T-wolves try to avoid 'hero' ball, stay alive vs. Grizzlies on TSN

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — After frittering away a double-digit-point fourth-quarter lead twice in this series, the Minnesota Timberwolves could have already defeated the Memphis Grizzlies by now and be preparing for the second round.

The Timberwolves will try to stave off elimination by the Grizzlies in Game 6 on Friday night instead, aiming to show the league, their fans — and perhaps themselves — that they have an ample supply of the late-game resolve needed to be a factor in the NBA playoffs.

What they don't necessarily need, though, is one of their stars to take over.

One of the main reasons why the Wolves have been unproductive in the final stretches of games is a stagnant offense and forced shots from one of the trio of Karl-Anthony Towns, Anthony Edwards or D'Angelo Russell.

“Everybody wants to be the hero, and that’s not how you’re going to win these games,” coach Chris Finch said after practice Thursday.

Edwards tied Game 5 with 3.7 seconds left on a fadeaway corner 3-pointer. The second-year guard has quickly established himself as a true clutch player, so having the ball in his hands with the clock winding down is not at all a negative for Minnesota. The problems can arise, though, when there's little passing to or from him to set up the best looks at the basket.

“It was me. I was a lot of that, what Coach talked about,” Edwards said, reflecting on his Game 5 decision-making. He had 22 points but took 20 shots to get there.

Russell has had some ill-advised attempts, too, including a 10-foot pull-up in traffic with 12.3 seconds left in Game 5 that missed badly.

Entering the series, guard Patrick Beverley was the only player on the Wolves with any postseason experience of significance.

“We’re young,” Edwards said. “I