Conley, Carter Lead Grizzlies Past Timberwolves

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Mike Conley had 25 points and seven assists, Vince Carter added a season-high 15 points and the Memphis Grizzlies defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves 109-104 on Friday night.

Zach Randolph added 17 points and eight rebounds as Memphis won its second straight.

Zach LaVine led the Timberwolves with 22 points, including converting 4 of 6 shots from outside the arc.

Andrew Wiggins added 20 for Minnesota, while Gorgui Dieng had 14 points and 12 rebounds. Karl-Anthony Towns finished with 11 points and 15 rebounds for the Timberwolves, who had won three of four before the All-Star break.

The Timberwolves did not hit a field goal in the final 6:51, their final points coming from converting all 15 of their foul shots in the closing 5:53.

Despite getting to the line in the final minutes, the Timberwolves could never get closer than three points down the stretch.

Minnesota got a boost from Shabazz Muhammad and Kevin Martin, who both scored 12 points off the Timberwolves bench. The Timberwolves also committed 22 turnovers, leading to 27 Memphis points.

Minnesota had taken a 91-90 lead on a pair of free throws from Wiggins with 5:53 left, the start of the final string of foul shots for the Timberwolves.

Randolph then scored inside, starting a run of eight straight Memphis points to give the Grizzlies a 98-91 lead with 3:42 left, enough of a buffer for the win.

Memphis used 11 points from Randolph and a defensive effort that caused 12 Minnesota turnovers in the first half to help the Grizzlies carry a 51-48 lead into the break.

Both teams had significant runs in the second quarter. The Timberwolves used a 13-2 rally to open the period and built a 10-point lead, only to have Memphis counter with 13 straight points.

Lavine sparked the Timberwolves offense, hitting five of his first six shots of the third quarter. That helped Minnesota stretch its lead back to 10.

Carter's 73-foot heave swished through at the end of the third quarter to cut the Minnesota advantage to 81-76 entering the fourth.

TIP-INS:

Timberwolves: F Kevin Garnett missed his 10th consecutive game with right knee soreness. He injured the knee in the Jan. 23 game between the teams. ... Martin, who missed the nine games before the All-Star break with sore right wrist, returned to action. ... LaVine started his eighth game of the season, with veteran Tayshaun Prince, a starter in 42 games this season, moving to the bench. Prince did not play.

Grizzlies: With the broken right foot injury to starting C Marc Gasol, Randolph moved to the center spot. Barnes and JaMychal Green started at forwards. It was Green's fourth start of the season. He had a nine points and 11 rebounds. ... New Grizzlies C Chris Andersen and G/F P.J. Hairston, obtained before Thursday's trade deadline, both played. Lance Stephenson, who was part of a trade with the Los Angeles Clippers was inactive. ... Minnesota had 11 3-pointers, the 27th time this season a Memphis opponent has reached double-digits in shots made outside the arc. ... Memphis G Tony Allen left the game late in the first half with a sore left knee and didn't return.

UP NEXT

Timberwolves: Host New York Knicks on Saturday.

Grizzlies: Travel to Toronto on Sunday.