The Minnesota Timberwolves are riding high after winning seven of their past eight games.
The Timberwolves will hope to keep it rolling against the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday in Minneapolis, where they will play the second installment of a five-game homestand.
Minnesota is coming off a 14-point win over the Sacramento Kings on Sunday evening. The Timberwolves also have defeated the Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Clippers, New Orleans Pelicans (twice), San Antonio Spurs and Boston Celtics during their recent hot streak.
Timberwolves coach Chris Finch likes what he is seeing.
“I think our composure down the stretch has gotten a lot better,” Finch said. “Our ability to make the right read (is helping), and certainly shot making has helped in those moments.
“Coming off that week where we went to Phoenix, (Sacramento), Oklahoma City, we talked about how we need to be better in closing games and the themes that popped up. And guys have done a good job of addressing that.”
Memphis is looking for back-to-back wins after posting a 121-103 victory over the Clippers on Monday night. The Grizzlies have won three out of their past four and six of their past eight.
Some of the Grizzlies’ recent success has come despite the absence of star guard Ja Morant, who has been sidelined because of a left ankle sprain. Morant is questionable for Wednesday.
Regardless of Morant’s status, Jaren Jackson Jr. will try to lead the way.
Jackson is coming off a season-high 31-point performance in the Grizzlies’ win over the Clippers. He added five blocked shots, four rebounds, four assists and two steals.
Grizzlies coach Tuomas Iisalo praised Jackson for improving as the season progressed.
“He’s been working very hard,” Iisalo said. “The guys around him are looking to put him in better situations, and I think he feels very comfortable right now making those simple but not easy reads.
“On most nights, Jaren’s a mismatch nightmare. Put a bigger guy on him and now, he’ll probably fly in from the perimeter. Put a smaller guy on him, he can finish on the inside. If you double him, he’ll find the open player. So (it’s about making) those basic reads.”
Grizzlies forward Jaylen Wells said everyone benefited from Jackson’s skills on the court.
“When Jaren dominates, it impacts everything and opens things up for everyone,” Wells said. “We’ve got great leaders in Jaren, Ja, Kenny (Caldwell-Pope) and coach. We’re so bought in. We all invest a lot into this on and off the court, and that’s what it’s all about.”
The Timberwolves are led by Anthony Edwards, who is questionable for Wednesday’s game because of a right foot injury. Teammate Mike Conley has been ruled out because of soreness in his right Achilles tendon.
Both players missed Sunday’s game against the Kings, but depth players such as Bones Hyland (18 points, five assists) stepped forward to help the Timberwolves secure the win. Hyland could take on a bigger-than-normal workload again versus the Grizzlies.
“He’s got a ton of game,” Finch said when asked about Hyland. “He’s super smart.”
