Grizzlies use big fourth quarter to top Wolves 119-112

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Dillon Brooks scored 28 points, Ja Morant added 25 and the Memphis Grizzlies rallied in the fourth quarter for a 119-112 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday night.

Jaren Jackson Jr finished with 21 points, including a trio of 3-pointers in fourth after entering the period 1 for 7 over the first three quarters. Jae Crowder finished with 14 points and eight rebounds as Memphis won its third straight.

Rookie Jarrett Culver, the sixth overall pick in last summer’s draft, led the Timberwolves with a career-high 24 points, converting 8 of 11 shots, including 3 of 5 from outside the arc. Jeff Teague scored 18 points and handed out six assists for Minnesota, while Robert Covington scored 17 points. Andrew Wiggins had 15 points.

Memphis outscored Minnesota 37-28 in the fourth.

Neither team could build a sufficient advantage in the early stages of the fourth despite both having respectable rallies. They were still tied at the midway point of the period.

At that point, Memphis built a six-point buffer behind baskets from Morant and a layup from De’Anthony Melton.

Covington’s 3-point play with 1:06 left pulled the Timberwolves within 113-112, but Minnesota could never catch Memphis the rest of the way.

Minnesota’s defense seemed to knock Memphis out of its offensive flow in the first half, the Timberwolves building their lead to 14 in the second quarter. The Grizzlies shot 43% in the half, but struggled primarily from 3-point range, converting only 4 of 18 from outside the arc.

While the Timberwolves’ shooting wasn’t much better – 47% overall and 6 of 21 from 3 – that was enough for Minnesota to hold a 56-51 lead at halftime.

Wiggins, who was held to four points in the first half would score 11 in the third frame, but Memphis was able to chip into the Timberwolves advantage.

TIP-INS

Timberwolves: C. Karl-Anthony Towns missed his 11th straight game with left knee soreness. Asked if Towns was close, coach Ryan Saunders said: “That would be the hope. He’s progressing.” … After a horrendous 11-game losing streak in December, the ‘Wolves had won four of their last six before Tuesday’s loss.

Grizzlies: Had 22 assists, snapping their string of four straight games with at least 30 assists … Are now 10-0 when Brooks scores at least 20 points. … Memphis trailed by 14 in the first half, marking the Grizzlies biggest rally in a victory this season. … Morant had 10 points in the fourth quarter, the eighth time this season, he’s scored at least 10 in the final frame.

UP NEXT

Timberwolves: Entertain Portland on Thursday

Grizzlies: Host San Antonio on Friday.