The Memphis Grizzlies technically won their first “tournament” game since 2017, where they took the Spurs to six games in the first round. However, that was a real playoff game; this is the Play-in tournament, which is technically two different things.
With the inaugural play-in tournament now at hand, the Grizzlies will continue their quest to make the playoffs, with just one more win being the prerequisite for entry. That win must come against Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors, who are still red-hot, despite a loss Wednesday night.
If the Grizzlies play as they did against the Spurs, we could potentially see Memphis in the playoffs again, and Grind City would love that. Scratch that; Grind City deserves that. First, we have to talk about the win over San Antonio.
Just one more game and the Memphis Grizzlies are in.
The Spurs have a dominant history of making the playoffs. Before last season, they had made the postseason 20 consecutive times. Let’s not forget they have one of the greatest coaches of all time in Gregg Popovich, which is a weapon even without three Hall-of-Famers in Ginobili, Duncan, and Parker on the team.
None of that mattered Wednesday night, as the Grizzlies destroyed the Spurs in the first quarter. Obviously, the Spurs would make a comeback. However, due to the great play by a few players, none of that mattered either.
Memphis Grizzlies C Jonas Valanciunas showed out on national television
It was very easy to see that the Travis Kelce look-alike was the best player on the court last night, and that goes for both teams. Yes, you can just look at the box score and tell that. The 23 points and 23 rebounds catch your eye very easily, but he did more than what’s on the paper.
Valanciunas played tremendous pick and roll defense, which is what may have really won them the game. The Spurs live and die off shooting mid-range jump shots with players like DeRozen, Murray, Gay, Walker, and Johnson. Much of those jump shots become open by way of the screen and roll game used with Poeltl.
Since Jonas Valanciunas played such good drop coverage and screen and roll defense, much of their jump shots did not fall, leaving them at 26-75 on non-three point attempts. Some of that also has to do with Dillon Brooks and the stellar defense he played.
Memphis Grizzlies G/F Dillon Brooks had another strong defensive game
Dillon Brooks had an explosive 24 points against the Spurs, and it could not be ignored any longer how elite his defense is. Brooks was a huge reason the Grizzlies got off to the hot start they did in the first quarter. The fast-break dunk that made him take flight lit up the Grizzlies for the rest of the quarter.
Brooks showed off his unique ability to hit contested jumpers time and time again, even in the clutch. Let’s not forget the seven rebounds he had as well. On a night that seemed like Valanciunas was snagging everything, the 6’7″ guard was able to pull down his own share.
Defensively, Brooks was on another level. We talked earlier about Valanciunas pick and roll defense, and his ability to drop back into coverage easily, much of that had to do with how well Brooks was playing on the ball.
When you talk about pick-and-roll defense and defending the ball, Dillon Brooks does it with the best of them. His ability to get over screens is unmatched, along with the skill of contesting jump shots at a high clip.
DeMar DeRozen was 5-21 Wednesday night. Most of that was due to the elite defense Dillon Brooks was showing all night. Let’s also factor in the two steals and block Brooks had, and go ahead and give him all-defensive team honors now.
Memphis Grizzlies F Kyle Anderson stepped up as a leader
Slow-Mo did not do some of the scoring we have seen him do at times this season, but he was a huge help on both ends Wednesday night. You may look at his box score and think he did not play very well. You would be wrong if you did that. Yes, he was the only starter not to score double digits, but he just missed the cut with nine points.
Kyle Anderson did not have a great scoring night, and that was noticeable. He did hit two big three-pointers during crucial times, making him 2-2 from deep. However, let’s drool over the defensive night he had.
Anderson made highlight play after highlight play on defense. It felt like he was sending everything in the opposite direction with four blocks on the night, besides the ones he was pinning to the backboard. Slow-Mo did all that while only racking up two personal fouls. In other words, Kyle Anderson was very disciplined in the Wednesday night game.
Now, Memphis will need these players to replicate or play even better on Friday night for a shot at the playoffs. With Stephen Curry dropping 30 points nearly every night, it will be tough. However, Memphis is not called Grind City for no reason.