Grizzlies regain home-court advantage with historic 26-point comeback.
Minnesota, Minneapolis. The Grizzlies showed off their grit and grind battle cry to erase a 26-point deficit and regain the home-court advantage from the young Wolves squad. Here are three takeaways from the intense Game 3 battle between two young, hungry teams in the West.
The adaptability of Grizzlies’ young core: In the third quarter, the Grizzlies outscored the wolves 37-12, settling up one of the greatest comebacks in franchise history. It was a collective effort, mainly from the supporting cast of Brandon Clarke, Desmond Bane, and a dagger three from Dillon Brooks.
Ja Morant’s leadership and intensity: The Grizzlies’ star capped off the game with his historic triple-double, the first in the franchise’s playoff history, with sixteen points, ten rebounds, and ten assists. And Bane (26 points) benefitted from Morant’s elite vision. Morant was everywhere, and it’s good that he’s always a willing passer. Morant was the main guy of Beverley’s posting defense.
Grizzlies team defense: The Wolves had more steals and blocks in this game, but the Grizzlies’ defense was more impressive and made the difference late in the game. Great defensive rotations and early closeouts were the keys to their fourth-quarter comeback.
The momentum is theirs, with the Grizzlies leading 2-1 in this series and on a two-game win streak. However, Game 4 is still in Minnesota on Saturday in what could be the determining game in this contested series.
