Ryan Gomes scored 26 points, and the
Minnesota Timberwolves extended their season-best win streak to four with a
109-102 victory over the struggling Memphis Grizzlies.
Al Jefferson added 23 points and seven rebounds for the Timberwolves, who last
won four in a row during a five-game streak from January 2-10, 2009. Ramon
Sessions contributed 19 points off the bench, and Corey Brewer had 17 points
in the victory.
"We showed a different side of us tonight," Jefferson said. "I think we really
surprised ourselves."
Rudy Gay scored a game-high 27 points to go with eight boards for the
Grizzlies, who have lost five of six. Zach Randolph had 14 points and 13
boards, while O.J. Mayo had 16 points in defeat.
Marc Gasol provided 15 points and eight rebounds, and Mike Conley had 14
points and six assists for Memphis.
"Every game is different. They beat us tonight. It's not because we can't hold
leads or we don't match up, they just beat us," Grizzlies coach Lionel Hollins
said. "They executed down the stretch, and they deserve to win. we did not
deserve to win."
Minnesota trailed by two entering the fourth and eventually was behind by
seven, 89-82, after a DeMarre Carroll jumper with eight minutes left.
The T'Wolves were able to chip away at their deficit, eventually tying the
game at 97-97 on a Gomes three with 3:19 remaining.
The score was tied at 99-all with 2:16 left, but Gomes put the hosts ahead
with a jumper, and Kevin Love's triple with 1:14 to go made it a five-point
game in favor of Minnesota.
After a Gay miss, Sessions drilled two free throws with 30.6 ticks remaining
to seal the win.
The Grizzlies finished the first quarter on an 11-3 burst, and a Marcus
Williams running jumper in the final second provided Memphis with a 27-17 lead
after 12 minutes.
The visitors' advantage reached as much as 13 early in the second quarter, but
the Timberwolves fought back to make it a six-point game, 53-47, at halftime.
The Grizzlies held a seven-point lead, 76-69, late in the third quarter before
Minnesota scored seven straight points to tie the game. Sessions had the first
five points, and Brewer's steal and dunk squared the game at 76-all with 31.6
ticks left.
Carroll answered with a jumper for Memphis to make it 78-76 heading to the
fourth.
Game Notes
Carroll had six points for Memphis, while Love had 12 points for
Minnesota...The T'Wolves shot 55.6 percent, while Memphis shot 51.7
percent...The Grizzlies attempted only eight free throws in the game, compared
to 19 for Minnesota...Memphis still won the season series, 3-1.
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