Conley, Grizzlies hold off Timberwolves
MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- Mike Conley scored 24 points and the Memphis Grizzlies defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves, 102-98, Wednesday night at FedExForum in the season-opener for both teams.
Minnesota guard Zach LaVine (19 points) hit a 3-pointer with 14 seconds left to close the gap to 98-96, but the Timberwolves would not get closer as Conley and JayMichal Green sealed the win for Memphis at the foul line.
Andrew Wiggins led all scorers with a 25 points and seven rebounds. Center Karl-Anthony Towns scored 21 points.
Zach Randolph posted a double-double with 19 points and 11 rebounds off the bench. Center Marc Gasol scored 18 points and four blocks and rookie point guard Wade Baldwin finished with seven points, six assists, five rebounds, three steals, three blocks and just one turnover off the bench.
Wednesday's game marked the NBA head coaching debut of David Fizdale, who took the helm at Memphis after several seasons as an assistant in Miami. It was also the first game as head coach of the Timberwolves for Tom Thibodeau, who spent five years as head coach of the Chicago Bulls.
Fizdale had to take the first timeout of his head coaching career early as Minnesota jumped out to leads of 9-0 and 18-1. Memphis played at a deficit throughout the first half and was down by nine points at halftime.
Memphis, however, carried a 76-75 lead into the fourth quarter. Green (12 points), who was 0 of 5 through the first half, scored eight points in the third quarter and hit both 3-pointers he attempted as the Grizzlies held the Minnesota to 16 points in the third.
In the fourth, Randolph scored the Grizzlies first nine points. Not until guard Andrew Harrison made a free throw at 5:52 for an 86-85 lead did another Memphis player score.
Memphis shot 45 percent from the field and 45.8 percent from behind the arc (11 of 24). Conley went 4 of 5 on 3-pointers. The Timberwolves shot 41.9 percent from the floor and 33.3 percent from deep (6 of 18).
At the half, Minnesota led 59-50 and Towns had 16 points. Conley led Memphis with 12 points.
NOTES: The Grizzlies set an NBA record last year when injuries hobbled them to the point that 28 different players got time on their roster. On Wednesday night they started the season with free agent signee Chandler Parsons out as he continues recovering from a second knee surgery and swingman Tony Allen out because of a sore right knee. First-time NBA head coach David Fizdale began his career with a starting lineup that featured PG Mike Conley and rookie Andrew Harrison in the backcourt, James Ennis and JaMychal Green at the forwards, and C Marc Gasol. ... Minnesota coach Tom Thibodeau made his debut with the Timberwolves after going 255-139 in five seasons with the Chicago Bulls. ... Minnesota C Karl-Anthony Towns was a unanimous choice as NBA Rookie of the Year in 2015-16 when he averaged 18.3 points, 10.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.68 blocks.