Tag: Memphis Grizzlies

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News The Fly-By

MEMernet: An Honest Dixie Queen Review and a Griz Shirt You’ve Never Seen

Posted to TikTok by Honey_Drip_

Memphis on the internet.

Dixie QueenEd

“I’m back with another review and this time Dixie Queen I’m on your ass, big fellow,” promises a TikTok from @honey_drip_. And she delivers.
Visiting Dixie Queen? HoneyDrip says bring cash because “these bitches, sometimes, the machine be down, and be sure to bring your bulletproof vest because, bitch, this is Memphis. Okay?” “Raggedy-ass sign.” Check. “Raggedy-ass intercom.” Check. “Raggedy-ass customer service.” Check. HoneyDrip said a Dixie Queen employee once repeated her order, which included a “murkshake” (milkshake) and a burger with “purkles” (pickles), spoken in beautiful Memphis-ese. She didn’t correct her because, “I don’t play with people who make my food.” Good tip. The signs may be busted and you probably won’t have it your way, says HoneyDrip, “but, bitch, you know where you at when you came here.” The video had more than 111,500 likes as of press time and had been shared nearly 7,500 times.

Submitted without comment

Posted to Twitter by @shirtsthtgohard

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News The Fly-By

MEMernet: Formula, the Grizz, and Barbecue

Memphis on the internet.

Formula shortage

Posted to Facebook by Shandale Sanders

A Facebook group, called Memphis Formula, was organized this weekend to help families find baby formula during the shortage. This is the MEMernet at its best.

Grizz

The Memphis Grizzlies’ season ended Sunday with a Game 6 loss to the Golden State Warriors in the semi-conference finals. NBA on ESPN summed it up nicely with this tweet: “What a season for the Grizzlies. The future is bright in Memphis.”

Barbecue

Posted to Instagram by @tom.rainey.

Last week, the World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest brought thousands of people from 212 teams, tons of charcoal, piles of pork (and more), plumes of smoke, a heaping helping of good times, and dozens of locals complaining about the fireworks on Nextdoor.

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From My Seat Sports

The Grizzlies’ Memory Bar

Ja Morant in flight. (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)

I arrived in Memphis, Tennessee, in 1991, precisely a decade before the Vancouver Grizzlies became the Memphis Grizzlies. I enjoyed those first 10 years in the Bluff City, and as a man whose life has been wrapped in sports from the get-go, I found plenty of fun in this town. But nothing like the 2021-22 Memphis Grizzlies. Not even close. Not in the Nineties when I was a young man, and not since, as the years have carried me into middle age. I suppose all good things — even great things — must come to an end, as we’re taught early. But I’m not sure the 2021-22 Memphis Grizzlies will ever end, not for the bar they’ve set for professional basketball in the Mid-South, and not for what they achieved, even falling two rounds shy of the franchise’s first NBA Finals.

In a league celebrating its diamond anniversary, the 2021-22 Grizzlies put a sparkle on the sport by becoming the youngest team in NBA history to win 55 games (average age: 24.4 years). In so doing, the Grizzlies tied the franchise record for victories (56) and won their first Southwest Division title. (Banners are hung for such. The Grizzlies must raise one at FedExForum.) This young, effervescent squad pulled off a trifecta of sorts, leading the NBA in rebounds (49.2 per game), blocked shots (6.5), and steals (9.8). And look at those statistics: Each of them is an effort stat. The fact that Memphis topped all 30 NBA clubs in effort . . . well, that shouldn’t surprise anyone who watched as many as five or 10 games over the last seven months.

Alas, the NBA is a league of star power. Teams win championships with the celebrated, the marketed, the first-team All-NBA selections. For all the blue-collar strength the 2021-22 Grizzlies exhibited, they also featured Ja Morant, a young athlete — he’ll turn 23 in August — unlike any other this city has seen. (This city has seen Reggie White and Bo Jackson.) The NBA’s 2020 Rookie of the Year, Morant somehow claimed the league’s Most Improved Player Award two years later. His scoring average did leap from 19.7 per game to 27.4 (a figure that would have ranked sixth in the league had Morant not missed 25 games with injuries). But numbers won’t be what Morant leaves basketball fans at the end of what we hope is a long career. He’ll leave the “Did you see” conversations, stacked upon one another as hyperventilating children might do at a circus gone wild.

“Did you see Ja’s two-handed block?!?”

“Did you see Ja’s dunk?!?” We’ll have to be much more specific with this one.

“Did you see Ja’s wrap-around pass?!?”

“Did you see Ja’s buzzer-beating scoop?!?”

