As the heavyweight bout continued, the Minnesota Timberwolves countered a brutal uppercut by the Memphis Grizzlies with a left jab to even the best-of-seven series to 2-2 in Game 4.
Memphis had plenty of chances to put the Wolves on the ropes but fell short, 119-118. As the series shifts to the FedExForum in Memphis, the Grizzlies look to regain momentum.
What Memphis Needs to Do in Game 5
Jaren Jackson Jr. must give the Grizzlies something offensively.
Jaren Jackson Jr. has been plagued by foul trouble in each of the first four games. This is still an aspect of Jackson’s game that hinders his stock, despite some progress. Averaging less than 24 minutes per game through four games, Jackson is shooting 38 percent from the field and averaging just 10 points per game — well below his standards.
Jackson has been unable to make his usual contribution on both ends of the court. When it comes to offensive fouls and fouls away from the ball, he needs to be a little more aware of what he is doing. Jackson has struggled to get into a rhythm offensively in this series.
The Grizzlies play some of their best basketball when Jackson is available. His ability to block shots on defense and switch to guard any opposing player, 1-5, gives the Grizzlies chances to win games and it hurts his team tremendously when he is off the floor.
When Jackson is on the floor as the primary defender, the Timberwolves are shooting 35.7 percent from the field.
A first-round exit is inevitable if the team’s 22-year-old forward is constantly in foul trouble and does not contribute offensively. He has to be available, period.
Meanwhile, his teammates are holding him accountable.
Will he play up to his potential in Game 5?
John Konchar deserves playing time.
As I stated previously, “Taylor Jenkins needs to go with some of the scrappy guys who contributed all season off the bench. One such guy is John Konchar, also known as Jitty. Known for his hustle plays, he is somebody who gets all the 50/50 balls, deflections and is able to defend. Konchar would bring a spark off the Grizzlies bench that was lacking in Game 1. The undrafted guard out of Purdue Fort Wayne was a problem for the Wolves on Jan. 13, when he gave Memphis a huge lift off the bench with 15 points (6 of 7 from the field, 3 of 4 from three) and grabbed a career-high 17 rebounds.”
Konchar should have earned Jenkins’ trust to get more playing time, especially when De’Anthony Melton hasn’t been giving the Grizzlies much on either end of the floor.
Play Up to Grizzlies Standards: Maintain Focus and Urgency.
Even in wins, Jenkins has mentioned the Grizzlies haven’t played up to their standards, and he’s clearly right.
There has been little consistency due to foul trouble. The Grizzlies have to have a sense of urgency for 48 minutes. Winning the first quarter is a key to victory. During the regular season, Memphis was one of the best in the league in first quarter scoring at 30 points per game while shooting 46.7 from the field and nearly 40 percent from beyond the arc.
Slow starts along with foul trouble have hindered that progress. This must change in Game 5.
The Grindhouse must be lit.
The energy of the crowd must give the Grizzlies a boost in order to win the game. Crowd energy has helped Memphis win plenty of games this season. It should be no different for one of the most important games of the postseason.
The Grizzlies have to keep the fans engaged for 48 minutes. There need to be thunderous dunks and WTF-inducing plays to keep the crowd interested in the game. The players need the crowd to be that 6th man like they have been throughout the regular season.
Ja Morant has to be Ja.
Morant hasn’t been himself and he said as much after the loss in Game 4. “I can be honest right now. I’m not Ja right now,” Morant said after Memphis’ Game 4 loss Saturday at Target Center. “I feel like I’ve seen y’all tweets — y’all know what I’m talking about. Yeah, I’m not playing above the rim. Most of the time when I go to the rack, I’m getting bumps, all this. I just gotta worry about finishing the bucket instead of worrying about the guys in stripes.”
Morant tallied 32 points and 10 assists in Game 1 and had 23 points and 10 assists in Game 2.
Game 3 and 4, it has been hard for Morant to get in the paint due to adjustments made by the Wolves and he has been getting double digit assists instead. During this series, Morant has been averaging 20.8 and 10.8 assists.
One of the reasons for the decline may be Steve Adams’ removal from the starting lineup. He led the league in screen assists (4.8), offensive rebounds (5.2), and box outs (11.3) per game. Adams cleared the way for Morant to get in the paint, and that is missing.
Morant was honest about his struggles after Game 4. “They just adjusted, changed their game plan,” he explained. “First two games, they pretty much stayed home to our shooters, allowing me to get downhill. Now every time I come off, I’m seeing three bodies.Only thing I can do after that is just make the right play. That’s why you see, I had 15 assists in this game. I know a lot of people don’t like that, that I don’t have 30 every night.”
It’s time for the Grizzlies to put their best foot forward on Tuesday night. They must get their mojo back in order to compete with the hungry Wolves. Whether or not the Timberwolves will call Memphis’ bluff is a question that needs to be answered. Is Memphis ready for “All the Smoke”?
