Timberwolves fall to Memphis, their sudden high-scoring approach too low by one basket

The Memphis Grizzlies crashed the backboards any time, from anywhere and took 25 more shots than the Timberwolves in a 127-125 victory Saturday at Target Center.

But it was the Grizzlies’ last shot, with 18.1 seconds remaining, that mattered most.

Healing star Ja Morant’s 11-foot baseline floater over flat-footed Anthony Edwards and Rudy Gobert brought Memphis back from a six-point deficit with less than five minutes remaining.

It also stood up as the last of 108 field-goal attempts they’d shoot after outrebounding the Wolves on the offensive boards 21-7.

“That’s the game to be honest, 25 more shots,” Wolves forward Julius Randle said. “That’s something that’s hard to overcome. Still we gave ourselves a chance to win.”

The Wolves had two possessionS in those final 18.1 seconds to tie or win but couldn’t manage anything more than Edwards’ forced three-point shot, from 26 feet away, with 0.3 seconds left.

On the winning play, Morant took a handoff from a teammate and created enough space as his body went left toward the baseline and he shot back to the right with his right hand.

Jaren Jackson set up the play, stealing the ball from Randle after Morant’s driving layup with 54 seconds left tied the game 125-125.

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