Memphis @ Minnesota preview

Last Meeting ( Mar 26, 2018 ) Memphis 101, Minnesota 93

The Minnesota Timberwolves can ill afford a letdown Monday against the visiting Memphis Grizzlies as they fight to end a lengthy playoff drought. The Timberwolves pulled into Sunday holding down the eighth and final postseason spot in the Western Conference with two games to play, including a finale at home against the ninth-place Denver Nuggets.

With Jimmy Butler back in the fold following a six-week layoff due to a knee injury, Minnesota snapped a two-game slide with a 113-96 win over the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday. "Probably the biggest thing is the toughness," coach Tom Thibodeau told reporters of Butler's presence. "When you look at plays at the end of games, those are his plays. He's the guy that is coming up with every big rebound, loose ball, whatever the game needs he provides." The Grizzlies ended their home schedule in impressive fashion with a 130-117 win over Detroit on Sunday. MarShon Brooks scored 25 points and has at least 21 in all five of his games since joining Memphis.

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

ABOUT THE GRIZZLIES (22-58): Dillon Brooks chipped in 22 points and Memphis shot a season-high 57.8 percent from the floor in the win over Detroit, which came on the heels of a four-game slide in which the Grizzlies scored 98 points or fewer. "It feels good," interim coach J.B. Bickerstaff told reporters. "The guys are deserving but our fans are deserving too and I think our guys understood that from the beginning of the game. ... They deserved a performance like the one the guys gave tonight." Memphis plays its final two games on the road, where it is an NBA-worst 6-33.

ABOUT THE TIMBERWOLVES (45-35): Butler displayed no rust in scoring 18 points on 7-of-10 shooting and chipping in four steals in 23 minutes against the Lakers. "We need them all," Butler told reporters. "We need them all. We are not satisfied with just this one. We got a team that we haven't beaten this year on Monday in Memphis. They have been whupping our tail all year long." Butler's return also seemed to spark point guard Jeff Teague, who finished with 25 points and eight assists against the Lakers.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Grizzlies PG Kobi Simmons produced career highs with 20 points and seven assists in Sunday's win.

2. Timberwolves C Karl-Anthony Towns averages 22.9 points and 12.7 rebounds at home.

3. Memphis has won the last four meetings, including the first two this season.

PREDICTION: Timberwolves 112, Grizzlies 100