Memphis Grizzlies lose steam in 2nd half, fall to Timberwolves and drop to 1-9 at home

It was a familiar scene for Memphis Grizzlies fans.

The Grizzlies lost to the Minnesota Timberwolves 127-103 Friday night at FedExForum, falling behind big after the Timberwolves dominated the third quarter and coasted to their sixth straight win.

The loss dropped Memphis to 1-9 at home this season.

It was close through one half. Wolves star Anthony Edwards left the game less than four minutes in with a hip pointer injury, but contributions from Shake Milton (17 points) and Troy Brown Jr. (20 points) helped offset his absence.

Jaren Jackson Jr. got off to a good start for the Grizzlies, scoring double-digit points in the first quarter, but he battled foul trouble in the second and finished with 21 points.

Desmond Bane, coming off a career-high 49-point performance, scored only 16 points on 6-of-13 shooting. And the Grizzlies were dominated on the glass, getting outrebounded 54 to 28. Rudy Gobert imposed himself throughout the night, finishing with 16 points and 20 rebounds.

Minnesota beat Memphis at FedExForum for the second time in less than two weeks. The Wolves, with the league’s best record, have won six in a row.

The Grizzlies are back at FedExForum to take on the Dallas Mavericks at 7 p.m. Monday.

Grizzlies live score updates vs. Timberwolves

Fourth quarter

Fans head for the exits

Mike Conley hit a three-pointer that pushed the Minnesota lead to 20 points and left fans heading for the exits with 7:48 to go.

Minnesota has a massive rebounding advantage in this game. The Wolves have 56, and Memphis has 33. Gobert leads everyone with 18 boards.

End of third quarter: Wolves 98, Grizzlies 79.

Minnesota builds the lead...more

The Wolves are up 18 now, and Jenkins calls another timeout. They've built the lead thanks to some high-level three-point shooting and improved defense, and the Grizzlies are struggling to find answers.

Minnesota builds the lead

Jenkins took a timeout with 7:45 left in the quarter and the Grizzlies trailing by 11. Edwards has been ruled out for the game, but Troy Brown Jr. has played well in his place. He's up to 13 points and is 3-of-5 from three-point range.

Halftime: Wolves 60, Grizzlies 55.

It was a productive first half for David Roddy, who scored 11 points on 5-of-7 shooting to help keep the Grizzlies in the game while Jackson was on the bench. Karl-Anthony Towns has a game-high 14 points, while Gobert has 10 points and nine rebounds.

Desmond Bane has 10 points at the half after his 40-point performance on Wednesday night in Detroit.

Jackson goes to the bench with foul trouble

Minnesota has a 50-46 lead with 3:15 to play in the second quarter, and the Wolves have done it while Jackson is on the bench. Taylor Jenkins won a challenge when Jackson was called for what would have been his third foul, but Jackson picked up another foul just moments after the call was overturned.

Jackson pacing Memphis

Jaren Jackson Jr. has been effective offensively in the early going. He's got a game-high 11 points with 8:55 to play in the second quarter.

End of first quarter: Wolves 33, Grizzlies 31.

Edwards exits

Wolves star Anthony Edwards left just a few minutes into the game and went to the bench. He has not come back in to the game. Edwards recently missed two games with a hip pointer injury. He is questionable to return, the Timberwolves said.

Minnesota came back into the game and the Wolves lead by two with 2:36 to play in the first quarter.

Grizzlies start fast

Memphis jumped out to a 14-10 lead at the first timeout thanks to intensity on both sides of the court. Rudy Gobert has been a major problem, with eight points and five rebounds in just over five minutes. But no one else on Minnesota has been able to get going.

Grizzlies hoping to build momentum

The Memphis Grizzlies are starting to build some momentum.

The Grizzlies (6-14) have won three of their last four games as they enter the last five-game stretch before Ja Morant is eligible to return from his 25-game suspension. They'll welcome a familiar opponent to FedExForum on Friday night, when the Minnesota Timberwolves return to Memphis for their second game in the Bluff City in less than two weeks.

Both teams did not make the knockout round of the In Season Tournament, so this was one of two extra regular season games added to the schedule. The Grizzlies beat the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday night thanks to a career-high 49 points from Desmond Bane.

The Timberwolves (16-4) are rolling into Memphis with the NBA's best record. They've won their last five games, good for the longest active winning streak in the league.

What channel is Grizzlies vs. Timberwolves on today?

• TV channel: Bally Sports Southeast

• Stream: Bally Sports app, FUBO (free trial)

Grizzlies vs. Timberwolves start time

• Date: Dec. 8

• Time: 7 p.m. CT

Grizzlies vs. Timberwolves betting odds

• SPREAD: Wolves -6

• MONEY LINE: Wolves -230, Grizzlies +190

• OVER/UNDER: 214

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This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Memphis Grizzlies fall to 1-9 at home with loss to Timberwolves