Jaren Jackson, Jr. (Credit: Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)
The Memphis Grizzlies extended their winning streak to five games with a 114-103 victory over the Detroit Pistons at FedExForum on a foggy Friday night in the Bluff City. The Grizzlies are now 11-2 at home and have a 17-9 overall record.
Jaren Jackson, Jr. had 20 points to lead the Grizzlies and also added five boards, four blocks, and two steals on 8-12 shooting from the field and 3 of 5 from deep.
The defensive specialist has recorded four or more blocks in half of his 10 appearances this year. Jackson is averaging 3.2 blocks per game on the season. The 23-year-old also reached 400 career blocks.
Even though Jackson is playing great on both ends of the floor early in the season, he said, hopefully, it’s not his best, so the team can continue improving.
Jackson has been taking advantage of mismatches, scoring inside, and getting to the foul line more this season. “I’m definitely using my size better and working on getting extra dribbles, not just lunging out there ā and getting to the free throw line more,” said Jackson. “I’m emphasizing all that stuff.”
He attributes his increased rate of blocks to his availability on the court. “Iām staying on the floor,” he explained. “Iām able to be out there longer. When youāre out there longer, you can do more things. Iām just staying on the floor better.”
Taylor Jenkins had plenty to say about the improvements he wanted for Jackson after last season. “Obviously, he didnāt have the benefit of being able to work much this offseason, but just continue to challenge him, to build off of what you’ve done the summer before,” Jenkins said. “Defensive activity, versatility, obviously he’s so gifted with what he can do to protect the rim. Continue to challenge him to rebound ā four defensive rebounds tonight.”
Jenkins continued: “Offensively, continue to be a playmaker and challenge him to continue to move the ball. A lot of the offense runs through our guards, so trying to find those spots and just really do a good job, being a presence in the post, getting good finishes ā a playmaker out there if they double team him, and teams are going to start switching more. We’ve got to be able to punish them with him on the inside.”
“Jaren [Jackson Jr.] helps with everybody; he makes everyone’s job easier when he’s back there protecting the rim,” said Tyus Jones after the win. “It definitely allows us to kind of pressure the ball a little bit more and have that confidence knowing that they really don’t even want to try to get all the way to the rim with him back there. He definitely makes our job easier.”
“Jaren is a huge part of our defense and our offense,” said big man Brandon Clarke. “Really, he is a great anchor for us [defensively]. He can do everything on the other end too, offensively. He can shoot it, he can finish in the post, and I feel like we all have really good chemistry with him too. So, it just makes playing these games much easier.”
Clarke finished with 17 points, seven rebounds, and two assists while going 7-of-8 from the floor.
Jaren Jackson with a massive block over Joel Embiid (Credit: Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)
After a disappointing loss in Minnesota against the Timberwolves on Wednesday, Memphis looked to bounce back at home against the 76ers. The Grizzlies had a lackluster performance in a Minnesota loss that saw them have 27 turnovers and continued woes at the free throw line.
On Friday night, back home at FedExForum, the Grizzlies got back to playing their brand of basketball and defeated the Philadelphia 76ers, 117-109.
Philadelphia hasn’t beaten the Grizzlies at FedExForum since 2012, and Memphis notched its ninth consecutive home win in the overall series against the 76ers.
Ja Morant led the way for Memphis with 28 points and eight rebounds as the Grizzlies improved to 13-9 on the season.
Morant spoke about the differences in the last two games. It was like night and day. He said, “Pretty much just playing with a pass. Not playing in traffic. Itās why I felt like weāre a great team. ā¦ learning from mistakes and correcting them. The last game was terrible for us, so coming back with no bouncing back and less turnovers helped us win the game.”
Steven Adams held his own against Sixers’ star Joel Embiid, with nine points, 16 rebounds and a team-high six assists to go with three steals and three blocks. Adams even had a one-man fastbreak and it was a delight for Morant to see.
