Grizzlies' Jenkins rips refs after Game 4 loss: 'It's embarrassing'

Memphis Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins was far from pleased after his team lost 119-118 to the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 4 on Saturday to tie their first-round series at 2-2.

"We've got to play better, but in my opinion, (this was) one of the most poorly officiated games I've ever seen in my NBA career. ... I've never seen a more inconsistent and arrogant officiated game," Jenkins said postgame, according to ESPN's Kevin Arnovitz.

The Coach of the Year finalist's comments came after the Grizzlies were called for 33 fouls compared to 23 for Minnesota. Twenty-five of Memphis' fouls were charged to its starters.

None of the Grizzlies' starters played more than 34 minutes of action as a result, and all finished with at least four fouls called against them. No Timberwolves starter was called for more than four fouls, allowing all of them to play at least 34 minutes.

It was just the fourth time this season that any team was whistled for at least 33 fouls in regulation.

Jenkins acknowledged that his comments would likely lead to a fine from the league, but he emphasized the need to voice his displeasure.

"I'll take whatever hits are coming my way. I gotta protect our guys. We know we've gotta get better, but from the get-go, it was foul, foul, foul, foul, foul, inconsistency," he said. "There was actually one play where a foul whistle was blown before contact was even made. It's embarrassing."

Memphis had won the free-throw battle in all three contests before Game 4.

The Grizzlies still control home-court advantage thanks to a historic comeback in Game 3. The series shifts back to Memphis for Game 5 on Tuesday.