jordan Goodwin (4) in the first quarter at Target Center. credits: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports

Anthony Edwards scored 34 points on 11-for-21 shooting, and the Minnesota Timberwolves overcame a slow start to earn a 110-101 win over the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday night in Minneapolis.

Naz Reid added 19 points on 6-for-11 shooting off the bench for the Timberwolves, who won their third game in a row and their second in as many nights. Karl-Anthony Towns posted a double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds.

Jaren Jackson Jr. scored 33 points and pulled down 13 rebounds to lead Memphis, which lost its third consecutive contest. Ziaire Williams scored 16 points and grabbed eight rebounds, and GG Jackson scored 14 points off the bench.

The Timberwolves outscored the Grizzlies 60-48 in the second half, including a 22-16 edge in the fourth quarter.

The Grizzlies pulled within 100-98 with 5:18 to go.

From there, the Timberwolves finished the game on a 10-3 run to seal the victory. Edwards scored six of Minnesota's final 10 points.

Minnesota led 88-85 at the end of the third quarter.

Ziaire Williams made a 3-pointer to put the Grizzlies on top 81-72 with 3:28 to go in the third quarter.

The Timberwolves closed the quarter on a 16-4 run. That included nine points in a row, with Edwards scoring seven straight before Nickeil Alexander-Walker added a basket.

Memphis led 53-50 at the half.

The Grizzlies jumped to a 14-0 lead to start the game. Jaren Jackson Jr. and Vince Williams Jr. made back-to-back 3-pointers to open the scoring, and Jackson Jr. added a layup to finish off the run with 8:59 remaining in the first quarter.

Towns finally scored the Timberwolves' first basket with 8:44 left. Mike Conley found him for an open 3-pointer to make it 14-3.

The Grizzlies led 20-7 after Santi Aldama made a 3-pointer with 5:49 left in the first quarter. Minnesota closed the quarter on a 17-6 run to trim the deficit to two points.

A hard-fought second quarter ended with Ziaire Williams making a long 3-pointer with 0.1 seconds remaining to give Memphis a three-point lead at the break.

—Field Level Media

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