What a thriller! Thanks to Ja Morant, the Memphis Grizzlies secured a 111-109 win over the Timberwolves to give them a 3-2 series lead. First the youngster knocks out a monster dunk, then he gilds the Grizzlies comeback with the game winner.
Memphis Grizzlies (2) – Minnesota Timberwolves (7) 111:109 (BOXSCORE), Serie: 3-2
With 3.7 seconds left on the clock, Morant got the ball, attacked the ring and one spectacular layup to victory out. Memphis was down by as much as 13 points in the fourth quarter, but Morant was still the hero.
The 22-year-old scored 18 of his 30 points (9/22 FG) in the final section, collecting 13 rebounds, 9 assists, 3 steals and one Monster-Dunk, who should already have a good chance of the best slam of the postseason. Desmond Bane helped out with 25 points at 9/20, Brandon Clarke dominated the boards and secured a double-double (21 and 15 rebounds, 9 offensive rebounds). Memphis had 23 Second Chance Points.
The shooting quotas of the two Grizzlies stars already give you an idea, it was a strange game. Both teams made an enormous number of mistakes (MIN: 23 turnovers, MEM: 16), left a lot of open throws and free throws, but also delivered numerous highlight plays. Thus, the Grizzlies won despite hitting only 41.5 percent from the field and 7/28 three-pointers.
Karl-Anthony Towns held on for Minnesota with 28 points (5/7 threes) and 12 rebounds, but he also had 7 turnovers and celebrated much too early with a cheering gesture towards the Grizzlies fans. Anthony Edwards had 22 points with 8/20 FG, D’Angelo Russell remained relatively pale with 12 points (4/10 FG), 8 assists and 4 turnovers. The series now continues on Saturday night in Minnesota.
Grizzlies vs. Wolves: Error festival in the first half
From Wolves’ point of view, the start might hardly have been more catastrophic. Bad passes led to ball losses, KAT conceded two quick fouls and Memphis ran away 13:2. After a break, however, Minnesota got into the game much better (9:0 run) and then the two teams delivered a balanced and entertaining first quarter. Spectacular plays like this highlight block There were both sides, Minnesota had a slight advantage thanks to 7 threes on the scoreboard (31:28).
The Wolves made the game fast and on the one hand made good transitions, but on the other hand they continued to make a lot of mistakes (14 turnovers in the first half). The threesome didn’t want to fall either (1/9). But Memphis mightn’t punish that due to their own weaknesses in Downtown (3/12 at halftime) and especially from the free-throw line (10/18). It was also strange when Bane received a technical foul because he pushed Wolves coach Chris Finch aside. It went into the dressing room for Minnesota at 55:53.
The quality of the game left a lot to be desired in the third quarter as well, considering such sequences some felt reminded of a Summer League game. Downtown Towns and Jarred Vanderbilt swept Minnesota by double digits as Memphis continued to run out of target water. Open throws also hit the ring in rows (9/25 FG in the third quarter). But then Morant woke up and gave the Grizzlies new life with an absolute monster dunk. 85:74 for the Wolves.
Wild Finish: Morant shocks the Wolves with Gamewinner
At the start of the fourth quarter, Morant failed with his next poster attempt, but Bane netted a three-pointer for Memphis for what felt like an eternity. Downtown’s Towns, however, silenced the Grizzlies fans with a three-pointer.
His jubilant gesture with his finger on his mouth came much too early. The closing stages were absolutely wild: Morant shortened with an acrobatic layup, then Clarke annoyed the Wolves several times with his excellent work under the boards and tip-ins. After one of his 9 offensive rebounds, he served Morant on the three-point line a minute before the end, which actually shot Memphis back into the lead.
In isolation, Russell airballed and Morant raised to +3 from the line. And then came Edwards! The 20-year-old received the ball in the right corner 4 seconds before the end and sank the ice-cold three-pointer to equalize. overtime? Are you kidding me? Are you serious when you say that! Morant moved into the zone far too easily on the final attack as Edwards unsuccessfully went for the steal. The Grizzlies youngster avoided the block on the layup and put the ball in the net to win. 3-2 for Memphis!
NBA Playoffs – Grizzlies vs. Timberwolves: The Series at a Glance (3-2)
| Spiel | Datum | time | Heim | away | result |
| 1 | 16. April | 9:30 p.m | Memphis Grizzlies | Minnesota Timberwolves | 117:130 |
| 2 | 20. April | 2.30 a.m | Memphis Grizzlies | Minnesota Timberwolves | 124:96 |
| 3 | 22. April | 1:30 | Minnesota Timberwolves | Memphis Grizzlies | 95:104 |
| 4 | 24. April | 4 o’clock | Minnesota Timberwolves | Memphis Grizzlies | 119:118 |
| 5 | 27. April | 1:30 | Memphis Grizzlies | Minnesota Timberwolves | 111:109 |
| 6 | 30. April | TBD | Minnesota Timberwolves | Memphis Grizzlies | – |
| 7* | 1st May | TBD | Memphis Grizzlies | Minnesota Timberwolves | – |
*if necessary
