Memphis @ Minnesota preview

Last Meeting ( Dec 4, 2017 ) Minnesota 92, Memphis 95

The Minnesota Timberwolves are fighting to stay in the top eight in the Western Conference and trying to move up at the same time and get the luxury of playing the next three games against teams at the bottom of the standings. The Timberwolves begin that stretch by hosting the lowly Memphis Grizzlies on Monday.

Minnesota enters play on Sunday seventh in the West, 1 1/2 games ahead of the ninth-place Denver Nuggets and two games behind the fourth-place Oklahoma City Thunder after dropping a 120-108 decision at the Philadelphia 76ers on Saturday on the second night of a back-to-back following travel issues. "In the NBA there's an excuse every night if you choose to use that," Timberwolves coach Tom Thibodeau told reporters. "You want to build a mental toughness that you can overcome whatever is in front of you. That's what we have to do. If we want to do all the things we say we want to do, we have to be mentally tough." The Grizzlies are trying to build some mental toughness and bounced back from the worst loss in franchise history at Charlotte on Thursday by battling the Los Angeles Lakers down the stretch in a 100-93 loss on Saturday. "Our guys are a prideful group," Memphis interim coach J.B. Bickerstaff told reporters. "Again, at the worst of times, you still need to be held accountable. We had a meeting this morning. We watched the film. We coached them. We showed it to them. And they responded like they always have. I never doubt these guys' character."

TV: 8 p.m. ET, FS Southeast (Memphis), FS North (Minnesota)

ABOUT THE GRIZZLIES (19-54): Memphis insists it's not quitting with the season drawing to a close and a roster full of young players trying to prove themselves. "We have a responsibility to one another, and we won't do that," Bickerstaff told reporters. "We'll compete, we'll show up, we'll continue to try to get better. The only way that you get better is by playing, and playing at an NBA level. Whether it's this year or guys' future, this is an opportunity for them, and we'll take advantage of this opportunity." Power forward JaMychal Green is earning himself a spot in the team's future and collected 17 points and 16 rebounds in Saturday's loss.

ABOUT THE TIMBERWOLVES (42-32): Minnesota made a late run in Saturday's loss behind the reserves and is beginning to get consistent production from the bench. Gorgui Dieng led four reserves in double figures with 15 points and added 11 rebounds in the setback while shooting guard Jamal Crawford scored 13 points. All-Star center Karl-Anthony Towns turned in his usual double-double in the loss with 15 points and 11 rebounds but was just 3-of-15 from the floor.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Grizzlies SG Andrew Harrison (wrist) returned from a one-game absence on Saturday and collected 20 points and nine assists.

2. Timberwolves PG Derrick Rose (ankle) sat out the last two games and is day-to-day.

3. Memphis took the last three in the series, including a 95-92 home win in the last meeting on Dec. 4.

PREDICTION: Timberwolves 120, Grizzlies 100