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:
