The Memphis Grizzlies, tasked with competing in their first road game of the 2022 NBA Playoffs, completed an epic comeback for the ages against the Timberwolves 104-95.
The Grizzlies come out of the gate in Game 3 flat and lethargic and Minnesota made them pay dearly. Minnesota got off to a 39-21 lead after the first quarter and forced Memphis to claw their way back into the game.
Memphis was down by as many as 26 points in the game. They had an epic counter-punch in the second quarter, outscoring Minnesota 23-12.
Quarter 3 was very similar to the first quarter. Minnesota came out with a ton of energy and got stops. They outpaced Memphis 32-23 in the quarter. But, then the fourth quarter happened.
Memphis went on an absolute tear in the fourth. They outscored Minnesota 37-12 in the fourth quarter to complete an epic comeback. The Grizzlies got hustle play after hustle play from Brandon Clarke, who finished the game with 20 points and 8 rebounds, and a block in 29 minutes off the bench.
The Grizzlies ended the final 13 minutes of the game on an improbable 42-12 run to seal the game to go up 2-1 in the series. It’s the largest come-from-behind win in franchise history.
Here are five takeaways from this pivotal matchup.
No 5. Has anyone seen Memphis Grizzlies forward Dillon Brooks?
Brooks hit a dagger three with 1:17 left in the game to seal the deal for Memphis, making it a 10-point game. Other than that, Brooks had a terrible game on offense.
The heart and soul of the Memphis Grizzlies, Dillon Brooks, has virtually been MIA since recording 24 points in Game 1 vs Minnesota.
Normally a staunch defender, Brooks has been not his usual self in this series. The Timberwolves have far outmatched his energy and drive.
On offense, Brooks has made very questionable shot selections. He took three-point attempts way too early in the shot clock and has been unable to find his stroke.
Brooks finished Game 3 shooting 4 of 14 from the field (1-6 3PT). But that one three-pointer will make fans forget about most of his offensive woes.
No 4. The Memphis Grizzlies bench was the x-factor in Game 3
The Grizzlies bench continued to do irreparable harm to Minnesota, leveraging their excellent depth to fill in the gaps left by the starters.
Memphis enjoyed a 41-point outburst from the bench in Game 3, while Minnesota recorded just 22 points from their bench.
Brandon Clarke and Tyus Jones combined for 33 points, providing a lethal combination that the Timberwolves couldn’t match. Minnesota even went five players deep into their bench and couldn’t find a way to slow the Grizzlies bench.
No 3. Minnesota does not like Ja Morant at all
Any time Ja Morant touched the basketball, the Timberwolves fans booed him. Anytime he fell to the ground after attacking the basket, the fans booed him.
Karl-Anthony Towns and Patrick Beverley have all been uber-aggressive on Morant. Towns, on multiple occasions in Game 2, stuck his knee out to try and make contact with Morant.
In Game 3, Jaden McDaniels stuck his knee out while trying to draw a charge on Morant after a turnover. It’s dangerous behavior that the NBA needs to address.
Despite being a heavy focus of Minnesota’s game plan, Morant finished with 16 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists. It’s the first triple-double in franchise history. He nearly got one in Game 2, so to see him get that in Game 3 was outstanding.
No 2. Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr. just can’t stop fouling
The Grizzlies big man is averaging 24 minutes in this series, which is unfortunate. He’s one of the most talented players in the series, but he can’t stay out of foul trouble.
He had 6 points, 7 rebounds, 2 blocks and 5 fouls in Game 3. He made poor decisions on defense on numerous occasions.
Many of his fouls came from reaching in at the ball, not from trying to block shots. Jackson has to figure out the balance between allowing the offense to get an easy basket vs committing a foul.
Jaren’s fouls are much more valuable than giving up an easy two-point basket to the Wolves.
Jaren has committed 14 fouls in this series and can’t seem to stay on the floor for more than four or five minutes at a time.
No 1. Desmond Bane is the sole reason the Grizzlies ever had a chance
Thanks to a three-point barrage in the second quarter, Desmond Bane gave the Grizzlies the initial bump in confidence to win this game.
He finished with 5 made threes in the first half and added two more in the second half.
In 40 minutes in Game 3, Bane logged 26 points (7-15 from 3PT), 6 rebounds and 2 assists.
Bane couldn’t have found his stroke at a better time. He’s a big reason why the Grizzlies got some of their swagger back in the middle of the game.