No. 4: Memphis Grizzlies found success by going super small in Game 5
Taylor Jenkins rolled the dice and it paid off like gangbusters in Game 5 vs the Timberwolves. The Grizzlies head coach rolled the dice with a super-small lineup in the game and it gave Minnesota fits.
A super small lineup of Tyus Jones, Ja Morant, Desmond Bane, Dillon Brooks, and Brandon Clarke was lethal down the stretch.
It’s a lineup that Jenkins has deployed for a total of nine minutes in this series, but one that looks like the Timberwolves cannot keep up with.
Expect the Grizzlies to lean on that combination to try and deliver a knock-out punch vs the Wolves in Game 6 on Friday, April 29.
No. 5: Dillon Brooks is going to Dillon Brooks for the Memphis Grizzlies
Dillon Brooks, a player who has never, ever questioned whether or not he should shoot a basketball, was awful in Game 5. He hasn’t been great in this series, but his shooting woes were at the forefront of Memphis’ myriad of problems.
The former Oregon Duck was 3-18 from the field, including 1-10 from 3PT. Brooks, as we all know, is a volume shooter. It’s not uncommon for him to have 15-20 field goal attempts and end up with 20 points in a game.
Brooks’ defense has not been the center of attention in the playoffs like they were last year, hopefully that will change if he’s able to get some rest after putting away the Wolves.
The Grizzlies need Brooks to get back to his lock-down defensive self. His offense has been streaky, but livable. He went for 20+ points in two different games in this series. When his shot is falling he’s great, but when it’s off, he’s very very bad.