Game 1 Final: Grizzlies – 112, Jazz – 109
The Grizzlies have returned to the NBA postseason for the first time since 2017 and are playing as the 8th seed for the first time since 2011. Longtime followers of this team will recall that back in 2011, the 8th seed Grizzlies beat out the 1st seed Spurs in the first round. Now the new-look Grizzlies are trying to run that back for their playoff debut.
The Jazz were missing a key player in game one — Donovan Mitchell. Mitchell will almost definitely be making a return to the lineup for Wednesday’s game two, so the Grizzlies will need to plan accordingly.
The good news is the Grizzlies have a lot of positive momentum from game one they can build off, and a group of guys who are locked in and hungry.
The bad news is they are still facing off against the top-ranked team in the league, a Jazz team that swept the regular season series against the Grizzlies.
Here’s a few things the Grizzlies can do to set themselves up for another win in Salt Lake City:
Play with purpose — the stakes are not yet win or go home, but it would benefit the Grizzlies if they treated each game in this series as an elimination game. If the goal is to get past the first round, they must stay locked in and ready and adjust on the fly as necessary.
Defense to offense — The Grizzlies play their best basketball when their defense fuels their offense. They lead the league in fast break points and forcing turnovers and converting them to points on the other end is a strategy that has served this team well. In game one, the Grizzlies had 19 more field goal attempts than their opponents, which goes to show once again that taking care of the ball on defense leads to good things offensively.
Defend without fouling/stay out of foul trouble — this should be self-explanatory.
YGTMYFT — You’ve got to make your free throws. Grizzlies were 15 of 21 from the charity stripe in game one — a game in which they won by three points. Missed free throws have plagued this team all season long, and they can and will come back to haunt them in close games. Free throws are free and fun to make; tell your friends.
Next up: Game two against the Jazz is scheduled for Wednesday, May 26th, and will tip-off at 9 p.m. CST.
