Memphis, TN — WHAT. A. GAME. Ja Morant scored 30 points, grabbed 13 rebounds, dished out nine assists, and made the game-winning layup with one second remaining as the Memphis Grizzlies were able to defeat the Minnesota Timberwolves 111-109. With the crucial win in Game 5, the Grizzlies now hold a 3-2 series lead and now need just one more win to advance to the next round.
Chaotic Momentum
Like most of the other four games in this series, this game was chaotic.
The Grizzlies got out to a great start as they opened on a 13-2 run, creating their biggest lead of the night.
The Wolves would not be startled by their slow start, they would quickly find their feet and take control of the game. They would have control from midway through the first quarter all the way through the third quarter. It seemed as if the Grizzlies would grab momentum after Morant delivered the highlight of the playoffs with a poster dunk, but no.
The Timberwolves would lead by 11 at the end of the third quarter.
This game seemed to be a wrap in the fourth, especially when Jaren Jackson Jr. fouled out with 6:57 remaining. JJJ played just 17 minutes, scoring 12 points and grabbing five rebounds. His sixth foul sent Karl Anthony-Towns to the line for three shots, to extend the Wolves lead to 11, 99-88.
The Grizzlies refused to roll over and fall behind 3-2 in the series.
It became Morant time very quickly as the Grizzlies had their backs against the wall in the fourth. In Gotham, when they are in trouble they light the Bat-Signal, in Memphis when the Grizzlies are in trouble, they call 12. 12 answered in the fourth quarter on Tuesday.
After struggling in Game 4, Ja Morant would not be denied in Game 5.
Morant made big bucket after big bucket in this one, but none as big as his game-winning layup with just one second remaining in the game. He would score 18 points in the fourth quarter, the most by any Grizzlies player ever in the fourth quarter of a playoff game. Morant also scored the Grizzlies final 13 points.
The Numbers
Morant was great in this one but had quite a bit of help from his teammates. Desmond Bane continues his great play as he scored 25 points.
Brandon Clarke stepped up in a huge way off the bench. Clarke scored 21 points and grabbed 15 rebounds.
The Grizzlies struggled on offense all night, they shot just 41.5% from the field in Game 5 and made just seven of their 28 attempts from deep. They made the shots that mattered, though. Morant made just one shot from deep in Game 5, but it gave the Grizzlies a 1-point lead with 1:03 remaining.
They made up for their poor shooting numbers by out-rebounding the Wolves 53-42 and winning the turnover battle 16-22.
Karl Anthony-Towns led the way for the Wolves with 28 points and 12 rebounds. Anthony Edwards scored 22 points and D’Angelo Russell added 12 points and eight assists. Edwards nearly sent this game to overtime when he drained a clutch three with just four seconds left to tie the game.
He would leave too much time for Morant and the Grizzlies, though.
What’s Next?
The Grizzlies now have their backs against the wall as this series shifts back to Minnesota for Game 6 on Friday. If they win a Game 7 will be played on Sunday in Memphis, if the Grizzlies win they advance to the next round.
