Q&A: ESPN’s Brian Windhorst on Wolves’ Game 3 collapse, rest of series, and offseason outlook

The Timberwolves led Memphis by 21 points with 31 seconds remaining in the 3rd quarter of Thursday’s Game 3. Within 3:57 of game clock, the Grizzlies tied the game. Memphis went on to win by nine points.

Hours later and the next day, it’s still hard to comprehend what we saw, which had the Wolves leading by as many as 26 points, 25 in the third quarter.

For help in analyzing what we saw, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst joined our Darren ‘Doogie’ Wolfson.

***Click the video box above to watch our conversation with Windhorst***

Memphis now leads the best-of-7 series, 2-1. Game 4 is Saturday night at Target Center at 9 p.m.

Preview from the Associated Press:

Memphis Grizzlies (56-26, second in the Western Conference) vs. Minnesota Timberwolves (46-36, seventh in the Western Conference)

Minneapolis; Saturday, 9 p.m.

FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK LINE: Timberwolves -3; over/under is 233.5

WESTERN CONFERENCE FIRST ROUND: Grizzlies lead series 2-1

BOTTOM LINE: The Memphis Grizzlies visit the Minnesota Timberwolves in the Western Conference first round with a 2-1 lead in the series. The Grizzlies won the last matchup 104-95 on April 21 led by 26 points from Desmond Bane, while D’Angelo Russell scored 22 points for the Timberwolves.

The Timberwolves are 32-20 in Western Conference games. Minnesota has a 4-4 record in games decided by less than 4 points.

The Grizzlies are 36-16 in Western Conference play. Memphis is second in the Western Conference scoring 115.6 points per game and is shooting 46.1%.

TOP PERFORMERS: Bane is scoring 18.2 points per game with 4.4 rebounds and 2.7 assists for the Grizzlies. Dillon Brooks is averaging 18.9 points and 3.1 assists over the past 10 games for Memphis.

LAST 10 GAMES: Timberwolves: 5-5, averaging 117.1 points, 39.2 rebounds, 26.1 assists, 8.7 steals and 6.3 blocks per game while shooting 47.0% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 124.3 points per game.

Grizzlies: 6-4, averaging 117.7 points, 44.9 rebounds, 28.2 assists, 8.7 steals and 5.3 blocks per game while shooting 45.7% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 113.7 points.

INJURIES: Timberwolves: None listed.