MEMPHIS - Beginning a new season in which their accomplished and rich coach seeks consistency and 48-minute performance, the Timberwolves opened the Tom Thibodeau era with a careening 102-98 loss at Memphis on Wednesday night at FedEx Forum.
Before the Wolves finished their second season opener in Memphis in the last three years, they led 20-3 early and trailed by five points in the third quarter and led again by five points in the fourth quarter before they allowed the undermanned Grizzlies a crucial 7-0 run in the game’s final 90 seconds.
The Grizzlies played without injured potential starters Tony Allen, Chandler Parsons and veteran forward Brandan Wright as well.