After the game Morant had high praise for his teammate. “I feel like thatās what makes [Steven Adams] so great for us all around,” Morant said about Adams and his matchups. “Him taking on that challenge to guard the best bigs ā being able to limit them and make their shots tough as possible. Also, on the other end, making them work, making them have to box out, and him being aggressive as of late has been helping us even more. Heās a big piece to our team, and weāre definitely thankful for him. I know he loves those matchups more than anything and taking on the challenge.”
Jaren Jackson, Jr. had a great game and capped it off with what some are calling the block of the year from “The Block Panther.” Embiid had a chance to cut into the Grizzlies lead late in the contest. He went up for a two-handed jam after getting past Adams, but Jackson denied him at the rim with 25.2 seconds remaining to seal the victory.
Jackson described the block after the game. “I’m going every time, or maybe not, you donāt know ā Iām looking at where I think he is going to put the ball, based on how many drives heās done over the course of the game,” he explained.
“Looking at [Steven Adams], because if Steve is in front, Iāll probably jump later, because he’ll probably do a second move on Steve, or donāt go at all because heās covered,” Jackson added.
He went on to say, “I saw him get a step on Steve, so I knew he was going to gather and go up. So, I knew the timing. I knew he was going to go up with two hands and protect the ball. So, the only shot I got is right here at the rim, thatās my only chance. I can’t jump early or swipe early, itās just not going to work for me. Thatās what I was seeing. It helps when Steve-O was out there, he makes it really easy for us to come over and help.”
Jackson finished with 22 points, nine rebounds, and four blocks while going 7-of-12 from the field.
The 23-year-old big man has scored 20+ points five times in the last seven games, and also has five games with at least three blocks.
“Each game, heās progressively getting better. Confidence from the three-point line, decision making is still taking a little bit of time,” said Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins. “How defenses are guarding him ā heās getting some different looks,” Jenkins continued. “His touch finish around the rim will come along with more reps and especially against physical NBA defenses.”
Jenkins concluded, “Defensively, heās had some big rebound nights, blocked shot nights. His activity is huge for us defensively, and that blocked shot at the end ā it was perfect execution. We talked about staying home on shooters, but if [Joel] Embiid got downhill or their driver got downhill late, we need someone to come over, and we know Jaren is going to be that guy. Big-time block, big-time play to seal the win.”
Tidbits
The Make-A-Wish recipient Aiden was signed to a one day contract with the Grizzlies and participated in pre-game activities. It will be a night he will never forget.
“It was pretty much just us as a team, as a group, making him feel a part of the team as much as possible, allowing him to be in the captain huddle,” Morant said after the game.
“I know itās a dream come true. He got his pick, he got his ball, and our team huddle before we break to go to Coach. Itās something no kid has ever done before but us. He should be proud. Thatās a one-on-one thing. I know it made him happy. I actually saw him dancing over there. We pushed him in and let him lead the group. He also did Jarenās three jumps too. Just making a kid happy and changing their life and giving them something to remember forever is what we try to do.”
āHe was at the right place at the right time,” Jackson chimed in. “I was just looking around, and he was perfectly involved. I was like, āHere we go, jump. Get ready to jump.ā Thatās what itās all about, making someone’s day. I bet he was hyped.”
Up Next
The Grizzlies will travel to the Motor City to take on Jaden Ivey and the Detroit Pistons on Sunday. Tip-off: 5 p.m. CT
Dillon Brooks over Jonas Valanciunas (Credit: Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)
For Ja Morant, it was his first head-to-head win over his former AAU teammate and fellow South Carolinian Zion Williamson, as the Grizzlies cruised past the Pelicans 132-111 at FedexForum Friday night.
The 23-year-old was excited about being on the floor with Williamson. “It’s exciting man, two guys from South Carolina ā where most donāt make it out ā and live out their dream, playing basketball at the highest level. Weāre able to provide, not only for ourselves, but for our families.”
Morant went on to say, “It’s big time. I know we both enjoy it, and being out there on the court together is even better. Heās a special talent, obviously. Weāre not used to playing against each other; it’s still good, always room for praying he has a very healthy career, being able to showcase his talent at the highest level, being 100 percent.”
