Author: Sharon Brown

Sharon Brown is a University of Memphis graduate with a bachelor’s degree in Professional Studies with a concentration in Legal Studies. Born and raised in the Mississippi Delta, Sharon is one of the Memphis Grizzlies beat writers for the Memphis Flyer. She has created a niche in the industry by co-founding All Heart in Hoop City — a unique community of women sportswriters.

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Time to Grind: Predictions for the 2022-23 Memphis Grizzlies Season

Ja Morant #12 of the Memphis Grizzlies dunks the ball against the Orlando Magic during a preseason game on October 3, 2022 at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. (Photo: Copyright 2022 NBAE • Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)

The Memphis Grizzlies’ surprising run to the Western Conference’s second seed last season caught many NBA observers by surprise. Overnight, the squad went from being the NBA’s ugly duckling to must-see TV. Nonetheless, nobody will be caught off guard this year. The team has an opportunity to demonstrate that they are serious contenders in the West for the foreseeable future.

One can consider that the team won 56 games last year and has one of the best young cores in the league at under 25 years old. The Grizzlies are counting on improvements from their returning players and a group of newcomers. Other teams around the league made significant roster adjustments and have a litany of healthy players who are returning from injury.

Memphis had a season that set a new standard for excellence. By playing stifling defense, the Grizzlies made NBA history by being the first team to finish first in rebounding, steals, and blocks all in the same season. Fast break points, offensive rebounds, points in the paint, and second-chance points were also league-bests for this team.

Ja Morant #12 of the Memphis Grizzlies drives to the basket during a preseason game against the on October 3, 2022 at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. (Photo: Copyright 2022 NBAE • David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images)

Because of his tremendous growth as a player, Ja Morant was selected as a starter for the All-Star Game and became the league’s most-improved player. Morant agreed to a five-year maximum rookie extension, the team announced on July 6th, worth upwards of $231 million. With Jaren Jackson Jr. leading the NBA in blocks and earning first-team All-NBA Defense honors, the team won the Southwest Division for the first time in franchise history.

Sharon Brown and Aimee Stiegemeyer, the Flyer’s special Grizzlies correspondents, analyze here the key questions facing the team as they prepare for the 2022-23 season.

There have been several changes to the roster since last season. Whose absence will have the most impact on the Grizzlies’ success?

Aimee Stiegemeyer: No disrespect to De’Anthony Melton, but Kyle Anderson’s absence is going to have the most noticeable impact. Anderson is one of the most underrated role players in the league and his talent often gets overlooked because his style of play is not the flashiest, and the best basketball that he has ever played was during the 2020-21 season when he filled the starting power forward position in Jaren Jackson Jr.’s absence. Memphis will need a Kyle Anderson this season.

Sharon Brown: It’s possible that Kyle Anderson’s worth can’t always be reduced to a number in the box score. However, the group greatly benefited from his leadership. The Grizzlies were in a jam in the first round of the playoffs last year, Game 5. It seemed like the Minnesota Timberwolves had their number, and Jaren Jackson Jr. was frustrated and in foul trouble, but the veteran leadership of Anderson and Steven Adams helped the young team stay composed.

At one point in the game, the Timberwolves were up and were poised to even the series 2-2, but the Grizzlies were able to recover and win the game, largely in part to the veteran presence on the bench that night.

Anderson was a veteran voice the team needed, in addition to being a great ball handler and above-average defender with length. In Anderson’s absence, Danny Green is ready and able to fill that void with his leadership pedigree.

The Grizzlies’ most recent season set a new standard for excellence. (Photo: Sharon Brown)

Among the returning players, who will have the most impact on the court, in terms of the Grizzlies’ success? Off the court?

AS: On the court? This is Ja Morant’s world, and we are all just living in it. As Morant goes, the team goes. He has really come into his own as the leader of this Grizzlies team, and during games you can find him encouraging and coaching his teammates from the floor.

Off the court, I envision Steven Adams taking on the role as the team’s dad. Big dad energy was on display with Adams last season when he physically picked up and carried Tony Bradley away from Ja Morant, thereby thwarting an altercation between them. We saw it again after the season opener when Adams swiped a towel from John Konchar to give to Morant.

And while he is not a returning player, Danny Green’s veteran leadership and guidance can be of immense value before he ever steps foot on the court. Green has seen the top of the mountain and he has been where the Grizzlies are trying to go — the NBA Finals. The experience and maturity that Green has gathered during his years in the league will be a welcome addition to this squad.

SB: On the floor, I would say a combination of Morant and Jackson Jr. Morant can alter the course of games offensively and Jackson Jr. is the anchor on the defensive side of the ball. Off the court, Danny Green. Green brings that championship experience as a three-time NBA champion. He has been on the big stage and knows what is required. On media day, Green was adamant that the team lacked maturity in a way. “A lot of guys like to do the social media — the TikTok, the tweets,” Green said.

“We can try to limit that a bit — focus on staying locked in to the game and treating the game the right way.

“We love to have fun, but the basketball gods will turn on you if you celebrate too early. Acting like you’ve been there and realizing you haven’t done anything yet — regardless of how many games you won in the regular season — if you haven’t won a championship, there’s nothing to really celebrate. My focus is on keeping them with that mentality for the whole season: Job’s not done,” Green added.

The team is about accountability and I believe Green’s presence will help with that.

And Morant is on board also. “I mean we’re young — he’s a vet,” Morant said when told on Grizzlies media day that Green thinks the team can benefit from maturity. “That’s his job … to hold us accountable. He’s going to be a big help for us in that area. It’s what we need.”

Thirteen-year NBA veteran Danny Green brings championship experience to the Grizzlies. (Photo: Aimee Stiegemeyer)

Last year the Grizzlies finished second in the Western Conference. Where do we expect them to rank this year?

AS: Fourth or fifth seed — not because the Grizzlies got worse over the summer but because other teams in the conference got better. The return of Zion Williamson for the Pelicans will be huge, and Minnesota made some offseason moves that will help propel them to a better ranking in the standards. Memphis’ loss of Kyle Anderson is Minnesota’s gain.

