Grizzlies close in on No. 2 seed with dominant win
For a while, the most entertainment in Monday night's game came when Memphis Grizzlies fans at Fedexforum booed in unison each time Andre Iguodola of the Golden State Warriors touched the ball.
Both teams struggled to shoot so badly that one fan yelled, "Who put lids on the basket?" after an ugly first quarter. The Warriors continued to struggle, but the Grizzlies snapped into form during the second quarter.
The Grizzlies officially were back to their highlight-making selves when De'anthony Melton took off from outside of the restricted area, rose up over the 6foot-9 Kevon Looney and used every inch of his 6-8 wingspan to throw down a dunk over the Warriors forward. Most Grizzlies' bench players jumped out of their seats, and the energy transferred to the court in a 123-95 win.
The win means the Grizzlies (53-23) have a five-game lead over the Warriors (48-28) with six to play and have clinched a top-four seed in the Western Conference and home court in the first round. A win or Warriors loss will clinch the No. 2 seed. Ja Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr. and Killian Tillie did not play for Memphis. Brandon Clarke, who had missed the last two games, returned. Kyle Anderson and Tyus Jones started in place of Jackson and Morant. The Grizzlies shot 46.7% while holding the Warriors to 40.7% shooting. Desmond Bane led the Grizzlies with 22 points and five made 3-pointers.
The two teams combined to score 36 in the first quarter. The Grizzlies scored 43 by themselves in the second quarter.
"It was really just finding our footing," Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins said
Here are some observations from the game:
De'anthony Melton's world
It wasn't just his poster dunk. Melton continued his hot shooting streak, making five 3-pointers. He has become a microwave off the bench with his red-hot shooting and pesky defense. Melton has made four or more 3-pointers in five consecutive games. As fun as the 3-pointers were, the poster dunk was the highlight of the night. Melton scored 21 points on 8for-13 shooting.
"He doing it all," guard Desmond Bane said. "They were making jokes in the locker room like, shooting threes, dunking on people, getting steals, what's next?"
Dillon Brooks puts it together
Dillon Brooks made his presence felt when his team need it most. The Grizzlies were shooting 7-for-28 at the 9:45 mark of the second quarter. Brooks came off screens on back-to-back plays and knocked down midrange jumpers to the left of the free-throw line. He got in a rhythm, and the Grizzlies followed. Brooks finished with 21 points.
It wasn't just his offense. Brooks was physical with Warriors guard Jordan
Poole. He stayed attached to Poole's body and eliminated any personal space. Poole caught fire in the third quarter and led the Warriors with 25 points, but it looks like Brooks' intensity and energy are rounding into form.
"I feel like I can find my teammates a little bit better, maybe watch a little more film," Brooks.
Grizzlies keep foot on the gas pedal
The Warriors were without Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green, James Wiseman and Otto Porter Jr.. Jenkins mentioned before the game how he was aware that this same lineup beat the then top-seeded Miami Heat five days ago.
The Grizzlies led 20-16 after the first quarter, but more than doubled their scoring output to take a 63-37 halftime lead. Poole's hot third quarter got the game down to 18 before Jenkins called a timeout and the Grizzlies stretched the lead to as many as 37 points.