Saturday afternoon your Memphis Grizzlies faced off against the Minnesota Timberwolves in game one of their playoff series. To say it did not go well could be the most understated understatement in the history of understatements.
Saturday’s game was four of the most frustrating quarters of basketball I have watched perhaps all season. The number two seed Grizzlies were dealt big work from the number seven seed Timberwolves, who beat Memphis, 130-117.
Let’s get into it.
The Timberwolves came out swinging in the first quarter and carried that dominant momentum throughout the rest of the game. The Grizzlies edged ahead in the scoring column twice but were unable to sustain a lead for more than a couple of possessions.
Minnesota’s Karl Anthony Towns shut down Steven Adams completely for pretty much the entire game. Adams, the league leader in offensive rebounds this season, was held to exactly one offensive rebound and three defensive rebounds. Four rebounds total. For the whole game.
Adams was not the only Grizzly to struggle Saturday afternoon, not by a long shot. As a team, they couldn’t hit the broad side of a barn, which was evident with 26 percent (7 of 27) three-point shooting, and 74 percent (32 of 43) free-throw shooting. With this being an Easter weekend game, I am glad it was played Saturday, so Jesus didn’t have to see them missing so many free throws.
By the Numbers:
Even aside from the aforementioned poor three-point and free-throw shooting, the Grizzlies were outcompeted on several fronts. Minnesota beat them on rebounding (46 to 35) and assists (32 to 25), two areas where Memphis tends to dominate.
The Grizzlies were able to capitalize on turnovers, scoring 25 points off 18 Timberwolves turnovers.
From an individual perspective, the numbers aren’t much better. Ja Morant finished the night with 32 points, 4 rebounds, and 8 assists — not too shabby considering much of Minnesota’s defensive strategy revolved around smothering Morant.
Jaren Jackson Jr. closed out with 12 points, 4 rebounds, and 7 blocks, while Dillon Brooks ended up with 24 points, 1 rebound, and 1 assist. Brooks was responsible for 3 of the Grizzlies 7 made three-pointers.
Desmond Bane had 17 points and 3 rebounds and was responsible for another 3 made three-pointers.
These struggles were not limited to the starters — the Grizzlies bench was outscored 43 to 32.
Brandon Clarke led the second unit in scoring with 17 points and led the team with 12 rebounds. Kyle Anderson finished with 6 points and 6 rebounds. Tyus Jones contributed 7 points and 6 assists.
The only good news right now is that this is a potential 7-game series, so the Grizzlies do have time to watch film and make adjustments.
Who Got Next?
Game two against the Timberwolves tips off on Tuesday, April 19th, at 7:30 p.m. CDT.