SB: I’m going to guess somewhere in the range of 2-7. It’s the Wild West, a place where anything can occur. The Los Angeles Clippers have Kawhi Leonard and Paul George back, the Minnesota Timberwolves have Rudy Gobert, Zion Williamson is healthy for the New Orleans Pelicans, and the Sacramento Kings and Oklahoma City Thunder might make huge strides this season.

Which player will take his game to the next level?

AS: All signs point to Santi Aldama taking a big leap forward this season. His performance in the season opener shows him already playing at a higher level than last season, particularly putting up a double-double in his first career start. Aldama made himself useful on both ends of the floor, adding offensive power with some clutch baskets and snatching defensive rebounds. The Grizzlies and Spanish big men are historically an iconic duo.

SB: For me, I’d say Desmond Bane. Even though Morant was voted as the league’s most-improved player, that honor should have gone to Bane. The Grizzlies’ young sensation shot 43 percent from outside and averaged over 18 points per game last year. Considering Bane more than doubled his scoring average and improved on nearly all counting stats averages last season, he is undoubtedly taking another leap. Bane might be on track for an All-Star appearance.

He was phenomenal and a major reason the Grizzlies made the playoff push last season. Bane averaged 18.8 points and hit 49 percent from deep in the postseason.

The Grizzlies will have 18 nationally televised games, a franchise record. (Photo: Sharon Brown)

With Jaren Jackson Jr. sidelined for an undetermined amount of time, who will step up to fill his role?

AS: There is no one player on this roster who can give you all the things that Jaren does, which means it will take a group effort from multiple players to provide the offensive and defensive value missing. Expect to see this coming from a combination of Santi Aldama, Steven Adams, Brandon Clarke, and Xavier Tillman Sr. This is where losing Kyle Anderson is going to hurt Memphis the most.

SB: The success of the Grizzlies can be attributed to their “next-man-up” mentality. There is no egotism in the locker room, which contributes to the culture. Every single one of them has the same goal in mind, and that’s to win basketball games. That manner of thinking and feeling is unimpeded by anything. Every single thing is geared toward achieving that one goal.

In my opinion, any player on that roster is capable of stepping into that role on any given night.

Predicted season win total?

AS: Fifty-three games. The competition among the Western Conference this season will be cutthroat and relentless. On a micro-level, there is the factor of Jaren Jackson Jr.’s indeterminate timeline for returning to the court.

SB: Barring serious injuries to key players, I have them winning between 50 and 56 games. Memphis has the right vibe and players who are eager to prove themselves. The squad is still as confident as ever and ready to take on any opponent. And then there’s that person at number 12 who can alter the course of games.

The Grizzlies have a franchise record of 18 nationally televised games, and for the first time they will be playing on Christmas Day. Will that adversely affect the team’s performance?

AS: Not even a little bit. This group has shown that they thrive under pressure and embrace the opportunity to prove any naysayers wrong. If anything, the increased national exposure will be a motivating factor for this Grizzlies team, especially given how intense the rivalry between Memphis and Golden State has become.

SB: The opposite is true; it will only encourage them to improve. The Grizzlies don’t have much to worry about other than getting out of their own way and focusing on the task at hand. Morant is a once-in-a-generation talent for Memphis, with the capacity to completely dominate games once he gets into his groove. Memphis has taken a giant step forward with the Christmas Day game. To top it all off, the squad still has more to prove.

Five rookies joined the Grizzlies’ roster this offseason. Who should we be keeping an eye out for?

AS: David Roddy and Jake LaRavia are the likeliest to see game-time minutes early in the season, but I am most looking forward to seeing Kenneth Lofton Jr. develop and how his game progresses. Junior, as he is known, will spend most of the time playing with the Hustle in Southaven, but he has the potential to put up big numbers. If the Grizzlies can get the version of Lofton we saw during Summer League, he can be a substantial weapon in their arsenal for years to come. His basketball IQ and smooth footwork are reminiscent of Grit-and-Grind-era Zach Randolph.

SB: There was no doubt that Kenneth Lofton Jr., better known by his nickname Junior, was a sight to behold in the Summer League and the few games in which he participated in the preseason. People should go to Southaven to watch him play for the Memphis Hustle. With a two-way deal, Lofton may only play in 50 regular season games for the Grizzlies and cannot participate in the postseason. Even in preseason, the crowd was screaming “bring in Kenny” for Junior, indicating that he had a devoted fan base. A #FreeJunior hashtag has also been created for use on social media. Zachary McKenley Randolph, also known as Z-Bo, is a Grizzlies icon who is often compared to Junior. Lofton is a bucket-getter, a traditional post player who makes the most of his size and strength.

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Beyond the Arc Sports

Big Memphis is Back!

(Photo by Sharon Brown).

Basketball was in the air Wednesday night, as the Memphis Grizzlies hosted the New York Knicks in the season home opener.

Big Memphis was back like it never left. 

During player introductions, Memphis rapper NLE Choppa performed and led the Grizzlies onto the court.  Choppa was sporting Kennedy Chandler’s No. 1 jersey.

To the delight of the 18,202 in attendance and millions more watching on ESPN, the Grizzlies edged out the Knicks 115-112, in a thrilling overtime victory.

Ja Morant’s typical WTF?-inducing highlight plays got the Grizzlies’ regular season started off on the right foot.

Morant led the Grizzlies with 34 points and nine assists, his third consecutive season-opening performance of at least 30 points. Against the San Antonio Spurs in 2020, Morant scored 44 points, and against the Cleveland Cavaliers last season, he scored 37 points.

He continues to amaze. 

“I love it – love the pressure,” the 22-year-old said about his leadership. “I want to be the one making the play to put us in position to win. So anytime the time comes, it’s time for me to take my game to another level. Honestly, to start this game I was already ready, because I’ve seen some stuff that have me pumped to go. So, shout out to the Knicks’ social media team.”

Second-year big man Santi Aldama scored 18 points, on 7 0f 14 from the field, and grabbed 11 rebounds in 39 minutes during his first career start. It was Aldama’s third career double-double. Aldama’s move to the starting lineup is due to the unavailability of the Grizzlies All-Defensive specialist Jaren Jackson, Jr. who is recovering from a foot injury. 