Morant finished with his fourth double-double of the season by tallying 23 points and 11 assists.
Was it the most complete game of the season for Memphis? Grizzlies head Taylor Jenkins thought so. “It’s definitely up there ā super proud of the group,” Jenkins said after the game. “The Pelicans are always a tough matchup for us.”
Yes, the Pelicans have been a tough matchup, particularly when Williamson is available. Memphis is now 1-5 against New Orleans when Williamson is on the floor.
Jenkins added, “I thought our first quarter defensive activity, the ball movement, the pace we were playing with … Ja set a tone, Dillon [Brooks] set a tone, Steven [Adams] set a tone. Those guys were great on both sides.”
“I thought our defensive activity was great,” Jenkins concluded. “We held them to 48 points in the first half, knowing that they were going to come out and make a run. We just exploded more in the third quarter. Definitely a really solid win by our group. A lot of guys contributed tonight on both ends.”
That would include Brooks, who had a spectacular night, particularly defending Williamson, who only scored 14 points in 30 minutes of play. Brooks harassed Williamson and had him out of sync most of the game.Ā
“That plays more into my defense and physicality ā trying to meet him before the rim,” said Brooks about guarding Williamson. “He finds ways to jump over you, get by you. And I just try to keep him to his right hand mostly ā¦ make him finish with his right hand. Thatās the matchup.”
Brooks led all scorers with 25 points, going 8-of-15 from the field. He also had four assists.
After being listed as questionable due to a non-Covid illness, Adams was available, made his presence known early, and nabbed his sixth double-double of the season with 15 points and 11 rebounds.
Jaren Jackson, Jr. was in foul trouble early, but it didn’t stop him from having a productive game. He finished with 20 points on 6-of-7 shooting and three blocks.
Jenkins was pleased with Jackson’s play: ā[It’s] more about JJ just doing what he’s great at. Being super active, drives, pick-and-rolls, post-up situations. Just unleashing him to protect our paint with that activity.”
“I thought he did a great job,” Jenkins continued. “Three blocks tonight, but [he] altered a lot with the emphasis of them trying to get to the paint. Whether it was with Zion [Williamson] or Jonas [Valanciunas] … I think he did a great job.”
Up Next
The Grizzlies head to Madison Square Garden to take on the Knicks, looking to take the season series 2-0. Tip-off: Sunday, November 27th at 5 p.m. CT.Ā
Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson, Jr. (Photo credit: Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)
Jaren Jackson, Jr. was ready for his first home game of the season which was also ‘Block Panther’ sock giveaway night. He had missed the first 14 games of the season after being sidelined recovering from right foot surgery.
The Grizzlies gave away Block Panther socks to the first 5,000 fans on Friday night (photo cred: Sharon Brown)
The 23-year-old finished with 25 points, 12 rebounds, three blocks and two steals.
Jackson led Memphis to a win over the Thunder, 121-110. The victory ended a two-game losing streak for the Grizzlies, who improved to 6-1 on the season at FedExForum.Ā
The Michigan State alum spoke about his improved rebounding numbers and paint play: “Just using my body better, knowing how to. It is really just watching Steven Adams and the things he does, like offensive rebounding on the free throw line and around the rim. How to use his body to his advantage, where and how he does things.”Ā
Jackson concluded, “Iām not going to give the secrets out, credit to him and what I have been able to see up close. Iāve been able to ask questions all the time on how to be better.”
“Itās obviously been a point of emphasis that weāre talking to Jaren about,” Jenkins said about Jackson’s play in the interior. Itās finding those opportunities to get inside of the paint, be a threat on the offensive side, whether itās by design or he just kind of feels it out on his own.”
Jenkins added, “Ja [Morant] was even seeking him out I think there in the first half to get him inside too. So, itās definitely an element of our offense that weāve been working on and talking about. Hopefully we utilize that a little bit more moving forward so that we have more threats on the inside.”
Ja Morant left the game late in the fourth quarter due to an ankle injury. Morant had to be helped to the locker room.
