The spotlight is on Ja Morant and his Grizzlies, and the opening minutes prove them right. The All-Star point guard is already driving 180 km/h on the highway and he is making the Knicks defense dizzy, overwhelmed by the rhythm. Morant is having fun (17 points at the break) and the group of visitors is very well oiled. Under the panels, we will note the few huge counters of Mitchell Robinson, who fusses with good heart with Steven Adams in the paint. The pace slowed, and despite a quick reaction from the Knicks, it was Memphis who had the advantage at halftime (64-52).
Back from the locker room, coach Thibodeau’s men try to slow down the game to better control the Grizzlies. RJ Barrett attacks the circle to cause some fouls to the Jackson-Adams interior duo. New York is not dropped, but we feel that the Grizzlies can bite at any time. Fournier may have planted from afar during the last quarter and given hope to Garden fans of a turnaround, it was Desmond Bane and Ziaire Williams who punished at 3-points and extinguished the last hopes of Randle and company. Memphis recovers after its defeat in Philly and wins in the Big Apple (120-108).
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– Melton the first quarter sniper! De’Anthony Melton is rather known for his defensive abilities, but the former Suns made the talk as soon as he entered the floor. In 5 minutes, he lit from afar and stuck a nice 3/4 from 3-pointers, with 2 rebounds and 2 assists. Precious in the Grizzlies collective, Melton was a perfect example of a spark coming from the bench during the first quarter!
– Mitchell Robinson, counters, offensive rebounds and dunks in the skin! 8 blocks, 7 offensive rebounds (11 in total) and 7 dunks for the slender pivot of the Bockers, who gave work to Steven Adams, yet not easy to move in the paint. Robinson is still erratic and sometimes has big swings in concentration, but when he is well in his game, he is a strong asset for his team in protecting the racquet and picking up crumbs on offense.
– 23 points only for the second unit of the Knicks. With a transparent Alec Burks (4 points), and an Immanuel Quickley who chained missed shots (3/11 for him), the second unit of New York did not bring much to the collective of Tom Thibodeau. Very solid during the first third of the season, the second knives of the Knicks have been a little less inspired for a few matches…
TOPS/FLOPS
✅Jaren Jackson Jr. The former Michigan State is having a blast in the Grizzlies collective, and he put the Garden in his pocket tonight. With 26 points, including 4 3-point shots, 10 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 blocks, Jackson takes full advantage of the undermining work done by Steven Adams, which frees him up a lot of space and some defensive responsibilities.
✅Evan Fournier. The Frenchman quickly found the target, and performed a very complete performance. 30 points, 8 long shots, and a good defense on opposing exteriors. Fournier has harangued Garden fans on several occasions, and seems to be finding some consistency after the first complicated months. Note that his agreement with RJ Barrett is also increasingly interesting.
⛔Kemba Walker. A new performance in the form of zero points for Walker. Yet back in favor during the month of December and part of January, the former leader of the Celtics is transparent, little involved and seems out of place on both sides of the floor. Beware of a new “relapse”, because Walker’s credit in the eyes of coach Thibs seems to be melting like snow in the sun, and this kind of match does not prove the technician wrong…
UNDER THE SIGN OF 2
On 2/2/2022, Bane ends the game with 2 assists, 2 interceptions, 2 blocks and 2 fouls. He shoots at 22%, and he wears the… 22!
THE FOLLOWING
New York (24-28) : Saturday, first leg of their West Coast road trip to face the Lakers
Memphis (36-18) : trip to Florida on Saturday to face the Magic
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