Along with Jackson Jr., Memphis was without Dillon Brooks (thigh soreness), Ziaire Williams (knee soreness)  and newcomer veteran Danny Green (left knee surgery recovery). 

A going theme with Memphis is to be ready when your number is called and the Spaniard was prepared. “Like I always say, it’s [a lot of] work, but I was locked in,” Aldama said at the podium after the game. “I knew they were a good team, so I just tried to play good defense and on offense, just be ready to shoot. I think we did a good job just moving the ball like we always do, and getting stops down the stretch, especially. I was excited obviously — first start. It was a great feeling, but it was even better to get the win. That’s always how to finish games.”

Aldama had a highlight dunk of his own. 

Morant and company have confidence in Aldama while Jackson Jr. is out. “We preach to him to be aggressive at all times,” Morant said. “He is able to shoot the ball well and his size and length [helps him be] able to shoot over guys inside in the paint. So, we just preach, be aggressive, be ready to shoot at all times, and he played very well for us on both ends of the floor. Obviously taking a tough matchup tonight on [Julius] Randall and helping us come out with this win. Just gotta keep it going.” 

Tidbits 

Los Angeles Rams cornerback Jalen Ramsey was in the Grindhouse to watch his guy Morant. 

Ramsey gave his seal of approval after the win. 

Up Next

The Grizzlies do the Texas two-step with a back to back in Houston and Dallas. 

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Beyond the Arc Sports

Do or Die: The Grizzlies Must Win in San Francisco

Growl Towels: Ain't Ducking No Smoke from Game 5 - Warriors at Grizzlies (Credit: Sharon Brown)

Wednesday night’s 134-95 victory over the Golden State Warriors demonstrated the Grizzlies’ “next-man up” mentality in face of elimination. 

Ja Morant is doubtful throughout the remainder of the playoffs with a right knee bone bruise. 

“I mean, this is definitely impressive, but to use our player’s phrase, we deep,” said Taylor Jenkins on winning without Morant. “I mean, we’re deep. It’s as simple as that. I think we say that, not arrogantly. We say that confidently because anybody that steps out on the floor can make an impact for us.”

Jenkins added, “A lot of different guys stepped up. It’s really impressive, no matter who’s out. Ja’s out, anyone else goes out, our guys rally and compete, and tonight was a big win for us.”

“Next man up mentality,” said Grizzlies guard Dillon Brooks about playing without Morant. “We know how to respond. … We know how to play with each other better than any team in the NBA. We continuously find ways to keep up in our play. So, it’s just a fun style to play and it starts with the defensive end. Everyone bought in on the defensive end. Guarding, trying to get deflections, rebounding, and it builds into our offense.”

“It almost seems like whenever somebody thinks we can’t do something,” said Desmond Bane after the massive win, “we end up doing it. I never want to put a limit on what we can do, because anything’s possible.”

Tonight the Grizzlies will face the Warriors in San Francisco for Game 6 and will be a must-win to avoid elimination. Here are some things Memphis should do to force Game 7 in Memphis: 

Go big again

With Steven Adams back in the starting lineup, the Grizzlies dominated the offensive glass and outrebounded the Warriors for the first time during the series. Rebounding helped the team finish the regular season with the second-best record in the league. 

Memphis’ +18 rebounding advantage (55-37) in Game 5 swung the game in their favor. As a result, they had a 24-5 advantage in second-chance points. 

Prior to the last game, the Warriors have been winning the rebounding battle. Adams is a key factor for the Grizzlies both offensively and defensively.

“Steve-O [Steven Adams] will find a way to feed them in the paint,” said Brooks. “Same with Jaren, and once we get able to establish the paint, it’s easy for us to make threes. We relentlessly crash the boards. Relentlessly played off the catch and drag their close-outs.” 

“Then, ultimately, it opens up the three, so we have a complete game tonight,” continued Brooks. “It lets me know we’ve got to bring that on the road and keep that same effort and energy on the defensive.”

Make JJJ the focal point on offense

In Game 5, Jenkins made it a point to go to Jaren Jackson Jr. early and often. He finished with 21 points, eight rebounds, four assists, and two blocks. JJJ converted on 4 of 6 from beyond the arc. 

He’s been hearing a lot lately about how he needs to be more aggressive.

After the blowout win against the Warriors, Jackson told reporters, “Be aggressive. Take what they give me. Depending on who’s guarding me, probably depends on what I’m going to do. I mean, they want me to be aggressive, so I’m just doing me.”

Tyus Jones said, “It makes my job easy. I tell Jaren every night, dominate. That should be his mindset.”

Jenkins said after Wednesday’s game, “I want to get him going early in the game because I knew he was going to be a big factor early in the game, late in the game. He’s going to be a big factor for the rest of the series.”

“He’s the key,” Brooks told reporters after Game 5. “They got no one to guard him. No one to stop him. He needs to keep demanding the ball. The Warriors are going to have to adjust and double team him soon, and he’s going to have to learn how to pass the ball out to get his teammates shots, and that’s what he needs to do.”

Brooks added, “I try to tell him to stay aggressive, and you’re a walking mismatch out there for every single player that guards you. So just keep attacking.”

Jackson also needs to stay out of foul trouble. 

Everybody eats

Jones and Bane must replicate their performances from Wednesday. 

Jones ended the game with 21 points, nine assists, two steals, and zero turnovers plus he shot 4 of 7 from the three point line. Game 6 has to be the best game of his career as a scorer, passer and playmaker. He has run a consistent offense to avoid getting stagnant like it did late in Game 4. 

“We’re hungry — we’re fighting,” Jones said. “We’re fighting because our season is on the line at this point. And so, you know, we’re just fighting. We’re going to need these guys every single night from here on out. Simple as that. They stepped up. They showed up for us. We’re going to need that again Friday.”

Bane finished with 21 points like both Jackson and Jones. He connected with 4 of 6 three point shots. The Grizzlies need him to shoot lights out like he did in the first round series against the Timberwolves. 

