After a four game road trip, the Memphis Grizzlies returned home to FedExForum, beating the Minnesota Timberwolves 93-71 on Saturday night. The Grizzlies have won four straight games in a row and five of their last six. Memphis is now 3-0 this season on the second night of a back-to-back set.
After limiting the Dallas Mavericks to 64 points the night before, the Grizzlies have held opponents to a combined 135 points during the back-to-back. According to The Elias Sports Bureau, that ties the franchise record low for a two game span, set originally from Nov. 30 – Dec. 2, 2005 against the Toronto Raptors and Orlando Magic.
With the game tied at 48-48 during a 4:51 stretch in the third quarter, Memphis went on a 14-0 run and outscored Minnesota 17-4 over the final 7:22 of the period. The Grizzlies then led the rest of the game. Memphis shot 33-of-38 from the free throw line setting season highs in both makes and attempts while the Timberwolves only made 14 of their 22 attempts from the free throw line.
Five Grizzlies scored in double figures with JaMychal Green leading the team with 19 points and eight rebounds. James Ennis added 11 points, Mike Conley 13, and Andrew Harrison recorded a career high 13 points and seven assists while tying a career high four rebounds. Zach Randolph also contributed a solid 18 points and seven rebounds off the bench. The game marked Vince Carter’s 1,287th career game, passing fellow University of North Carolina alum Sam Perkins (1,286) for 23rd in NBA history for games played. Carter finished with four points and five rebounds.
The Timberwolves entered the game averaging 108.1 points per game, good for eighth in the league. This is the first game the Timberwolves have scored less than 90 points this season. The Grizzlies held Timberwolves forward Andrew Wiggins to only seven points, where Wiggins had been averaging 37 in his past three games. Zach LaVine led Minnesota with 22 points, connecting on 4-of-8 of his three-point shots. Karl-Anthony Towns contributed 17 points and three rebounds in 28 minutes, and Gorgui Dieng grabbed a game high 11 rebounds.
The Grizzlies are back on the road as they take on the Charlotte Hornets at the Spectrum Center at 6 p.m. CT. Catch all the action on FOX Sports Southeast or listen on 92.9 FM ESPN.
The Grizzlies will return to FedExForum on Friday, Nov. 25 to face the Miami Heat.
