Memphis Grizzlies Overcome Crazy Deficits To Lead Series 2-1.
The Memphis Grizzlies traveled to Minneapolis, to take on the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 3 of the opening round series Thursday night. Memphis came in riding a huge wave of momentum after Tuesday’s Game 2 matchup. In a game that wasn’t ever really in doubt after the first quarter, Memphis cruised to an easy win. So how does Memphis come into the Target Center and steal a game? First and foremost, the team-first basketball approach must continue. The Grizzlies have to keep looking for the open man, for the easy shot. Secondly, Memphis has to keep making Karl-Anthony Town’s life difficult. A healthy dose of Jaren Jackson Jr, Brandon Clarke, and Xavier Tillman‘s stiff defense should help make this happen. Finally, Memphis has to try and contain Anthony Edwards, if he is making shots and playing well Minnesota has a good shot at winning any game they play
Keys to a Grizzlies game 3 win 1. The team ball approach has to continue. 2. Tillman/JJJ/Clarke have to continue to make KAT’s offense difficult 3. Anthony Edward has to be contained
— Colton Farmer (@coltonfarmer811) April 21, 2022
Unlucky and Self-Inflicted Wounds Can Hurt You
Memphis came out playing sloppy and making uncharacteristic mistakes. It didn’t help that none of their shots were wanting to fall. On the flip side, Timberwolves couldn’t miss, and it seemed the ball always bounced their way. The Timberwolves opened up the game on a 12-to-nothing run. And it seemed like this would be a long night for the Grizzlies. To be honest, Memphis was lucky it was only an 18-point game after the first quarter.
The second quarter was a lot of the same way. An Anthony Edwards 3 made it a 26-point game, and the writing was on the wall that it just wasn’t the Grizzlies night. It wasn’t even Edwards and Anthony Towns that were killing Memphis, it was guys like D’Angelo Russell and Pat Beverly. Memphis was stopping the two main guys. Memphis just had no answers, that was until almost halftime.
A Tale of Two Halfves
The half was nearing a close, and you could just feel that if Memphis didn’t make a run before the half this game was over. That being said, the Grizzlies made a 15-0 run, to bring the game within 8 going into the half. This run didn’t resume after the half. The lead would stretch to 20 or more for the majority of the third quarter. It just felt as if anytime Memphis tried to cut into the lead, Minnesota would hit a dagger three. Taylor Jenkins could have pulled his starters, especially Ja Morant who has been battling a thigh injury since game two. To be truthful, no one would have blamed Jenkins. It felt like this game was out of reach. But was it?
“Just inch back in the game a little at a time”, were the words said by coach Jenkins during the break between the third and fourth quarter. I’d be lying if I said that I thought this would be a Grizzlies win, but I continued to watch to see how it ended. I was hoping just for something good to take into game 4. But, Memphis just kept scoring and kept getting stops. That 16-point 4th quarter deficit turned into a 10-point lead, then 5 point lead. Finally, a Tyus Jones 3 gave Memphis their first lead of the game. Even when the Grizzlies took the lead, it felt as if their great run would end. It had to, Right?
You Can’t Beat Experience
@jaredfarmer1987 are we really about to win this game LFG
— Colton Farmer (@coltonfarmer811) April 22, 2022
“Hammer, Nail, Coffin.” That was all I could say after a Dillion Brooks 3 all but put the game away with 1:17 to go in the game. One thing you can’t say about Memphis is that they give up, there is no quit in them. Even though I was worried, Morant’s face never showed any doubt that they were winning this game. That mindset comes from the past experiences that this team has faced. A large part of this team was on the bubble team in 2020. A tough first-round series with the Utah Jazz last year. They never feel like they are truly out of it. Onto Game 3 on Saturday, where Memphis looks to take a commanding 3-1 lead before heading home to FedEx Forum.
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