Play off positioning stakes remain sky high as Grizzlies host Timberwolves

MEMPHIS – If the Memphis Grizzlies want to avoid falling into the National Basketball Association’s (NBA) post-season play-in tournament – for those teams finishing seventh to 10th in the Western Conference – the instructions are clear-cut.

Close the season with three consecutive wins.

The Grizzlies (47-32) host the Minnesota Timberwolves (46-33) at the FedExForum on April 10 (April 11, Singapore time),and both teams will be in similar positions. If the Grizzlies can emerge victors, they will finish no worse than fifth.

As the final few days of the season play out, there is a logjam of teams in the Western Conference jockeying for a top-six finish. Only 2.5 games separate the third-placed Los Angeles Lakers (49-31) from the eighth-placed Timberwolves.

“We’re in a tough, tough battle with some other teams and I couldn’t ask for more from (our) guys. They are doing everything they can, and we will keep working one day at a time to secure the best possible seeding for the post-season,” said Memphis interim coach Tuomas Iisalo, who replaced the fired head coach Taylor Jenkins.

Memphis will start the regular-season ending three-game stretch with momentum. The Grizzlies have won three straight road games, including a 124-100 victory on April 8 at Charlotte.

“It’s very hard to say if we are peaking or not. I think we are playing very solid basketball at the moment,” Iisalo said.

Memphis dealt the Hornets their fourth straight loss, but suffered a loss of their own. Rookie forward Jaylen Wells sustained a broken right wrist late in the first half when he was injured during a dunk attempt by K.J. Simpson. It is a significant blow. Wells had started 74 games and averaged 10.4 points while often drawing the assignment of guarding the opposition’s top scorer.

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