After the game Jenkins spoke about Morant’s injury: “He just tweaked his ankle there late in the fourth,” said Jenkins. “Really not much to report. Theyāre just going to get some more imaging and testing tonight and tomorrow. Iāll have more of an update tomorrow.”
The Grizzlies are obviously hoping the injury isn’t too serious, as the team is already without sharpshooter Desmond Bane (toe sprain) for at least two to three weeks.Ā
Morant finished with a near triple-double with 19 points, 11 assists and seven rebounds.
In the best game of his career (with career highs in points and three-point makes), John Konchar chipped in 19 points and 10 rebounds while going 5-of-7 from beyond the arc.Ā
After the game, Konchar commented on his three-pointers: “The Thunder likes to shift off the corner threes a lot. Ja got downhill and collapsed everybody, and yeah, I was open for a lot of them.”
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 ā¢ Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
The Memphis Grizzliesā surprising run to the Western Conferenceās second seed last season caught many NBA observers by surprise. Overnight, the squad went from being the NBAās 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 ā¢ 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 leagueās 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 Flyerās 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 Grizzliesā success?
Aimee Stiegemeyer: No disrespect to DeāAnthony Melton, but Kyle Andersonās 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.ās absence. Memphis will need a Kyle Anderson this season.
Sharon Brown: Itās possible that Kyle Andersonās worth canāt 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 Andersonās absence, Danny Green is ready and able to fill that void with his leadership pedigree.
The Grizzliesā 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 Grizzliesā success? Off the court?
AS: On the court? This is Ja Morantās 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 teamās 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 Greenās 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 ā 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. āA lot of guys like to do the social media ā the TikTok, the tweets,ā Green said.
āWe can try to limit that a bit ā focus on staying locked in to the game and treating the game the right way.
āWe love to have fun, but the basketball gods will turn on you if you celebrate too early. Acting like youāve been there and realizing you havenāt done anything yet ā regardless of how many games you won in the regular season ā if you havenāt won a championship, thereās nothing to really celebrate. My focus is on keeping them with that mentality for the whole season: Jobās not done,ā Green added.
The team is about accountability and I believe Greenās presence will help with that.
And Morant is on board also. āI mean weāre young ā heās a vet,ā Morant said when told on Grizzlies media day that Green thinks the team can benefit from maturity. āThatās his job ā¦ to hold us accountable. Heās going to be a big help for us in that area. Itās what we need.ā
Thirteen-year NBA veteranDanny 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 ā 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. Memphisā loss of Kyle Anderson is Minnesotaās gain.
SB: Iām going to guess somewhere in the range of 2-7. Itās 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, Iād say Desmond Bane. Even though Morant was voted as the leagueās most-improved player, that honor should have gone to Bane. The Grizzliesā 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 ānext-man-upā 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 thatās 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.ās 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 thereās 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 teamās 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 donāt 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 Grizzliesā 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 ābring in Kennyā 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.
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’ ānext-man upā 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 playerās phrase, we deep,” said Taylor Jenkins on winning without Morant. “I mean, weāre deep. Itās 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. Itās really impressive, no matter whoās out. Jaās 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. ā¦ 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, itās 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 canāt 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 anythingās 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 weāve 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. Heās going to be a big factor for the rest of the series.”
“Heās 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 heās going to have to learn how to pass the ball out to get his teammates shots, and thatās what he needs to do.”
Brooks added, “I try to tell him to stay aggressive, and youāre 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.Ā
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 ā 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?
