Wolves Come up Short in Game 5, Lose in final seconds

Minnesota wasn't able to capitalize on the longstanding lead for a second game in this series.

Final Score: Minnesota Timberwolves 109 Memphis Grizzlies 111

Statcap:
Minnesota:
Starters:
J. Vanderbilt  6 pts 3-5 FG 10 REB 1 STL 1 BLK 1 foul
A. Edwards  22 pts 8-20 FG 3-9 3pt 3-4 FT 1 REB 5 fouls
K. Towns  28 pts 7-15 FG 5-7 3pt 9-9 FT 12 REB 1 AST 3 STL 2 BLK 5 fouls
P. Beverley  9 pts 3-6 FG 1-3 3pt 2-3 FT 3 REB 6 AST 1 STL 1 BLK 6 fouls
D. Russell  12 pts 4-10 FG 2-4 3pt 2-3 FT 2 REB 8 AST 2 STL 3 fouls
Bench:
T. Prince  10 pts 3-8 FG 0-3 3pt 4-4 FT 3 REB 3 AST 2 fouls
J. McDaniels  3 pts 1-1 FG 1-1 3pt 2 REB 1 AST 2 BLK 3 fouls
N. Reid  9 pts 4-7 FG 1-2 3pt 2 REB 1 BLK 2 fouls 
J. McLaughlin  2 pts 1-3 FG 0-1 3pt 1 REB 4 AST 2 STL 2 fouls
M. Beasley  8 pts 3-8 FG 1-3 3pt 1-1 FT 6 REB 

Game Recap:
Minnesota actually had a good night for the better part of all 4 quarters. They started off pretty slow. Memphis started off with a 5-0 lead. But Minnesota climbed back into it and took the lead and finished the quarter with a 3 point lead. In the 2nd quarter their lead grew and diminished a couple times but still were on top by 2 at the half. When we hit the 3rd quarter things got interesting. It was probably the most chaotic quarter of basketball I have seen in a long time. Both teams were committing bad turnovers and having all out scrambles for the ball. Fortunately, the Wolves were capitalizing on the madness. If memory serves, they went into the 4th quarter with almost a double digit lead. Most fans were probably worried it could slip away. In the 4th quarter the Wolves faced several runs from Memphis. But somehow with around 4 minutes to go they had managed to grow a 13 point lead, their largest of the game. Unfortunately, the Wolves were largely unable to stop Memphis' last run. They remained tied for most of the final 2 minutes. In the closing seconds, Anthony Edwards hit a game tying 3-pointer in the corner. It was one heck of a shot! On the other end of the floor he gambled on stealing the ball from Ja Morant and allowed him to go in for the game winning bucket. The Wolves let another game slip out of their hands. It sucks, cause they played very well last night.
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Overall, this game was won by who had the most momentum in the final seconds. If the Wolves had the final possession, who knows how the game ends up. Minnesota also had plenty of opportunities down the stretch the stop the Grizz run. Part of this is playoff inexperience. Every time this season the Wolves have faced a problem, they find a way back in. This series isn't quite over yet, Minnesota can still win on Friday to force a Game 7 in Memphis. This series has been all action, and I expect the next game to be no different.

Injury Report
No injuries to report this time. 

Up Next
Now the Wolves will head back to Minneapolis for Game 6. It is scheduled for Friday, 4/26, on ESPN. No time has been set yet. Keep an eye on this website for the time. If any of you are bettors, the opening line for the game was Memphis by 4 points, it has since closed to Memphis by 1. It will be a big game, and the Wolves hope to force Game 7. 

Go Wolves! #RaisedByWolves