The Grizzlies have the superstar they’ll need to win two more rounds in the playoffs. It’s now just a measure of (1) keeping Morant healthy and (2) accelerating the team’s learning curve for postseason basketball. The Golden State Warriors — a few of them, at least — knew enough to earn a call here or an uncontested shot there, and that was enough in a best-of-seven series.

The great thing about young teams (if coached right, and thank you, Taylor Jenkins): They get better. The Grizzlies’ roster is in the hands of the NBA’s Executive of the Year (thank you, Zach Kleiman), and will surely receive a tweak or two before the 2022-23 season tips off. But you can count on Desmond Bane (future All-Star) returning. You can count on Jaren Jackson Jr. (future All-Star) further developing into the league’s best shot-blocking-three-point-shooter. And you can count on the memory bar climbing even higher for Memphis, Tennessee’s lone big-league operation. If you’re new to town, count your blessings for choosing this city and the basketball it delivers. If you’ve been around a while like me, adjust that memory bar one more time. But leave a higher slot or two.

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Beyond the Arc Sports

Grizzlies End Season With a Loss and Hope for a Bright Future

Just a bunch of hoopers. Credit: Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images

And so it goes. The Grizzlies’ season has ended with a Game 6 loss to the Golden State Warriors in the semi-conference finals.

Normally this is where I would have written out a recap of the game, but I am not doing that today. If you’ve been following this team, you already know how Game 6 turned out. There will be plenty of time to second guess decisions and criticize playmaking down the stretch. *cough* Dillon Brooks *cough* 

Now feels like a good time to reflect on a historic season instead.  

It was a record-breaking season regardless of how you look at it. This team broke franchise records and league records alike. They had individual players leading the league in several categories. They tied their franchise record for most wins in a season with 56 wins.  

We saw developmental leaps for Desmond Bane, Jaren Jackson Jr., and league-anointed Most Improved Player Ja Morant. 

This squad didn’t get as far as they would have liked, but they got further than anyone predicted. The hunger to win a championship is strong with them. The championship window for this team is officially wide open and will be for the foreseeable future. 

There are no moral victories and close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades. But no one can deny that this young Memphis team had a hell of a run this season. Far outpacing expectations and having shown they can go toe-to-toe with any team in the league, there should be no apologies and no hanging of heads. Chins up and chests out.  

Just because the season has officially ended does not mean that the players or the front office intend to spend the summer resting on their laurels. Rookie forward Ziaire Williams showed lots of potential throughout the regular season and the postseason. Williams stated in his exit interview he was looking forward to putting in work in the offseason and playing in the Summer League. 

There are still decisions to be made regarding free agency, the specifics of which cannot be legally discussed at this time, but Grizzlies general manager and 2022 Executive of the Year Zach Kleiman has alluded to having no worries about finances hindering them. During end-of-season media availability, Kleiman stated “we are not going to have any issue paying anyone we want to pay.” 

It is my sincerest hope that includes Kyle Anderson and Tyus Jones, who will be unrestricted free agents. Memphis also holds a team option for Brandon Clarke, one they would be wise to exercise.  

In other free agency news — Ja Morant is eligible to sign a rookie contract extension when free agency starts in July, which he has emphatically affirmed that he would be signing. Morant is eligible for a five-year, $181 million max contract.  

In closing, my advice is just this:

Run it back and let’s do it again next year.

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Beyond the Arc Sports

Grizzlies Take Game 2 Against the Warriors, Even the Series 1–1

Credit: Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images

Tuesday night the Memphis Grizzlies continued their playoff series against the Golden State Warriors. A 47-point game from Ja Morant propelled them to a win, 106 to 101.

Let’s get into it.  

These playoffs are built different. Different energy, different intensity, and different officiating. This is fitting because the Warriors are a vastly different team than the Timberwolves. Golden State is inarguably better than Minnesota, but the latter was a much tougher matchup for this Grizzlies team.  

Game two got off to a chaotic start when Dillon Brooks was ejected from the game less than three minutes into the first quarter, after an attempt to stop Gary Payton II from going to the rim went very wrong. Brooks was assessed a flagrant foul 2 and Payton was led back to the locker rooms and then taken off to get X-rays on his elbow. After the game it was reported that Payton had suffered a fractured elbow, likely ending his season.  

Warriors’ head coach Steve Kerr called out play in the first half as dirty, and in his postgame interview insinuated that Brooks had broken a code of sorts. Injuries suck and this one is no different, but the irony in Kerr calling Brooks dirty when he coaches Draymond Green is not lost on me. Especially when Green’s flagrant foul on Brandon Clarke in Game 1 had just as much potential for injury.  

