Wolves 94, Grizzlies 87

Wolves record: 9-25

Chris Herrington/Beyond The Arc live blogged the game

The Wolves aren’t skyrocketing up the standings yet, but they are playing with much more confidence and cohesion. They built a double-digit lead in the first eight minutes and never fell behind, limited the Grizzlies to 41.6 percent shooting, and won for the fifth time in seven games.

It’s the first time since Jan. 15-18, 2007, that the Timberwolves have won three straight games — and the last-place Oklahoma City Thunder visit Target Center tonight.

Mayo, traded by McHale on draft day last June in return for a package that included fellow rookie Kevin Love, scored 20 points, to go with the 23 he had against Minnesota last month. But he and the Grizzlies lost both games.

From the Associated Press:

Foye scored 23 points, including the go-ahead 3-pointer with 40 seconds left, and the Timberwolves weathered a late rally to beat the Memphis Grizzlies 94-87 Tuesday night.

Following his basket, Foye blocked O.J. Mayo’s shot on the next Memphis possession, leading to a fast-break basket by Ryan Gomes, and the Timberwolves secured their third straight win – the first time they’ve won three in a row since January 2007.

“It was defense, rebounding and communicating,” Foye said of pulling away after the Grizzlies pulled even at 87. “We just had to clamp down on defense.”

From Brian Stensaas/Star Tribune:

To seal the deal, Foye then blocked O.J. Mayo’s shot on the Grizzlies’ next possession, leading to another hoop.

The most pumped up after the block? Coach Kevin McHale, who as vice president of basketball operations was in on keeping Foye’s rights in Minnesota.

“His block on O.J. was ridiculous,” McHale said. “He just absolutely skyrocketed out of there. A great block; great ending plays and that’s what we talked about all the time.”

From Brian Stensaas/Star Tribune:

One aspect of tonight’s game that did not get into the story but I really want to address is the team’s physical play. Everyone seemed to have it; but how about Brian Cardinal? Did you see the play after he made the bad pass early in the second quarter? Mayo saved Cardinal’s poor pass from going out of bounds by flipping it to Hakim Warrick. But before Warrick could get the ball, Cardinal dove in and the two wrestled to the ground. A jump ball ensued, and the Wolves gained possession…

Finally – Mike Miller is fine. Yes he came down awkward on that right ankle again. But it was just tweaked, and evidenced by his 28 minutes tonight he’ll be good to go for tomorrow against the Thunder.

From Ronald Tillery/Memphis Commercial Appeal:

The Griz never led in this one, and became the only NBA team to lose twice to the Timberwolves this season.

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Wolves 94, Grizzlies 87

Alan Draper

Alan Draper

Alan Draper