The Memphis Grizzlies had the difficult task of following up an epic Game 3 comeback by facing a Minnesota Timberwolves team that was hellbent on evening this playoff series.
And the Timberwolves did just that. The Wolves outlasted the Grizzlies 119-118 to even the first-round playoff series at 2-2. Game 5 is set for April 26 in Memphis.
The Memphis Grizzlies got a huge game from guard Desmond Bane in Game 4 vs the Minnesota Timberwolves.
He finished with a game-high 34 points on 11-18 FG (8-12 3PT). He broke the franchise record for most threes made in a playoff game in franchise history— breaking his own record he set in Game 3 (7 made threes).
Desmond Bane is 6-7 from three in the first half 🎯 pic.twitter.com/BH8CyiLXN7
— ESPN (@espn) April 24, 2022
Memphis Grizzlies couldn’t overcome poor play or poor officiating in Game 4
In the end, Bane’s epic performance was not enough to power the Grizzlies to a win. The Grizzlies endured setback after setback throughout Game 4.
The referees once again called a lopsided game, issuing 33 personal fouls against the Grizzlies and only 24 against the Wolves.
Jaren Jackson Jr. fouled out of the game with 4:29 remaining. The rest of the starters in this game, Xavier Tillman, Dillon Brooks, and Desmond Bane all had 5 fouls. Ja Morant ended the game with 4 fouls.
None of the starters could get any traction in this game because they had to spend long stretches on the bench with foul trouble.
Ja Morant had a low-scoring game, netting just 11 points. However, he found other ways to be impactful, finishing with 15 assists and 8 rebounds.
Jackson has yet to play more than 27 minutes in a game during this series. It’s unacceptable. Thankfully, Brandon Clarke has been waiting in the wings and ready to step up.
However, he can only do so much (6’8″ and 215 lbs) against the larger and stronger Karl-Anthony Towns (6’11” and 248 lbs).
This series has been incredibly frustrating for Grizzlies fans to watch due to the inconsistent officiating and the lack of energy in which the team has displayed throughout this series.