The Memphis Grizzlies won a game they thought they would lose against the Minnesota Timberwolves. In the 104:95 victory in Minneapolis, the guests turned a 21-point deficit, the hosts collapsed.
Minnesota Timberwolves (7) – Memphis Grizzlies (2) 95:104 (BOXSCORE), Serie: 1-2
What an epic collapse for the Timberwolves and what a furious comeback for the Grizzlies. Shortly before the end of the third quarter, the guests were still 21 points behind, only to score 21 points in a row and finally win the final section with 37:12 (!!!).
Yes Morant had problems for a long time, but played through the second half and had the best plus-minus of all players with +20. The point guard put on a triple-double with 16 points (5/18 FG), 10 rebounds and 10 assists, but the best man in the final stretch was backup big Brandon Clarke (20, 6/9, 8 rebounds), the Minnesota under the boards really annoyed. Desmond Bane was the guests’ top scorer with 26 points (8/19 FG) and seven converted threes.
The Wolves only hit 3/19 from the field and 1/11 from the three-point line in the final section. Karl-Anthony Towns (8, 3/4, 5 rebounds, 5 blocks, 5 fouls) was not involved in the offense at all, instead the guards shot Patrick Beverley (14, 5/13), D’Angelo Russell (22, 9 /21, 8 assists) and Anthony Edwards (19, 6/13, 7 rebounds) completely eliminated the Wolves in the end.
The hosts started furiously. Within the first 15 minutes, the guests conceded a 12:0 and a 22:3 run and were already 26 points behind at the beginning of the second quarter. Memphis seemed shocked by the grandiose atmosphere in the Target Center and couldn’t find any rhythm.
Minnesota, on the other hand, managed almost everything. The three-pointer fell, Beverley Morant repeatedly attacked off-the-dribble and attached two quick fouls to the young guard. This went so far that Beverley presented the ball to himself over the board for a T-Mac style layup.
Brandon Clarke initiates Grizzlies comeback
On the other side, Morant’s zone was also blocked – Towns already had 4 blocks at the break – instead, the hosts forced Memphis to take threes from unsure shooters. The renewed foul problems from Jaren Jackson Jr. (6, 2/6 FG) did the rest. And yet the Grizzlies were back down to -7 at halftime. Bane hit three triples in a row on a 15-0 run at the end of the first 24 minutes, with Dillon Brooks also contributing a few plays. The Wolves remained without a single point in the last 5:45 minutes.
The Grizzlies couldn’t keep up the momentum, however, and instead the Wolves put great pressure on Morant, who made mistakes and invited Minnesota to easy points. The Grizzlies had just 4 points in the first seven minutes after the break, while the hosts had 17 thanks to Russell and Edwards.
After that, it was the Grizzlies’ turn again, who didn’t let Morant rest after the break. The point guard finally found gaps while Wolves fired from the line of three and Towns went on the bench with 5 fouls. A 21-0 run by the visitors leveled the game eight minutes before the end. The Wolves’ offense continued to be cruel, but the Grizzlies cooled off again.
Instead, it was hustle plays that gave Memphis the advantage. Brandon Clarke was particularly noteworthy here, who broke the Wolves’ neck with offensive rebounds in the final phase. Such a rebound finally initiated the Dagger, when Brooks made it 102:92 for the guests from downtown with 1:17 minutes to go and left shocked Wolves fans behind.
Grizzlies vs. Wolves: The series at a glance
| 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 | – |
| 5 | 27. April | 1:30 | Memphis Grizzlies | Minnesota Timberwolves | – |
| 6* | 30. April | TBD | Minnesota Timberwolves | Memphis Grizzlies | – |
| 7* | 1st May | TBD | Memphis Grizzlies | Minnesota Timberwolves | – |
*if necessary