The Minnesota Timberwolves dropped their second game against the Memphis Grizzlies on Monday night to snap their four-game-win streak in a 137-128 loss. 

While Minnesota was on a roll going into Monday's game, Memphis outclassed the Timberwolves in just about every way, starting with their offensive effort. 

The Grizzlies scored 30 or more points in every quarter in Monday night's game and even though the Timberwolves had a triumphant 42 point fourth quarter to make it a close game, the massive score they allowed the Grizzlies to rack up throughout the game due to their defensive lapses made the last-minute effort obsolete. 

"In no quarter were they under 30. So, defense wasn't there tonight like we needed it to be," Minnesota head coach Chris Finch said (via Timberwolves). 

Jaren Jackson Jr. led the way for Memphis with 30 points along with six rebounds and an assist while Anthony Edwards had yet another massive performance for the Timberwolves, scoring 39 points with seven rebounds and three assists. 

Finch was especially frustrated with what he saw as a lack of effort from his team in the loss. How badly the Timberwolves were beaten and the fact that they trailed by double-digit points throughout the game was made even more glaring when contrasted with the roll they were on heading into Monday.

Finch didn't have many answers for what led to the lack of competitiveness he saw from his team and instead directed that question of accountability onto his players. 

He also stressed the importance of maintaining a consistent effort in every game and not getting complacent just because they'd been enjoying a winning streak and were facing a struggling team.

"They've got to come in and put the work on. It can't be a sometimes thing," Finch said. 

With the competition that the Timberwolves are up against in the Western Conference, with clear title contenders like the Oklahoma City Thunder, San Antonio Spurs and Denver Nuggets all ahead of them in the standings and it's because of that tough competition that the Timberwolves can't afford to let up in any game. 

The Timberwolves spot in the playoffs beyond the play-in tournament still isn't assured at this point in the season and just as there is tough competition ahead of them in the conference, there is plenty of of tough competition on their tail as well. 

Minnesota has all of the talent to be a serious contender for the playoffs and the team has shown the ability to put that talent on display, what 's most important at this point is that they maintain the effort it takes to use that talent each and every night.