The bench squad has to show up and show out. Last game Memphis bench outscored the Warriors reserves 52-35. Brandon Clarke and company must produce in order to extend the series. 

Will these young Grizzlies continue to do the impossible? Will they upset the Warriors and advance to the Western Conference Finals?

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Beyond the Arc Sports

Meet the Mom: Jamie Morant

Ja Morant, Teniya Morant, and mother Jamie (Photo courtesy Jamie Morant)

Some say a mother’s love for her children is unparalleled in this world; responsibility and sacrifice are inherent in the role of a mother.

The family typically turns to her for love and support because she is their rock, the glue that keeps everything together. Meet the mother of the Grizzlies superstar guard Ja Morant. 

For Jamie Morant, her family is her everything. 

Jamie and her granddaughter Kaari (Photo courtesy Jamie Morant)

“Denzel Washington once said, ‘A mother is a son’s first true love. A son, especially their first son, is a mother’s last true love,’” Jamie says with tears. “Ja is definitely that for me. He changed my life in many ways, while not even knowing it.”

Jamie was also quite the athlete. She was a point guard in basketball and a utility player in softball during her college career. She believes Ja’s athleticism comes from her as he followed in her footsteps as a point guard. 

“Most people think he gets his athletic skills from his dad, but everything besides the dunking is all me,” Jamie says with a laugh. “Being a point guard and playing certain positions I played in softball — you have to be the team leader, love what you’re doing, and be mentally tough because everything will fall on you.”

Jamie doesn’t have the visibility as her husband Tee Morant but she’s at Grizzlies home games supporting her son. “I may not be in the spotlight like Tee, but best believe do something to my kids and you will meet mama,” she says sternly. “I do not play about my kids!”

“As a mother, I instilled the basic principles of being a great person to my kids,” Jamie says. “Be polite, respectful, don’t see color, focus on your education, set goals and focus on them, work hard for what you want,” she says. “Give to others.” 

She continues, “But as a parent all we can do is hope that they carry that info along with them throughout their life’s journey.”

Ja Morant and his mother Jamie (Photo courtesy Jamie Morant)

Jamie became pregnant with Ja while she was in college and gave birth to him months after she graduated from then Claflin College, now Claflin University with a BS in Biology. 

Jamie Morant and her father on graduation day (Photo courtesy of Jamie Morant)

She recently spoke to the Flyer in a wide-ranging interview about her son Ja and her family. 

Memphis Flyer: What was Ja like growing up?

Jamie Morant: Ja was your typical boy growing up. He loved basketball, of course, but he also wanted to play football and baseball. Which makes sense because he comes from an athletic family on both sides. He also loved to dance and would entertain anyone with his signature Michael Jackson and Usher moves.

The adage goes: If you love Memphis, it will love you back. Why do you think Memphis and Ja fit so perfectly?

I will say this: “If you love Ja, he will love you back.” My son is truly a genuinely loving person, and Memphis reminds us a lot of home, so it was a great fit for all of us. We love the people and how they welcomed us and continue to embrace us.

Early on, when did you realize he had such a high basketball IQ? 

It was as soon as he could hold and dribble a ball. He always was different on the court and had no fear of anyone or their size.

Your daughter Teniya plays basketball. How does she compare to Ja and how do they differ?

Their mentality and love for the game are the same, but, as a parent, I make it a point to not compare my kids. They are two different individuals and that’s how I see and encourage them. God created no two people alike and I want them to always strive to be the best versions of themselves and not feel inferior to anyone. 

Your family is a close-knit group. How are you all making it easy for Ja as he is on his NBA journey?

From day one, we said the only thing Ja needs to worry about is his job, nothing else. Make sure he has as little stress as possible. So when we are home, there’s a lot of laughter. Ja is very silly and loves to laugh and be around family. I think most people would be surprised. We cook a lot and usually there’s a steady flow of family and friends new and old in our house. Definitely a lot of fun and love.

Ja says you instilled in him, he’s “beneath no one.” Where did that come from? 

The “Beneath No One” came about when Ja was in high school and not getting any college offers but was going up against some of the “top” players in the state, scoring like 30-plus points and winning. attending elite camps, etc., and still nothing. It started to discourage him, so one day I said, “Son, at the end of the day the pressure is on these other players and not you. Play your game, you know what you can do, and guess what, you’re beneath no one!”

Whether it’s Memphis; Dalzell, South Carolina; or Murray, Kentucky, Ja is always giving back. Why is that important to you and your family? 

Giving back is very important and Ja has always seen us give back. Our home in South Carolina was always open to many and we treated them all as our own. They would play basketball and then we would put food on the grill. It’s all a part of mentoring our youth and giving them a safe place to be and not in the streets. I honestly believe that’s how our family is in this position now. Bless others, and be blessed!

How is it watching Kaari, (Ja’s daughter) grow up?

She is such a joy and she reminds us so much of Ja at that age. She is quite the entertainer as many have seen at the games and is just so lovable. Kaari totally has all of our hearts but especially, Jama’s.

Ja once said that you are his best friend and that you taught him to celebrate women every day, that he carries with him in his treatment of his sister, his daughter, and other women. Why was it important to you to teach that to him? 

Treating everyone with respect is important, but as a man you should treat women with the utmost respect. I mean, you came from a woman, right? We see enough of the opposite in the world and I wanted more for my son. He truly has a heart of gold and is very protective of the women in his life. He is a truly protective big brother and I know Niya wishes he and his dad would relax a little. [laughs]

Men’s sports has the most notoriety and strides have been made to give women’s sports more visibility, but it is not enough. Do you believe that will soon change in the age of social media? Why is it important for you and your family to support women in sports? 

Yes, I believe that social media is good for the visibility of women’s sports. As a woman that has a daughter and now granddaughter, I want them to have better opportunities as a woman. We have been underrated, underpaid, and overlooked way too long. We will always support women in sports and fight for them to get paid what they deserve!

I ask every woman this, what do you do for self care?

It took me a long time to understand that self care is very important, because I’m so used to making sure my kids and everything in the household is straight. These past few years I’ve learned to focus on myself to maintain my peace and mentality. So I read books on self care and affirmations, journal, pamper myself, and relax on my back porch watching the waterfall and just enjoy nature.

