The Minnesota Timberwolves lack killer instinct. That much is clear after they bowed down to the Memphis Grizzlies in Game 6 of their first round playoffs series.
Heading to the fourth quarter of Friday's contest, the Timberwolves were ahead by 10 points, 84-74. Like their previous game, however, they collapsed in the fourth quarter and allowed the Grizzlies to come back for the 114-106 series-clinching victory.
It's the third time in the series that the Timberwolves lost a match after leading by 10 points or more in the third quarter, and that speaks volumes of their lack of ability to close out games.
As ESPN Stats and Info noted, heading Friday, playoff teams are 30-3 in games where they lead by double-digits entering the fourth quarter. Now, it's 30-4 with the Timberwolves owning three of those.
Entering Game 6, teams are 30-3 this postseason when having 10+ point leads in the 4th quarter.
Minnesota has 2 of those 3 losses. pic.twitter.com/iJiVNCqUGy
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) April 30, 2022
Contrary to the Timberwolves, the Grizzlies have shown their resilience throughout and have now become the only team in NBA history to win three games in a single postseason after trailing by 10 or more points at the start of the fourth quarter.
Friday night was the third Grizzlies win this series when trailing by double-digits entering the 4th quarter.
They are the first team to log 3 such wins in a single postseason. pic.twitter.com/Qvteh2R7d5
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) April 30, 2022
In Game 5, the Timberwolves were up 11 points after the third quarter. Prior to that, they were ahead by 16 in Game 3 in the final 12 minutes of play before the Grizzlies pulled off an incredible comeback.
Had Minnesota protected their lead in those games, the series wouldn't have to end up in six games. Heck, it would have been the Grizzlies vacationing early as well.
Unfortunately, Minnesota just didn't have it in them to close things out.
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