MINNEAPOLIS, Dec. 3 (UPI) -- Zach Randolph gave Memphis a five-point lead with 2 minutes left Wednesday and the Grizzlies, despite not scoring the rest of the way, edged Minnesota 97-95.
Randolph, Rudy Gay and Mike Conley each scored 20 points, but Memphis needed two missed free throw tries by Ramon Sessions with 1 second left to pull out the win.
Memphis halted a two-game losing streak and Minnesota failed in its bid to win back-to-back contests for the first time this season. The Timberwolves had lost 15 in a row before producing a surprise victory over Denver Sunday.
Ryan Gomes made a 3-pointer with 1:39 to play, bringing Minnesota within 97-95. That was still the score when Sessions was fouled just before the buzzer.
He missed the first free throw and then, hoping his could team could get the rebound, intentionally missed the second attempt.
Gay claimed the rebound, however, to clinch the victory. Gomes led Minnesota with 20 points.