Jamie Morant and her daughter Teniya at a Grizzlies game (photo courtesy Jamie Morant)
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Big Memphis: Playoffs Round 2 Preview

Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images

After battling it out against the Timberwolves in the first round, the Memphis Grizzlies have advanced to the Western Conference Semifinals for the first time since 2015. And, as in 2015, the Grizzlies will be facing off against the Golden State Warriors.  

But much has changed about this Grizzlies team since then — most notably a changing of the guard in Memphis. The Core Four era gave way to the next generation of Grizzlies basketball, which is currently in the capable hands of Ja Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr., and head coach Taylor Jenkins.  

Due to the league’s shoddy scheduling, which allowed only one day between the conclusion of the Grizzlies-Timberwolves series, this preview comes after the first game of the second round has already been decided. 

Memphis lost Game 1 to the Warriors by one point (117-116) after leading for most of the game. While Golden State is undoubtedly a better team than Minnesota, the Timberwolves matchup was in some ways tougher for this Grizzlies team than the Warriors. This series will give us a head-to-head matchup of the two most exciting point guards in the league — Ja Morant and Stephen Curry — as well as matchups between Dillon Brooks and Klay Thompson, and Jaren Jackson Jr. and Andrew Wiggins. 

Since their 2015 playoff series, the Grizzlies are 10-15 against the Warriors. However, since drafting Ja Morant in 2019, the Grizzlies’ record against Golden State is 6-4.  

The Flyer’s special Grizzlies correspondents Sharon Brown and Aimee Stiegemeyer explain what the keys to success are for round two and give their predictions on the series.  

What will the Grizzlies need to do to win this series and advance to the Western Conference Finals? 

Sharon Brown: Memphis just needs to play Grizzlies basketball, which is sticking to the strengths that got them there. The Grizzlies have no choice but to be extremely strategic and deliberate in their approach to defeating the Warriors. Because the Warriors are filled with veterans that will make them pay for costly mistakes as we saw in Game 1 of this second-round series. 

In addition to Morant and JJJ’s incredible performances, they’ll need more help off the bench to get the job done. If available, Desmond Bane and Dillon Brooks, who scored a combined 17 points in Game 1, should step up their offensive production. If they both can’t contribute offensively, this series will be over in a hurry. While Memphis’ bench was statistically superior to Golden State’s in the regular season, Jordan Poole will be a constant issue if he comes off the bench or starts. To win this series, Memphis will need a stronger showing from players other than Morant or JJJ. 

Getting back to rebounding, causing turnovers, and wreaking havoc is the key to this series. 

Aimee Stiegemeyer: Basing this off their performance in Game 1 there are a few things the Grizzlies will need to do if they want to advance:  

Better ball handling: The ability to create more possessions for themselves over the past couple of seasons is directly correlated with the Grizzlies’ rise in the standings. Part of how that was achieved was through forcing turnovers while also committing fewer of them. Memphis committed 16 turnovers in Game 1, and Golden State scored 24 points off those turnovers. Careless turnovers disrupt the flow of play and allow more scoring opportunities for the Warriors.  

Making free throws: At the risk of sounding like a broken record, missed free throws have really hurt this team, both in the regular season and so far during this playoff run. Especially when the margin of victory is as close as it was the first game in this series. In a game you lost by one point, going 18-24 from the charity stripe is unfathomable. YGTMYFT. 

Everyone needs to show up for this series: During the series against Minnesota, the Timberwolves rendered Steven Adams powerless and De’Anthony Melton was all but nonexistent. Once Adams is out of health and safety protocols, the Grizzlies need him back in the starting lineup. They will also need Jaren Jackson Jr. and Dillon Brooks to stay out of foul trouble. Brandon Clarke and Tyus Jones were crucial in round one, and that same energy will be needed in this series.  

Predictions for the series outcome? 

SB: I say Grizzlies in 7 because I believe they can win on the road in San Francisco. 

AS: I’m also going to say Grizzlies in 7. This is a winnable series for Memphis if they play like they did during the regular season. 

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Beyond the Arc Sports

Grizzlies Fall in Game 1 Thriller, But Game 2 is on the Horizon

Ja Morant takes flight against Malik Beasley. Credit: Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images

Sunday afternoon in Memphis, the Memphis Grizzlies and the Golden State Warriors put on a fantastic show before a sold-out crowd at FedExForum and a national TV audience on ABC. It is the first time in franchise history that Memphis has hosted Game 1 of a playoff series after the first round. The Grizzlies fell to the Golden State Warriors in a nail-biting contest, 117-116.

Ja Morant led the Grizzlies with a near triple-double, 34 points, nine rebounds, and 10 assists. 

Jaren Jackson Jr. had another breakout game with his best game of the entire season. Jackson finished with a double-double with 33 points and grabbed 10 boards. “It was cool — got going,” said Jackson on knocking down 6-of-9 from 3-point shots. “They were finding me. I mean my teammates just found me. You know, when you hit a couple the rim kind of looks bigger. Not really thinking about much, just letting it go. So yeah, it just felt good right there.”

“They are a really good defensive team,” Jordan Poole said about the Grizzlies. “They are long and athletic so [I’ve] got to find ways to get into the seams and be aggressive but also make the right plays because they feed off of energy and turnovers.”

“I mean pick your poison. He is so good at hitting in the key and I don’t think you know,” said Klay Thompson on Morant. Three-point shooting is not his strongest attribute — so when he gets in the lane and gets other guys involved, that’s when they’re really dangerous. We just tried to limit his impact around the rim because obviously he’s one of the best in the NBA when it comes to finishing down there and kicking out the three-point shooters.” 

In spite of the loss, the Grizzlies and their season will not be defined by this one game. 

Keys on how the Grizzlies Can Win Game 2

Win the rebounding battle 

Golden State out-rebounded Memphis 51-47. However, what hurt the Grizzlies the most was the fourth quarter rebounding disparity. The Warriors grabbed 15 crucial rebounds to Memphis’ nine. To break that down further, Warriors had 10 defensive rebounds and five offensive rebounds while the Grizzlies only had three offensive and six defensive rebounds. Memphis seriously needs to clean that up especially in the final period. 