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.Ā
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 ā 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.ā
āThey are a really good defensive team,ā Jordan Poole said about the Grizzlies. āThey are long and athletic so [Iāve] 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.ā
āI mean pick your poison. He is so good at hitting in the key and I don’t think you know,ā said Klay Thompson on Morant. Three-point shooting is not his strongest attribute ā 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.”Ā
In spite of the loss, the Grizzlies and their season will not be defined by this one game.Ā
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 Memphisā 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.Ā
āWe just got to get the ball ā find a way to get the ball,āĀ said Jackson on the teamās rebounding struggles in Game 1. āIf they shoot deep threes, itās going to be different types of bounces. Canāt 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, itās tough. Some of those were tough.ā
ā[We] gave up too many second chance points,ā said Morant after Game 1 against the Warriors. āGave up 26 ā gave up 18 fast break points. Definitely not something we want to give up and play a factor in this game.ā
āI feel like thatās where we kind of messed up,ā Morant said about the long rebounds off three point shots. āFelt 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 canāt allow them second chances or any open looks and they pretty much made us pay for it.ā
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.Ā
This canāt 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. āWhoever is there really ā I work on my game enough to deal with anyone,ā said Jackson on post mismatches. āSo yeah, you want to seek out a mismatch but itās just about getting to your spot, really. Do what you work on.ā
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.Ā
Better output from the bench
After limited minutes in the first round, DeāAnthony 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.
ā[Melton] was phenomenal, staying ready,ā said Taylor Jenkins on Meltonās Game 1 performance. āWasnāt really in the rotation at the tail end of the last series, but just have a lot of faith in him, what heās been doing all season long, staying ready. Heās 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.ā
Tyus Jones hit some big shots in the series against Minnesota. His offense is needed for Game 2 and beyond. According to reports, Jones wasnāt happyĀ with the benchās performance.
Just wrapped up @memgrizz media availability. Here are some main takeaways:
-Tyus Jones said the bench unit wasnāt sharp or in their flow -the team isnāt going to weigh too much on 1 game -Kyle Anderson takes pride in rebounding and said he and the team will do better
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 greatĀ 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:
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.Ā
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.Ā
In their final three wins, Memphis won the fourth quarters 37-12, 37-24, and 40-22.Ā
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.Ā
Grizzlies outscored Timberwolves by 62 points in the fourth quarter in the series
Thatās the most in NBA postseason history for a single series
— Bally Sports: Grizzlies (@GrizzOnBally) April 30, 2022
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.Ā
āI wish we got better starts so we donāt have to put ourselves in that predicament,ā Brooks added. āBut we are always gonna find a way to fight and like coach [Jenkins] said in the locker room ā there’s not one way to win in the NBA Playoffs. Thereās 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 ā we can’t come out again like we did in this series.”
āTired physically, mentally ā this series was a battle,ā said a visibly exhausted Morant while speaking in the postgame presser. āComing 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 weāre always confident, no matter what the score is,ā the All-Star guard said about the fourth quarter comebacks. āWe treat it as pretty much zero-zero.ā
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.”Ā
Desmond Bane responded, “Same thing we’ve been doing all year ā 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.Ā
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 JJJĀ
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:
— Bally Sports: Grizzlies (@GrizzOnBally) April 30, 2022
āYeah, itās a good feeling being up,ā said Jackson after the victory. āStill not satisfied. Weāve got to keep taking the good and bad with each game. Even when you donāt do what youāre supposed to do, you gotta have the same approach, like even when itās a good game, you gotta just learn from it.ā
An emotional Jackson shared a moment with his father, Jaren Jackson Sr.:
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.Ā
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.
— Bally Sports: Grizzlies (@GrizzOnBally) April 30, 2022
āHis energy and activity were phenomenal,ā coach Jenkins said. “We donāt win the series without what he did. ā¦ The boost he gives us off the bench, he runs the floor, heās just āJohnny on the spotā wherever the ball is, a loose ball, an offensive rebound, a tap-out. His teammates have a lot of trust in him when heās picking and rolling. ā¦ And defensively taking a lot of tough assignments ā 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 ā 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 @Ā 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
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 Jacksonās 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 ā well below his standards.Ā
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.Ā
When Jaren Jackson Jr has been on the floor, Minnesota is shooting 38% overall and 35% from three.
When Jackson has been off the floor, Minnesota is shooting 49% overall and 41% from three.
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 teamās 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.
Dillon Brooks on Jaren Jackson Jr. reveals some of whatās being said behind the scenes heading into Game 5 pic.twitter.com/kiKCh9nh6V
As I stated previously, āTaylor 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.ā
Konchar should have earned Jenkinsā trust to get more playing time, especially when DeāAnthony Melton hasnāt been giving the Grizzlies much on either end of the floor.Ā
Play Up to Grizzlies Standards: Maintain Focus and Urgency.
