Grizzlies Fall to Timberwolves 106-101: It Wasn’t the Whistle’s Fault
The Grizzlies headed into what should have been a winnable game. And it almost was. They managed to erase a 13 point deficit and found themselves tied with the Timberwolves with 2:01 left in the game. A dose of poor officiating and a lack of inbound pass time awareness would seal the fate of the Grizzlies and give the Timberwolves their third win in their last 18 games. However poor the officiating seemed the Grizzlies blew their second quarter lead. Our “defensive-minded” team allowed a 16-1 run by the Timberwolves. As much as I want to blame the whistle and the lack of calls in the Grizzlies favor it just wasn’t the whistle’s fault that the Grizzlies could not close this game out. Yes, there was a lack of calls. Coach Joerger was handed a technical foul in the 2nd quarter as a result of going to bat for his guys. That said, regardless of the how the whistle goes the Grizzlies did not finish this game. Instead they allowed the younger Timberwolves to nip at their heels and run them out of steam. Since I don’t think we need to relive every little thing that happened here’s my quick thoughts on last night’s debauchery.
The Good:
Marc Gasol showed some aggressiveness. Gasol was calling for the ball. Gasol was taking shots. In comparison to the lackluster and low energy Gasol I had started to become acquainted with this Gasol was the one I remembered fondly from the past. Gasol was actively talking to his teammates. When the Grizzlies found themselves in that 13-point deficit Gasol didn’t quit. He shot 58.3% on the night and was the second leading scorer with 17 points. While there is undoubtedly room for improvement the Grizzlies big man is starting to come back to life. For now.
Mario Chalmers will not be stopped. Chalmers is a beast. Chalmers fights for his games. It’s been refreshing to see the fire that he brings to the court. Now, that means we get some costly fouls but just like Tony Allen, the good he brings to the court far outweighs the bad. Chalmers was the game’s leading scorer, again. He’s been averaging 11 points per game since he came over to the Grizzlies in mid November.
The Grizzlies shot the 3-ball again. And made it. Shooting 47.4% from beyond the arc makes me feel so many warm and fuzzies. Watching Vince Carter, Matt Barnes, Courtney Lee and Mario Chalmers do work gives me so much hope. I can’t stop believing that this team will start to consistently get their 3-ball on. Our shooters were clutch last night. They made much needed shots and they did so with flair.
The Bad:
The Timberwolves took too many trips to the FT line. Just check out this tweet from Ross Wooden.
The Wolves' 21 free throws made and 23 free throws attempted are the most FTM and FTA before halftime by a Grizzlies opponent this season.
— Ross Wooden (@RossWooden) January 24, 2016
That’s pretty much how the remainder of the game went. At the end of the night the Grizzlies would shoot 22 free throws. Yep, we shot one less free throw over the entirety of the game than they shot in the just the first half. The Timberwolves traveled to the line 36 times, obtaining 33 of their 106 points there. Now, to say that a young team who is basically starving for a win wasn’t physical is complete balderdash. So let’s just say it. That whistle was not ever in our favor.
Turnovers. No guys, not the apple or chocolate or cherry filled ones covered in delicious icing, served warm so they melt in your mouth. Not those. The ones where your team doesn’t adequately take care of the ball. Where they give their opponent the opportunity to score. The Grizzlies committed 14 total turnovers in last night’s game. This team just can’t afford those turnovers. Not if we plan on playing “in the mud”. Not if we are going to expect to walk away with a 1, 2 or 3 point win. The Grizzlies must take care of the ball. Not taking care of the ball explains 20 of the Timberwolves points last night.
The Utterly Ugly:
The second quarter 16-1 run by the Timberwolves that put the Grizzlies down by 10. The fact that this even happened is utterly ugly. As Mike Conley said post game about this loss: “It was very tough… We shouldn’t have put ourselves in the position to begin with.” Well said Conley, well said.
The Grizzlies discounted this young and hungry team. Shabazz Muhammed, a player who averages 10 points per game, absolutely dominated the Grizzlies last night. He scored 25 points and was the leading scorer for the Timberwolves. The Timberwolves bench scored 54 points. The team shot 50% on the night and out rebounded the Grizzlies. The Grizzlies fell into this trap game and headed home licking their wounds.
The Grizzlies are now back home for a three game home stand. Time to get back on the winning streak.
**Shout out to NBA.com and ESPN.com for the sweet stats. I couldn’t write this without them.**
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