Make no mistake about it, Brooks’ play was reckless, but calling it dirty implies intentionality that was not present.  

Shortly after Brooks was ejected, Draymond Green took an inadvertent elbow to the face from Xavier Tillman Sr., which led to him going back to the locker room for treatment. Green displayed two middle fingers to the crowd in FedExForum on his way to the back. He returned to the game shortly after receiving a couple of stitches and did not seem much the worse for wear.  

Memphis led the game from the opening tip until sometime in the third quarter, when Golden State was able to temporarily edge past them. But there was no stopping Ja Morant in the fourth quarter, not even the Warriors’ so-called death lineup of Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green, Jordan Poole, and Andrew Wiggins. And when the final buzzer sounded, the Grizzlies had come away with a 106-101 victory.  

By the Numbers:  

Ja Morant led all scorers with 47 points, 8 rebounds, and 8 assists, proving once more that when the Grizzlies need help, they can count on 12.  

Please enjoy this video of Morant bringing the work to Jordan Poole on his way to the basket.

And this one of Morant taking flight and throwing down a dunk.

Rookie Ziaire Williams came up big off the bench, finishing the night with 14 points and 5 rebounds while shooting 4-8 from beyond the three-point line.  

Jaren Jackson Jr. struggled in game two scoring just 12 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 blocks and then fouling out in the fourth quarter.  

Brandon Clarke closed out with 10 points on 4 of 4 shooting. Clarke was a key contributor to the success the Grizzlies had in the first round, and he continues to prove his worth.  

Who Got Next?  

Blessedly, game three is not until Saturday night when the Grizzlies will bring the battle to the Bay. Tip-off is at 7:30 p.m. CDT on ABC.  

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Beyond the Arc Sports

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 Take Game 5

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

The Memphis Grizzlies returned to FedExForum Tuesday night to face off against the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 5 of their playoff series. The Grizzlies’ 111-109 victory puts them 3-2 in the series, with an opportunity to advance to the next round with a Game 6 win.

Let’s get into it.  

First and foremost, let’s just get this part out of the way — the Grizzlies started out strong in the first quarter and then stunk up the court until the fourth quarter. Obviously, they were able to grind out a win, but there were some troubling moments in which this Memphis team looked nothing like the team we have seen all season long.  

Ja Morant came up big in the fourth quarter, but Brandon Clarke was a true hero throughout the game, and throughout the series. Shoutout, Canada!  

However …

We need to talk about free-throw shooting, more specifically the lack of accurate free-throw shooting. YGTMYFT. Scoring with the clock stopped is invaluable, especially during games as closely officiated as this series has been. They literally cost nothing; it is right there in the name. Free throws. Free throws.

Missed free throws have been a thorn in the Grizzlies’ side most of the series, and missed free throws were a big factor in their Game 4 loss. Had the Grizzlies not managed to eke out a victory, they would have been a contributing factor in Game 5 as well. Thirteen missed free throws in a game y’all won by two? Can we please not?

By the Numbers:  

Ja Morant led all scorers with 30 points, 13 rebounds, and 9 assists. And gave us the best in-game dunk of the series. It seems only fitting that the best in-game dunk of the series came during the quarter in which Morant went Super Sayan and put up 18 points. 

Desmond Bane dropped 25 points, 4 rebounds, 2 steals, and 3 blocks. Bane has been an offensive force during this series and one of the most consistent players on the court.

Brandon Clarke put up 21 points and 15 rebounds off the bench and once again proved he is an underrated and invaluable member of this squad.

Usher showed up to hang out with Morant. Please enjoy this amazing picture.

Things the Grizzlies need to advance to the semifinals:  

Twelve gotta be 12 — Ja Morant has come up huge in clutch moments but that does not negate the fact that he has struggled noticeably throughout the series.  

And 13 has to stop fouling — Jaren Jackson Jr. fouled out in the fourth last night. It was the second game in the series where he has fouled out, and he has spent nearly all of the series in foul trouble. With Steven Adams being sidelined due to a poor matchup against Karl Anthony Towns, Jackson must step up and assume the mantle of the best big man on the court.  

Dillon Brooks, please stop jacking up so many threes. Your shot has not been falling, but your defense has been on point. Please just drive to the basket more.  

Who Got Next?  

The Grizzlies are headed back to Minnesota, where they will play Game 6 against the Timberwolves. Tip-off time has yet to be announced.  

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News The Fly-By

MEMernet: Cloggin’ and Jookin’, NBA Protests, and Porchfest

Memphis on the internet.

