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NBA: Gasol, Conley lead Grizzlies past Timberwolves, 100-87

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — With Mike Conley finally healthy to rejoin teammate Marc Gasol, and adding 6-foot-11, 242-poound rookie Jaren Jackson Jr., the Memphis Grizzlies have gone back to their long-trusted approach of physical defense.

It has got Memphis winning again, too.

Gasol had 26 points and 13 rebounds, Conley added 18 points and nine assists and the Grizzlies pulled away to beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 100-87 on Sunday.

Memphis, which entered the game with the second-most points off turnovers in the NBA, forced Minnesota into 20 turnovers and turned them into 19 points in winning for the fifth time in six games.

“That’s what gives us the best chance to win against any team,” Gasol said about the physical style. “I think that’s who we try to be consistently. Obviously last year was a little glitch in the system, but for the past what, 10, 11, 12 years, this team has taken pride on being a very physical team, and that’s what gives us the best chance to win.”

Gasol’s shooting helped the Grizzlies overcome their own sluggish offensive start. He was 4 of 7 from 3-point range and Memphis hit 12 overall.

“It’s a game-changer,” Memphis coach J.B. Bickerstaff said of Gasol’s outside shooting. “Those shots break games open for you.”

Gasol scored 18 points in the second half.

Karl-Anthony Towns had 15 points and 20 rebounds for the Timberwolves. They had won three straight games since trading Jimmy Butler to Philadelphia.

“There was a physicality to the game that we probably didn’t respond to as well as we could have or should have,” Minnesota coach Tom Thibodeau said.

The Wolves entered the game with the second-fewest turnovers in the NBA at 12.5 per game, but the Grizzlies were active early and forced Minnesota into eight turnovers in the first quarter. The Wolves had averaged 113 points per game in winning the first three games of the homestand after trading Butler.

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