“We just got to get the ball — find a way to get the ball,”  said Jackson on the team’s rebounding struggles in Game 1. “If they shoot deep threes, it’s going to be different types of bounces. Can’t get the ball under the rim so you got to just fan out. It was just some tough bounces there. Credit to the way it was getting off the rim, it’s tough. Some of those were tough.”

“[We] gave up too many second chance points,” said Morant after Game 1 against the Warriors. “Gave up 26 — gave up 18 fast break points. Definitely not something we want to give up and play a factor in this game.”

“I feel like that’s where we kind of messed up,” Morant said about the long rebounds off three point shots. “Felt like we were running to the rim on their shots. There were some long rebounds, 50/50 balls we got to come up with this team. We can’t allow them second chances or any open looks and they pretty much made us pay for it.”

Win the paint battle 

The Grizzlies strive better when they are winning the points in the paint battle. Although they connected with more three-pointers than the Warriors, it may not be sustainable. Memphis led the league in paint scoring at 57.1; however, Golden State outmatched them in the paint by 12 points (56-44). Instead of seeking contested three-pointers, the Grizzlies should find their way inside if the shots are there. 

This can’t happen in Game 2, if so Memphis will be in some serious trouble. Morant led the league with 16.6 in the regular season and the Warriors baited him into shooting more threes. Morant went 4 of 11 from beyond the arch. Although Morant was successful in the paint, he shot 58.8 percent in that area. 

Jackson must remain available

JJJ was a one-man wrecking crew against the Warriors. “Whoever is there really — I work on my game enough to deal with anyone,” said Jackson on post mismatches. “So yeah, you want to seek out a mismatch but it’s just about getting to your spot, really. Do what you work on.”

However, availability is required. In the first round, JJJ averaged 4.9 fouls per game in the playoffs, with seven games in total. To have him available at all times will be beneficial to the Grizzlies on and off the court. In order for Memphis to advance to the Western Conference finals, JJJ will be a key player in that process. A big question going into Game 2 is whether or not he can equal his offensive output. Jackson had a true shooting percentage of 75.1 in Game 1. 

Better output from the bench 

After limited minutes in the first round, De’Anthony Melton returned to the lineup in Game 1 and made an immediate impact on both ends of the floor. We are so used to three or four guys off the bench that can score in double figures on any given night. 

“[Melton] was phenomenal, staying ready,” said Taylor Jenkins on Melton’s Game 1 performance. “Wasn’t really in the rotation at the tail end of the last series, but just have a lot of faith in him, what he’s been doing all season long, staying ready. He’s had a good regular season overall, but especially against the Warriors. He was a huge boost for us tonight. Good stuff defensively, but obviously his shot making, 50/50, winning plays throughout the game. He was great tonight.”

Tyus Jones hit some big shots in the series against Minnesota. His offense is needed for Game 2 and beyond. According to reports, Jones wasn’t happy with the bench’s performance.

Have fun

When the team is having fun, they click on all cylinders and demoralize their opponents. Instead of overthinking, they need to go out and play as freely as possible. Match the intensity of the Warriors while having fun. The team is great at supporting one another on and off the court. It will be crucial to have fun and play their game to secure the win inside FedExForum at 191 Beale Street.

Fans in attendance will receive an awesome Growl towel:

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Beyond the Arc Sports

Grizzlies Advance to Semifinals to Face Warriors

Desmond Bane goes up for a jumper in Game 6 (Photo cred: Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)

The saying goes, “It’s not how you start that’s important, but how you finish.”

On Friday night, the Memphis Grizzlies defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves, 114-106, in the Game 6 elimination game. Memphis won 4-2, despite a lackluster performance in most of the games. 

The Grizzlies will face the Golden State Warriors in the Western Conference semifinals after advancing.

The team’s ability to prevail in this series is incredible; the tenacity they displayed in the face of enormous odds is truly remarkable.

With the exception of one game, Memphis trailed the Timberwolves by double digits before rallying in the final minutes to claim three of the series’ four wins.

That’s unbelievable, to say the least. In those victories, the Grizzlies appeared to cruise through the first three quarters and then demoralized the Wolves in the fourth quarter. It was go time. 

In their final three wins, Memphis won the fourth quarters 37-12, 37-24, and 40-22. 

For most of the series, the Timberwolves held a lead for more minutes but Memphis outscored them by a total of 62 points in five fourth quarters. 

Resiliency

Taylor Jenkins spoke about the team’s resiliency and poise after the victory. 

Dillon Brooks, who finished with 23 points while connecting on 5-of-6 three pointers, said, “We always try to fight and always have confidence in each other. And that’s why we’re able to pull out the game. 

“I wish we got better starts so we don’t have to put ourselves in that predicament,” Brooks added. “But we are always gonna find a way to fight and like coach [Jenkins] said in the locker room — there’s not one way to win in the NBA Playoffs. There’s a lot of ways to win, and we just figured out one way.”

Ja Morant had a walk-off interview with ESPN’s Malika Andrews. “It’s big-time for us man, super excited,” Morant said about the series win. “We got it done. It was ugly but we battled through, battled back, and got the win. We got the four wins, but we’ve got to be better in the next round — we can’t come out again like we did in this series.”

“Tired physically, mentally — this series was a battle,” said a visibly exhausted Morant while speaking in the postgame presser. “Coming in we knew, with this team, that we weren’t winning the series in one game. We knew that every game would be a dogfight. And that we had to come in locked in and bring our energy from the start. Obviously, the wins were pretty ugly outside of Game 2, but we got it done.”

Morant continued, “That’s all we can worry about now. We enjoyed our moment, our celebration but it’s time to turn the page.”

The Murray State standout tallied 17 points, 11 assists, and eight rebounds in the elimination game.

“I feel like we’re always confident, no matter what the score is,” the All-Star guard said about the fourth quarter comebacks. “We treat it as pretty much zero-zero.”