Jookin’ and Cloggin’

Posted to Facebook by Memphis Jookin

The Memphis Jookin Facebook group had some love for that blue-shirted, smooth-as-hell clogger guy last week. The viral video of the smiley dancer hit 15 million views and made its way across TikTok, Facebook, Twitter, and more.

Even if the dance style was not their thing, nearly all on the Jookin page paid respect to his skills. “I don’t care what nobody else said,” Patrick Gatewood commented, “bro cuttin up.”

NBA chicken Protests

Posted to Twitter by Direct Action Everywhere

The MEMernet watched again as the Grizzlies playoff game last week against Minnesota Timberwolves was interrupted by a protestor.

So far, one woman glued her hand to the floor, another chained herself to the goalposts at FedExForum, and another ran onto the court wearing a shirt that read “[Wolves owner] Glen Taylor roasts animals alive.” They are all angry that Taylor, who owns a chicken farm, recently killed 5.3 million birds after positive tests of bird flu.

Porchfest

Posted to Instagram by CooperYoungMemphis

Cooper-Young sang with music and visitors Saturday for Porchfest, which bring musicians to porches all over the neighborhood.

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Beyond the Arc Sports

Grizzlies Fight Back to Maul Timberwolves 104-95

Desmond Bane takes the ball to the basket in Minnesota. Credit: NBAE via Getty Images

It appears that “no running in the M” extends to Minnesota, and Memphis moves to 2-1 in the series after defeating the Timberwolves in Game 3, 104-95.

Let’s get into it.  

It was a hard-fought victory for this Grizzlies team coming back from 26 points down. But they climbed the chimney and proved that they want — and can handle — all the smoke.  

Minnesota opened the game firing on all cylinders and outscored Memphis 39-21 in the first quarter. The Grizzlies were able to cut into that lead in the second quarter while holding the Timberwolves to just 12 points in the period. At the halftime mark, the Grizzlies were down by 7 but finished the half with momentum. Minnesota ran the score back up to a 26 point lead during the third quarter, and then all hell broke loose.

The Grizzlies outscored the Timberwolves 50-16 in the last 15 minutes of the game. Not only did they overcome a franchise record deficit of 26 points in a playoff game, but they also managed to hold the number-one scoring team in the league to under 100 points.  

The Timberwolves led wire to wire until the Grizzlies managed to pull away midway through the fourth quarter.  

Brandon Clarke was instrumental in punching back against Minnesota in game three, making solid plays on both ends of the floor, not giving up on plays, and making all his free throws.  

SHOUTOUT CANADA!

The Grizzlies performance did not go unnoticed around the league. Charles Barkley on Inside the NBA, said this when speaking about Game 3, “The Timberwolves are dumb. Why didn’t Chris Finch call for time when Memphis got on a 21-0 run?” 

Chuck blames this loss on the Timberwolves’ youth and inexperience. But the Grizzlies are a similarly youthful team and yet here we are. So, is it oochie wally or one mic? 

Let’s see what NBA Twitter had to say about Game 3:

Current players sounded off as well:

By the Numbers:

Desmond Bane led all scorers with 26 points, 6 rebounds, two blocks, and two assists while shooting 7 of 15 from beyond the three-point line. Yet another reason why Desmond Michael Bane should have won the 2022 Most Improved Player award.

Despite his struggles, Ja Morant still managed to put up a triple-double with 16 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists, and help lead his team to victory. It was the first triple-double in franchise playoff history, which is fitting in a game where the Grizzlies overcame their largest playoff deficit in franchise history.

Brandon Clarke brought 20 points and 8 rebounds, including shooting 8 of 8 from the free-throw line. Clarke has struggled at the line all season long, averaging 65 percent from the charity stripe.

Tyus Jones put up 11 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists. Jones led the charge on the floor late in the fourth quarter, knocking down two clutch three-pointers that gave Memphis the lead.

Side note: The Grizzlies front office better run Tyus Jones his money this summer. He has more than proven his value — without Jones Memphis would not have won this game.  

Steven Adams was a DNP-CD for game three, which was kind of surprising. There is a happy medium that Taylor Jenkins will need to find for Adams going forward in this series. Something between zero minutes and starting center minutes. But as long as they keep winning, Adams doesn’t care and I don’t either.

Jaren Jackson Jr. finished the night with 6 points, 7 rebounds, 2 blocks, and 2 steals in 21 minutes of playing time.

Please enjoy this clip of Ja Morant talking postgame to Brandon Clarke as he takes the podium.

Who Got Next?  

Game Four in the series will be played in Minnesota on Saturday, April 23rd, with tip-off at 9 p.m. CDT.  

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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?