Memphis Grizzlies hang on to defeat San Antonio Spurs, advance in NBA play-in tournament – Commercial Appeal
How much did the Memphis Grizzlies miss the FedExForum crowd? After Ja Morant missed a free throw with eight seconds left to play, a spontaneous chant started as he regrouped
“Let’s Go Ja! Let’s Go Ja!” rang out through the facility Wednesday night. Morant responded making the second attempt. It was enough cushion for the Grizzlies to escape with a 100-96 win over the San Antonio Spurs in a Western Conference play-in game.
It was also kept the Grizzlies’ season alive, although it means another play-in game Friday (8 p.m., ESPN) at the Golden State Warriors, who lost Wednesday to the Los Angeles Lakers.
Jonas Valanciunas, Dillon Brooks deliver big
Jonas Valanciunas had nine first quarter rebounds. So did the Spurs. It set a tone for Valanciunas showing again why he’s been as consistent as any Grizzlies player this season.
He finished with 23 points, 23 rebounds and three blocks and crossed the 20-point, 20-rebound threshold during the third quarter.
“That’s a hell of a stat,” Morant said. “He really kept them off the boards, a good offensive rebounding team, and he locked down the paint for us tonight.”
Dillon Brooks had eight of his team-high 24 points in the fourth quarter and stayed disciplined on both ends of the floor. By staying out of foul trouble, he helped hold DeMar DeRozan to just 5-of-21 shooting as the Spurs’ top scorer worked hard for his 20 points.
Larger crowd adds boost
For the Grizzlies’ biggest home game since the first round of the 2017 playoffs, it helped that FedExForum raised attendance to 40% capacity. The Grizzlies fed off the atmosphere with a 27-4 first quarter run as the cheers spurred them on.
The Spurs countered in the second with a 17-0 run and it remained close from then on. But the Grizzlies found life and the fans were there. After Morant forced a fourth-quarter turnover, he yelled at the fans near him and they got even louder in response.
During the night, fans waved “Growl Towels” and didn’t need artificial noise aiding them on. The Grizzlies needed it with Brooks playing 41 minutes and Morant playing 40. Rudy Gay’s 3-pointer cut the Grizzlies’ lead to 99-96 but Morant’s free throw put the game out of reach.
Staying alive
Morant’s 20 points came despite shooting 8-for-20 from the field and 2-of-6 on free throws. The Spurs, led by Dejounte Murray, sent multiple defenders at him to keep him out of the paint.
But Wednesday’s win was about he and the Grizzlies finding a way. Brooks and Valanciunas helped Morant with the scoring load and coach Taylor Jenkins shortened his rotation to lean more on his starters, who scored all but 14 points.
More important, it was about staying composed in a high stakes game. A young team that was 3-7 in games decided by three points or less this season wasn’t rattled and now they’re one win away from getting the No. 8 seed in the playoffs.
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You can reach Evan Barnes on Twitter (@Evan_B) or by email at evan.barnes@commercialappeal.com