He went on to say, “We try to win the quarter and late in this series, the last couple of games since after Game 2, we were down double digits plenty of times and came back and won. So going into this one we had our same message, continue to stay together, play together, and we know the game is not over until you notice zeros hit at the end of the fourth quarter. We just got stops and some shots on the other hand that allowed us to win the game.” 

Desmond Bane responded, “Same thing we’ve been doing all year — next man up, playing well, not playing well. We stick together, stay on the same page, and I think it really showed on the big stage, this series.”

Bane scored 23 points and grabbed rebounds while connecting on 5 of 8 three-point shots. He finished the series with 27 made three-pointers, the most in Grizzlies postseason history. 

The second-year guard led the Grizzlies in the series with 23.6 points per game on a true shooting percentage of 66.6 and 46.8 percent from beyond the arc.

Breakout Game for JJJ 

Jaren Jackson Jr.’s availability was limited for most of the series due to foul trouble. It’s worth noting that he played for more than 34 minutes in the elimination game. He ended up with 18 points as well as 14 boards (season-high), three triples, and two blocked shots.

Jackson spoke to Grizzlies sideline reporter Rob Fischer after the game: 

“Yeah, it’s a good feeling being up,” said Jackson after the victory. “Still not satisfied. We’ve got to keep taking the good and bad with each game. Even when you don’t do what you’re supposed to do, you gotta have the same approach, like even when it’s a good game, you gotta just learn from it.”

An emotional Jackson shared a moment with his father, Jaren Jackson Sr.: 

Brandon Clarke Delivers Again 

Brandon Clarke had 17 points, 11 rebounds to go along with five assists and three blocks in the series finale. Clarke averaged 10.4 points and 5.3 rebounds in the regular season to 16.5 points and 9.0 in the postseason. In addition to his five offensive boards on Friday, he had totaled 23 rebounds on the offensive end of the floor. 

The Gonzaga alum is a big reason the Grizzlies are advancing to the second round. 

Clarke also was instrumental in icing the game that led to a dunk from Jackson with 36 seconds left on the clock. 

“His energy and activity were phenomenal,” coach Jenkins said. “We don’t win the series without what he did. … The boost he gives us off the bench, he runs the floor, he’s just ‘Johnny on the spot’ wherever the ball is, a loose ball, an offensive rebound, a tap-out. His teammates have a lot of trust in him when he’s picking and rolling. … And defensively taking a lot of tough assignments — switching on the guards, guarding Towns for a good portion of the series.”

Jenkins said Clarke elevated his game and made a huge statement in the first round series. 

Next Up

No rest for the weary. The Grizzlies have less than one day to prepare for the Warriors in the second round. 

Schedule – All times are central. 

Game 1

Sunday, May 1 in Memphis @ 2:30 p.m. on ABC

Game 2

Tuesday, May 3 in Memphis @ 8:30 p.m. on TNT

Game 3

Saturday, May 7 in San Francisco @ 7:30 p.m. on ABC

Game 4

Monday, May 9 in San Francisco @ 9 p.m. on TNT

Game 5, (if necessary) Wednesday, May 11 in Memphis – time and broadcast TBD 

Game 6, (if necessary) Friday, May 13 in San Francisco – start time and broadcast TBD 

Game 7, (if necessary) Monday, May 16 in Memphis – start time and broadcast TBD 

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Beyond the Arc Sports

Do the Grizzlies Still Want “All the Smoke”?

Ja Morant rises for a slam dunk against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Credit: Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images

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”?

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Beyond the Arc Sports Uncategorized

Ja Morant Wins NBA’s “Most Improved Player” Award

Ja Morant had a record-breaking season. The third-year player was named the NBA’s Most Improved Player on Monday, beating out fellow finalists Darius Garland of the Cleveland Cavaliers and Dejounte Murray of the San Antonio Spurs for the award. 

He is the first Grizzlies player to receive the honor – and the first player in NBA history to have won both Rookie of the Year and Most Improved Player.

Last season, the 22-year-old averaged 19.1 points per game while shooting 44.9 percent from the field and 30.3 percent from three-point range. This season, he averaged 27.5 points, 6.7 assists, and 5.8 rebounds while shooting 49.3 percent from the field and 34.4 percent from three-point range. His improved play also led to Morant being named as an NBA All-Star. 

A year ago, Memphis finished 38-34 and qualified for the playoffs after defeating the Spurs and the Golden State Warriors in the NBA Play In Tournament. Morant led the Grizzlies to franchise tying 56-26 record this year, with the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference. Currently Memphis is locked in a 2-2 playoff battle with the Minnesota Timberwolves. 

“It’s definitely big-time,” Morant said about his honor. “This award goes to me, but I feel like it’s a team effort.”

“That pretty much just shows our work ethic, as a whole, as a team,” Morant added. “We all push each other. We all want to be better. I thought we all have that ‘never satisfied’ mindset and that’s why you see three guys from the same team receiving votes for this award.”

The All-Star guard said he spent the off-season working to become more consistent from the 3-point line and trying to get better from the midrange. 

“Those were pretty much the two main areas I worked on this past summer,” Morant said on TNT.. “It allowed me to take a big leap in my game, as you can see from my scoring.”

Morant campaigned heavily for his teammate Desmond Bane to receive the honor. Bane finished fifth in the MIP voting. 

In his rookie year Bane, the No. 30 overall 2020 draft pick, averaged 9.2 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game. This season,  he put up 18.2 points per game, 4.4 rebounds and 2.7 assists.

In the end, Morant surprised his teammate with the award. 

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Beyond the Arc Sports

Ain’t No Running in the M: Grizzlies Look to Maintain Momentum on the Road

Xavier Tillman Sr. goes up for the slam. (Photo cred: Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)

The series between the Memphis Grizzlies and the Minnesota Timberwolves is akin to a heavyweight boxing match. The Wolves delivered a gut-punch on Saturday by defeating the Grizzlies, 130-117, to send them reeling. On the other hand, Memphis responded with a brutal uppercut, thrashing the Wolves 124-96 on Tuesday night to tie the series 1-1. 

The Grizzlies held the NBA-leading scoring offense to 96 points on 39.5 percent shooting in Game 2 after the Wolves scored 130 points and shot 50 percent in Game 1. For the first time in franchise history, Memphis won by the most points in a playoff game (+28).

