It’s done, for the first time in 7 years, the Grizzlies reach the second round of the playoffs! Winners 114-106 of Wolves in Game 6 tonight, they win their series 4-2 and will face Golden State starting Monday in Memphis. Led 52-49 at the break then by 10 points (84-74) at the start of the 4th quarter, Memphis (15/33 at 3-points) dominated the last period 40-22. Desmond Bane (9/15, 7 rebounds) and Dillon Brooks (9/19) each scored 23 points, And Morant compiled 17 points at 4/14, 8 rebounds and 11 assists and Brandon Clarke 17 points at 5/9, 11 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 blocks off the bench.
This is the third game in the series won by Memphis following being at least 10 points behind in the last 12 minutes. Anthony Edwards signed 16 of his 30 points (10/24, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 blocks, 2 steals) in the 1st quarter for Minnesota, Jaden McDaniels 24 points off the bench and Karl-Anthony Towns 18 points at 6/19 and 10 rebounds. Bane and Brooks each scored a 3-pointer to tie in the middle of the 4th. Brooks came out on 6 fouls following bringing the score to 97 everywhere, then Bane put in once more from afar at 3’03, this time to give Memphis a 2-point lead (101-99) (56 rebounds at 37) for the first time since the score was 39-38. The Grizzlies following two 3-pointers missed by Tyus Jones collected 2 offensive rebounds and Morant found the basket for the +4 on a layup.
McDaniels brought Wolves to one point 1’34 from a 3-point shot, but former Minnesota Jones responded with another long-range shot (on an assist from a Morant who had hogged a bit the ball on possession until then) to send the game back to 2 possessions at 1’09. Morent and Years Jackson Jr. (18 points at 6/15, 14 rebounds, 2 blocks) then killed the game on free throws.
