MEMPHIS — Of the Minnesota Timberwolves’ first twelve games of the season, tonight’s was their third against the Memphis Grizzlies. The first was a close loss in the season opener in Memphis and the first of the litany of bad third quarters. The second was a blowout win in Minnesota in which Mike Conley and Marc Gasol sat out. Tonight was a blowout the other way, as the Grizzlies put on an exhibition of high-quality defense, eventually cruising to a 93-71 stomp of the Wolves.
The new factor in tonight’s game? Veteran Tony Allen, the Grindfather himself, playing only his sixth game of the season on his way back from a groin injury.