In Game 2, Taylor Jenkins made much-needed adjustments that may have changed the trajectory of the series. 

Bench Dominance in Game 2

Early in the first quarter, Jenkins was forced to turn to his bench for help due to foul trouble. To put it simply, the reserves had a huge impact on the outcome of the game. The Grizzlies bench outscored Minnesota reserves, 60-43.

Jenkins was effusive in his praise for his bench squad, praising them for their impact in helping the team win on Tuesday night. “Our bench was huge for us tonight,” Jenkins said. “So many different contributions. Obviously one of the biggest ones is [Xavier Tillman Sr.]. So proud of him staying ready, coming out, making a tremendous impact defensively and offensively. Defensively rolling, offensive rebounding, iso defense, pick-and-roll defense, Brandon [Clarke] doing what he’s doing. Ziaire [Williams] had a great night tonight as well. Tyus [Jones] being a floor general, [De’Anthony Melton] having a good second half. We’re going to need that. I think the biggest thing for our team was just everyone needs to play better, and I thought we got that tonight.”

Karl-Anthony Towns has been a matchup nightmare for Adams. KAT went 6 of 8 when guarded by Adams, while Anthony Edwards torched Adams by making 4-of-5 of his shots in Game 1. Luckily for the Grizzlies, Adams was in foul trouble early. 

The Grizzlies were successful when Jaren Jackson Jr., Brandon Clarke, and Tillman defended Towns that limited him to just 15 points on 4-of-7 shooting. 

“Tons of discussions about our bigs, lineups, and depths,” Jenkins said on his decision to go with Tillman. “Obviously, Steven [Adams] had a tough start to the game with two early fouls, so obviously our sub patterns were completely thrown off. We needed to get another body in there. I knew that at some point [Tillman Sr.] could be a factor in the series.”

Jenkins added, “Really proud of him to step in, even in that first quarter. And then, he just played so well. The spark that he brought the team, they just took off from there. First quarter was a competitive first quarter. We had a great second quarter, and I just kind of went with my gut and said, hey, let’s try to continue to ride the momentum, start the second quarter, and continue to manage our big sub pattern as best as possible.”

Adams picked up two early fouls and only saw less than three minutes of game time. 

 “I’m as direct and honest with the guys as possible, and we were very forward at the beginning of the season that anyone can make an impact,” Jenkins said of his rotation changes. “Everyone’s got to stay ready when their number is called. Whatever it is we need to do to win a game — that’s why [Adams’] response was, ‘Coach, we won the game. Whatever we’ve got to do to win the game.’ But, you’re just direct with them at the front end, and when you make those decisions, you don’t tiptoe around and you just let them know what’s going on. But, always stay ready. You never know what’s going to happen in the series. It’s still a long series, so guys have got to stay ready.”

After the game Ja Morant praised Adams for reaction to being benched, “He’s a vet — our whole team has been saying it for the longest that we’re very unselfish,” Morant said. “No matter what is going on, we love to see our teammates’ success. Coach made an adjustment with playing other guys and taking Steve out. 

“But his mood didn’t change at all,” Morant added. “He was still engaged. He was still talking to us and encouraging guys. He even was talking to guys when they came off the floor. That’s just big time for us when we don’t have guys who get frustrated with not getting minutes. They’re always staying positive and pushing other guys to be better.”

Tillman had been the odd man out in the regular season and only appeared in 53 games. The Michigan State alum provided the spark that lit the match to  His quick seven points in the second quarter was the tone setter. 

In 21 minutes of play, Tillman went 6-of-7 from the field for 13 points and seven rebounds to set his playoff career high in points. 

“Surprisingly, it’s not that hard at all, especially with great teammates,” Tillman on staying prepared mentally. “On the day-to-day, like in play groups and whatnot, we’re keeping it competitive. My lifts, my workouts and all, I have in mind if somebody goes down, foul trouble, injuries, anything like that, be ready to go. I’m watching the scout as if I’m playing, so it’s not that hard.”

“Big time — he came in and guarded a tough player,” Morant said about Tillman’s spark. “Rebounding the ball and making plays for us on the offensive end was a big time push we needed. That’s credit to coach and those guys for staying ready. Coach is always allowing them to have confidence and go out and play their game at all times. [Tillman] is another very unselfish guy, always cheering. Coach called his number tonight and he delivered.”

Jackson credited Tillman for giving the team a boost. “Wild X appeared and got us going. He’s doing what he does. I’ve seen him put in a ton of work, so I wasn’t shocked by any of it. It helped everybody out. You’ve got to be ready when you’re called upon. Credit to him for being ready. He’s always ready. That definitely helped for sure. He came back in through the second punch, through the third. It was good.”

Ahead of Game 3 in Minnesota, Tillman believes the bench play is the key to winning on the road. He explained, “Going to the road, being able to have confidence that the bench is going to be able to produce like we have been. Especially in the first game, the bench played amazing too. So, just keeping that consistency, staying to our routine, staying disciplined with what’s been working, and don’t waiver from that.”

Keys to Game 3 Victory

The Timberwolves hope to reverse the momentum of the series with Memphis when they return to Target Center on Thursday night. The Grizzlies will have to play with a degree of urgency in order to win. Ironically, the Wolves are 26-15 at home while Memphis is 26-15 on the road. 

  • Keep Towns out of rhythm by going small like in Game 2 which means no playing time for Adams. 
  • Bait Edwards into poor shot selection and get his rhythm off.
  • Be sure to have D’Angelo Russell as a non-factor as he has been in the first two games. 
  • Get back to their bread and butter: Rebounding, steals, and second-chance points.
  • Everybody eats — distribute the ball effectively with minimal offensive mistakes.
  • Make free throws.
  • Shoot the three ball more effectively.
  • Start with a lot of energy and keep the crowd out of the game.
  • The bench unit should continue their domination.

Injuries and lineup changes in the regular season forced the Grizzlies to preach about their “next man up” mentality. When the chips are down, who will be the next man to lead the team to victory on the road?