Even in wins, Jenkins has mentioned the Grizzlies havenāt played up to their standards, and heās 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 hasnāt been himself and he said as much after the loss in Game 4. āI can be honest right now. Iām not Ja right now,ā Morant said after Memphisā Game 4 loss Saturday at Target Center. āI feel like Iāve seen yāall tweets ā yāall know what Iām talking about. Yeah, Iām not playing above the rim. Most of the time when I go to the rack, Iām getting bumps, all this. I just gotta worry about finishing the bucket instead of worrying about the guys in stripes.ā
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 Adamsā 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. āThey just adjusted, changed their game plan,ā he explained. āFirst two games, they pretty much stayed home to our shooters, allowing me to get downhill. Now every time I come off, Iām seeing three bodies.Only thing I can do after that is just make the right play. Thatās why you see, I had 15 assists in this game. I know a lot of people donāt like that, that I donāt have 30 every night.ā
Itās 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 Memphisā bluff is a question that needs to be answered. Is Memphis ready for āAll the Smokeā?
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. āOur bench was huge for us tonight,ā Jenkins said. āSo 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 heās doing. Ziaire [Williams] had a great night tonight as well. Tyus [Jones] being a floor general, [DeāAnthony Melton] having a good second half. Weāre 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.ā
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.
āTons of discussions about our bigs, lineups, and depths,ā Jenkins said on his decision to go with Tillman. āObviously, 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.ā
Jenkins added, āReally 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, letās try to continue to ride the momentum, start the second quarter, and continue to manage our big sub pattern as best as possible.ā
Adams picked up two early fouls and only saw less than three minutes of game time.
āIām 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,ā Jenkins said of his rotation changes. āEveryoneās got to stay ready when their number is called. Whatever it is we need to do to win a game ā thatās why [Adamsā] response was, āCoach, we won the game. Whatever weāve got to do to win the game.ā But, youāre just direct with them at the front end, and when you make those decisions, you donāt tiptoe around and you just let them know whatās going on. But, always stay ready. You never know whatās going to happen in the series. Itās still a long series, so guys have got to stay ready.ā
After the game Ja Morant praised Adams for reaction to being benched, āHeās a vet ā our whole team has been saying it for the longest that weāre very unselfish,ā Morant said. āNo matter what is going on, we love to see our teammatesā success. Coach made an adjustment with playing other guys and taking Steve out.
āBut his mood didnāt change at all,ā Morant added. āHe was still engaged. He was still talking to us and encouraging guys. He even was talking to guys when they came off the floor. Thatās just big time for us when we donāt have guys who get frustrated with not getting minutes. Theyāre always staying positive and pushing other guys to be better.ā
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.
āSurprisingly, itās not that hard at all, especially with great teammates,ā Tillman on staying prepared mentally. āOn the day-to-day, like in play groups and whatnot, weāre 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. Iām watching the scout as if Iām playing, so itās not that hard.ā
āBig time ā he came in and guarded a tough player,ā Morant said about Tillmanās spark. āRebounding the ball and making plays for us on the offensive end was a big time push we needed. Thatās 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.ā
Jackson credited Tillman for giving the team a boost. āWild X appeared and got us going. Heās doing what he does. Iāve seen him put in a ton of work, so I wasnāt shocked by any of it. It helped everybody out. Youāve got to be ready when youāre called upon. Credit to him for being ready. Heās always ready. That definitely helped for sure. He came back in through the second punch, through the third. It was good.ā
— Bally Sports: Grizzlies (@GrizzOnBally) April 20, 2022
Ahead of Game 3 in Minnesota, Tillman believes the bench play is the key to winning on the road. He explained, āGoing 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 whatās been working, and donāt waiver from that.ā
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 DāAngelo 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 ā 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 ānext man upā mentality. When the chips are down, who will be the next man to lead the team to victory on the road?
