The Wolves sure did a struggling franchise a favor tonight. Memphis' win tonight was its first in 12 games, it's first in nearly a month. It gave interim coach J.B. Bickerstaff his first win in Memphis, a victory Grizzlies center Marc Gasol said was the greatest regular season victory he'd ever been a part of.
Don't think the Wolves would agree. Here are some notes from the game:
--Let's start with Jimmy Butler. He scored 30 points tonight, but was just 3-for-7 in the fourth quarter. After the game he had his left hand wrapped. Before leaving the locker room he was holding the hand gingerly. The injury, according to the team is a sprained left pinky finger. When asked if he'd be OK, he said, 'I'm from Tomball, Texas.'' I'll take that to mean yes. But it will be interesting to see the team's injury report tomorrow.
--If the Wolves defense was the problem in the first half, it was offense late, too. This was just the third Memphis opponent not to have 30 points in a quarter. The Wolves scored just 17 fourth-quarter points and shot just 7-for-20. The Wolves were in the bonus with 8:26 left in the game but shot just two free throws the rest of the way. The ball just wasn't moving enough.
--Monday was just the second time this season Karl-Anthony Towns was held under 10 points. He took a season-low six shots. After the game coach Tom Thibodeau said Memphis double-teamed him all night. Still, I'd think he'd have gotten more opportunities if the ball had been moving better.
--The team went from Memphis to Los Angeles after the game. There will be no practice Tuesday, then the Wolves will play the Clippers Wednesday night in a rematch of Sunday's game.
