The Memphis Grizzlies will look to face the New York Knicks at home in their second game for the month of May. In the first matchup between these two teams, the Knicks took home the win in a hard-fought overtime contest.
The Grizzlies are coming off a disappointing loss to the Orlando Magic, in which they were in control throughout most of the match. Though, the narrative took a turn once the Magic gained momentum, taking the game into their own hands down the stretch for a comeback 112-111 win.
A game that saw the Grizzlies dominate most of the contest, it just seemed unlikely they would collapse and show what seemed like a costly effort in letting the Magic back into that one. However, the team must shake the horrid loss off and prepare for a Knicks team that has won 11 of their last 12 games.
The Memphis Grizzlies will face a red-hot New York Knicks team
The Knicks were on a nine-game winning streak before their loss to the Phoenix Suns ended their bid for a potential ten-game run. Tom Thibodeau’s team will come into Monday night’s contest on the back of their recent 122-97 win against the Rockets and 113-94 victory over the Bulls.
Ja Morant, Dillon Brooks, and Kyle Anderson each scored 20+ points in their loss to the Magic. Valanciunas scored 11 points and grabbed 16 boards, earning his usual double-double on the night. However, this was not enough to stop a Magic team that snuck from behind to snatch the win on Saturday.
This month is integral, as the team already has one loss marked on the only game played for the month of May. With nine games left on the regular season, the Grizzlies sit eighth in seeding for the Western Conference standings at 32-31. Playing a Knicks team that just keeps racking up wins, hungry for a playoff spot within their own respective conference, coach Taylor Jenkins must employ ways in how this team can stay afloat for an intense playoff race.
Teams are looking to creep into the playoff window, and the Grizzlies need to be one of them. It’s now or never.