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MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — After frittering away a double-digit-point fourth-quarter lead twice on this sequence, the Minnesota Timberwolves may have already defeated the Memphis Grizzlies by now and be getting ready for the second spherical.
The Timberwolves will attempt to stave off elimination by the Grizzlies in Recreation 6 on Friday night time as a substitute, aiming to point out the league, their followers — and maybe themselves — that they’ve an ample provide of the late-game resolve wanted to be an element within the NBA playoffs.
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What they don’t essentially want, although, is one in all their stars to take over.
One of many important the explanation why the Wolves have been unproductive within the last stretches of video games is a stagnant offense and compelled photographs from one of many trio of Karl-Anthony Cities, Anthony Edwards or D’Angelo Russell.
“Everyone desires to be the hero, and that’s not the way you’re going to win these video games,” coach Chris Finch mentioned after apply Thursday.
Edwards tied Recreation 5 with 3.7 seconds left on a fadeaway nook 3-pointer. The second-year guard has rapidly established himself as a real clutch participant, so having the ball in his arms with the clock winding down is by no means a detrimental for Minnesota. The issues can come up, although, when there’s little passing to or from him to arrange the very best appears to be like on the basket.
“It was me. I used to be quite a lot of that, what Coach talked about,” Edwards mentioned, reflecting on his Recreation 5 decision-making. He had 22 factors however took 20 photographs to get there.
Russell has had some ill-advised makes an attempt, too, together with a 10-foot pull-up in visitors with 12.3 seconds left in Recreation 5 that missed badly.
Coming into the sequence, guard Patrick Beverley was the one participant on the Wolves with any postseason expertise of significance.
“We’re younger,” Edwards mentioned. “I feel everyone knows that, and we’re studying as we going.”
The Grizzlies are simply as inexperienced on this stage, however they’ve been the higher staff within the final half of the fourth quarter, even when the opposite 90% of the sport has principally gone the best way of the Wolves. Ja Morant belied his age by fairly a bit in Recreation 5 by scoring his staff’s last 13 factors, together with the last-second layup that lifted Memphis to victory.
The rally in Recreation 5 got here after Jaren Jackson Jr. fouled out, prompting coach Taylor Jenkins to go to a super-small lineup with Morant subsequent to Tyus Jones, Desmond Bane, Dillon Brooks and Brandon Clarke. Brooks and Clarke helped defend Cities, and Clarke dominated within the fourth quarter with seven of his 10 rebounds on the offensive finish. Memphis had a 12-0 scoring edge in second-chance factors within the last interval, and Clarke completed with 21 factors and 15 rebounds off the bench.
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The Grizzlies final superior to the second spherical in 2015, when none of their present gamers have been round, nor the teaching workers.
“I’m simply targeted on how we’re going to play our greatest basketball nonetheless. So hopefully come out with that bodily edge, that psychological edge you’re going to wish,” Jenkins mentioned. “You simply must take it up a notch for certain on the street in opposition to a extremely robust staff.”
Taking a early lead at Goal Middle may go a great distance towards sending the Grizzlies to a Recreation 1 on Sunday at Golden State.
“You don’t need to give a staff like that any life,” Jones mentioned. “When you have got an opportunity to shut out an opponent in a playoff sequence, you’ve obtained to attempt to benefit from it. We clearly don’t need this to go to a seventh sport.”
GRIZZLIES at TIMBERWOLVES
Memphis leads 3-2. Recreation 6, 9 p.m. EDT, ESPN.
—NEED TO KNOW: The Grizzlies with a median of 31.6 factors are outscoring the Wolves by 8.8 factors within the fourth quarter within the sequence, by far the biggest disparity on this postseason.
—KEEP AN EYE ON: Bane. He averaged 30 factors and shot 15 of 27 exterior the arc in Video games 3 and 4, the primary two video games in Minnesota. Bane joined Klay Thompson (three straight) and Stephen Curry (two) as solely the third participant in NBA historical past to make at the very least seven 3-pointers in back-to-back playoff video games. He’s taking pictures 48.3% from 3-point vary on the street this season for each the common season and playoffs.
—INJURY WATCH: Grizzlies middle Steven Adams entered the COVID-19 well being and security protocols and won’t play in Recreation 6. Backup ahead Ziaire Williams (proper knee soreness) was listed as uncertain for the sport. Morant and Edwards have each performed by minor leg accidents, however they haven’t been restricted in any method.
—PRESSURE IS ON: Brooks. He was 3 of 18 taking pictures in Recreation 5, together with 1 of 10 from 3-point vary, and completed with eight factors.
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