The Minnesota Timberwolves were on a three-game losing streak and had just lost one of the most valuable players on this roster for a minimum of a month. Worst of all, the Minnesota Timberwolves had to host the Memphis Grizzlies, a team that had already beaten them at full strength once this season and had a three-game winning streak extending back to the final two games of the first round of the NBA Playoffs from a year ago.
At halftime, the Grizzlies led the Timberwolves by a score of 48-44, All-Star center Rudy Gobert was a non-factor, and PG D’Angelo Russell seemed to be unable to orchestrate any kind of meaningful rally. And then there was halftime and the fact that the Timberwolves have struggled to emerge with a sense of purpose, with any measurable amount of energy, or even a strong interest in the game being played, after returning to the basketball court.
But on this occasion, it was the Grizzlies who emerged lethargic and listless. The Minnesota Timberwolves outscored the visiting Memphis Grizzlies by a score of 65-53 to seal a desperately needed victory.
While the Timberwolves continued to struggle with making and defending three-pointers in this one, the Timberwolves ruled almost all other game statistics. The Timberwolves had the better shooting percentage from the floor (46.1 percent), better free throw (78.9 percent), better assists (26), better points in the paint (58), more fast break points (19) and far fewer turnovers (13).
The Grizzlies dominated the boards, getting 59 rebounds in the game to just 29 for the Timberwolves.
The Timberwolves not only evened their record with the Grizzlies with this victory, but the team has evened their home court record at 6-6 and their season record at 11-11. Savor this one, as the Timberwolves exceeded expectations, perhaps for the first time all season.