Memphis took control of the game in the first quarter and never saw the Warriors again, inflicting on them the worst defeat in their history in the playoffs. Even if Golden State will find the Chase Center, this Grizzlies team will not let go. Game 6 promises to be hot!
For the fifth time in as many games, Memphis got off to the best start with a 5-of-6 3-pointer from Jaren Jackson Jr and Desmond Bane (21-11). It takes a good passage from the Splash Brothers to erase this deficit but a dubious shot selection and two lost balls allow the Grizzlies to finish the quarter on a 9-0 behind the address of DeAnthony Melton (38-28).
Faced with Warriors with disappointing intensity and concentration, the Grizzlies drive the point home. For the first time in the series, they dominate the rebound. Brandon Clarke takes 4 of his team’s 9 offensive rebounds and his activity launches a new 9-0 which puts Golden State on the ropes (53-36). Mike Brown goes into the zone and as the Warriors begin to regain their colours, an avalanche of loose balls (10) leads to a 20-4 from Memphis in the last five minutes of halftime to give the Warriors a 27-point lead. Grizzlies (77-50)!
After a 26-6 from Memphis to start the third quarter (103-56), Mike Brown logically takes out Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, Klay Thompson, and Andrew Wiggins. Jaren Jackson Jr chained the shots to him from ten meters in a boiling FedEx Forum. See you in the night from Friday to Saturday for Game 6!
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– Memphis finally imposes its identity. Dominated in the rebound in the first four games of this series, the Grizzlies took control of this game behind the offensive rebound activity of Steven Adams, new starter, then Brandon Clarke, off the bench. If the Warriors have lost an average of 17 balls since the start of the series, the Grizzlies had never really managed to take advantage of it. Last night, they managed to make a difference at the end of the first quarter by capitalizing on these loss of balls, as they had been able to do throughout the regular season.
– The numbers of a one-sided first half. With the Grizzlies playing for survival and the Warriors lacking concentration, lacking intensity, and making a string of errors, Memphis outrageously dominated the first 24 minutes and the stats are there to prove it. The Warriors lost 14 fly balls and gave up 13 offensive rebounds to give the Grizzlies 17 more possessions. Taylor Jenkins’ men took the opportunity to score 25 points on these lost balls and 14 points (against 0 for the Dubs) on their second chances. They also dominated in the racket scoring 22 more points than their opponent.
– The Grizzlies fill up on confidence with Game 6. If the final score is as historic as it is anecdotal since it only counts for a victory, Memphis will still show up in San Francisco with long teeth and nothing to lose. During this correction, they were able to get Desmond Bane back into rhythm as he struggled the entire series and they were able to dominate the rebound behind the towering Steven Adams. The Warriors will obviously have the advantage of playing at home and will be keen to react but they will have to do it without Andre Iguodala, without Gary Payton II, and perhaps without Otto Porter Jr, decisive in this series, who left at the half-time due to a right foot injury.
TOPS/FLOPS
✅ Jaren Jackson Jr.. Aggressive from the start of the match, JJJ set the tone for his team. He was excellent in the second defensive curtain and allowed himself to chamber Golden State with 3-point shots from ten meters. He finished the game with 21 points, 8 rebounds, and 2 blocks.
✅ Desmond Bane. For the first time in the series, Bane was able to find his groove. He put his first two shots from long range and got aggressive towards the circle to score 21 points at 4/6 from three-point range.
✅ Tyus Jones. Again solid, Jones also scored 21 points and delivered 9 assists to lead the boat of his team with a master hand.
✅ Steven Adams – Brandon Clarke. The two interiors dominated in the racket, taking 20 rebounds between them including 11 offensive.
⛔ The Warriors. There was none to catch up with the other that night. Special mention to Draymond Green and Jordan Poole, author of 9 lost balls between them in 22 minutes of play.
THE FOLLOWING
Game 6 : in the night from Friday to Saturday in San Francisco.
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