Game 2 of the series
Second in the West, seven-stats league first, the Memphis Grizzlies did not expect to lose to the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first game of the playoffs. Although the Timberwolves are great this season, they are only the seventh team in the West, ten wins away from the Grizzlies. However, this is the playoffs, anything can happen, Towns' natural advantage against Adams, Edwards' energy explosion on both ends of the offensive and defensive ends, all caught the Grizzlies a little off guard.
Morant is talented enough, and the Grizzlies are also one of the best team basketball models in the league, but these are still a bit inadequate in the face of absolute talent. Game two of the series, crucial for the Grizzlies, can't afford to lose. Once it loses again, it's 2-0, and the next two games, both at the Timberwolves' home.
The Grizzlies made an 11-man appearance
The Grizzlies still let Adams play as the starting center, but after only 2 minutes and 50 seconds, they were replaced and did not play again. Beverly received a technical foul at the beginning, slapping Morant over, a non-basketball move. Towns became the team's top scorer, with 9 points and 2 rebounds, but also received 2 fouls, Russell 6 points, 1 rebound and 2 assists, Edwards suffered a tight defense, only hit a three-pointer. The Timberwolves blasted down 32 points in the first quarter, but remained behind.
Morant had nine points, three rebounds and four assists, and Bane had eight points, and in such a high-intensity game, the Grizzlies did not make a single mistake and scored 33 points in a single quarter. The two teams combined 20 fouls and 33 free throws in the first quarter, and the intensity of the defense was evident. After returning from the second quarter, the Grizzlies' second-team lineup began to exert power, and a wave of 11-2 directly stopped the Timberwolves, and the difference between the two teams reached 10 points. After returning from the timeout, Edwards scored four straight points to stabilize the situation, but Jones immediately responded with a three-pointer.
The leak in the house was raining overnight, and Towns also received a third offender, and could only rest. Without Towns on the floor, Jaren Jackson Jr. continued to wreak havoc on the basket, and the Grizzlies briefly took a 14-point lead. Reid hit a crucial three-pointer, and at the end of the half, the Grizzlies led the Timberwolves by 11 points, 60-49.
Morant was too relaxed
Both teams have excellent roster depth, the Timberwolves 10-man rotation is enough, but the Grizzlies have 11 players on the field, except for Adams, the rest of the players have scored, which is a perfect example of team basketball. Bain had 12 points and 2 rebounds, Brooks 8 points, 2 assists and 1 steal, Jalen Jr. had 6 points and 5 rebounds, Tillman had 7 points and 3 rebounds, his teammates were so good, Morant was too relaxed, 9 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists on 3-of-7 shooting, a good tandem with the team. As for Sledgehammer Anderson, although he only had 2 points, 3 rebounds and 1 assist, he was the first in the team.
Towns was plagued by fouls, playing only 13 minutes, 9 points and 2 rebounds on 2-of-3 shooting, Edwards also had 9 points, 4 rebounds and 1 steal, but made 10 shots, and Russell had 6 points, 1 rebound and 3 assists. The Timberwolves' trident performance was not ideal, but fortunately, Reed on the bench contributed 10 points, 4 rebounds and 2 blocks, and Prince also had 5 points, 1 rebound and 1 assist. The 11-point difference is not very large, there is still halftime in the game, the Timberwolves still have a chance to create the miracle of Black Seven, let's look forward to it in the first period!