West Notes: Grizzlies, Desmond Bane, Timberwolves, Suns

Grizzlies

The Grizzlies are just trying to stay afloat until Ja Morant returns from his 25-game suspension. But they’ve lost three of four after Wednesday’s toughie against old friend Dillon Brooks and the Rockets.

“We have to be better,” guard Desmond Bane told reporters. “We have to find ways to settle down offensively and get a basket when we need one and buckle down and get a stop on the defensive end when we need one. That’s what good teams do and obviously we’re working to get there.”

• The misdemeanor assault charge filed against Davonte Pack for hitting a teen during a basketball game at Morant’s house has been dropped, per reports.
• Brooks said before the game against the Grizzlies that they’ve lost their “swagger.” Bane responded that he didn’t care what Brooks had to say. “I haven’t seen anything he’s said,” Bane told the media. “I ain’t even worried about what anybody else got to say about our locker room.”

Timberwolves

The Timberwolves improved to 11-3 and 7-0 at home with Wednesday’s win over the 76ers — who were playing without injured center Joel Embiid (hip).

“Same way we approach every game nowadays,” Wolves center Naz Reid said. “Whether their star player is playing or not, we’re going out there to win. We’re going to play to the best of our abilities and put our best effort forward. That’s what we do every night.”

• Anthony Edwards led the way with 31 points and Karl-Anthony Towns scored 23 and grabbed 10 rebounds. “I thought it was a real good professional effort,” coach Chris Finch said. “Fortunately, Ant hit enough big, tough shots to kind of keep them at bay, so they could never really get a run together. We were able to always re-focus, have one more push in us, which was good.”

Suns

It wasn’t always pretty, but the Suns have won five straight, courtesy of their 123-115 win over the Warriors on Wednesday.

But considering Phoenix led 83-60 midway through the third quarter … and by just three with 19 seconds left … well, the Suns weren’t necessarily thrilled with how they won.

“We have to do better,” guard Devin Booker said. “Simple as that. We have to take care of the ball, no turnovers, get stops. When that game’s at 10, 15 points in the fourth, don’t give any team hope, don’t gave any team confidence.”

• Coach Frank Vogel was a little more diplomatic. “Really proud of how our guys competed and took control of the game,” he said. “Obviously, you want to close the game a little better. Not ideal, but really happy to get the win.”