The younger, athletic, swift Memphis Grizzlies placed on a Backyard clinic within the first half Wednesday with level guard Ja Morant as lead firecracker.
The Knicks made it a sport within the second half, however in the long run simply averted a nationally televised embarrassment in absorbing a 120-108 defeat to the red-hot Western Convention energy.
Surging Evan Fournier (30 factors, 8 of 12 from 3) and Mitchell Robinson (14 factors, 11 rebounds, eight blocks) have been sensational, however the Knicks didn’t defend, rebound or get sufficient clutch play from Julius Randle.
The Grizzlies (37-18) are what the Knicks aspire to be. The 24-28 Knicks now head onto a murderous five-game western journey that may make or break their disappointing season.
Morant completed with 23 factors and 9 assists. He had loads of assist and the Grizzlies proved to have too many younger weapons to deal with.
“No disrespect to the Knicks, I really feel like they're a very good workforce with some nice items,’’ Morant mentioned. “It's simply ending the puzzle just about however that's what we try to do too.’’
Memphis’ Ziaire Williams, the rookie lottery pick of Stanford, had a career-best evening with 21 factors. Jaren Jackson Jr., whose father works for the G-League Westchester Knicks, appeared terrific in lighting it up from 3, and completed with 24 factors.
Coach Tom Thibodeau mentioned the Knicks’ “defensive transition” killed them within the first half earlier than they shored it up. However they couldn’t rebound within the second half.
“Offensive rebounding value us within the fourth quarter,’’ Thibodeau mentioned. “Twenty 5 second-chance factors. It’s arduous to win like that.’’
When requested if the Knicks didn’t have the bounces go their approach, Thibodeau mentioned sharply, “You bought to make them go your approach.’’
“We have been fairly assured, we have been going to make a run,’’ Fournier mentioned. “However I really feel they bought all of the 50-50 balls tonight. Belief me, we tried.’’
Randle didn’t shoot effectively however posted good numbers, practically getting a triple-double with 18 factors, 12 rebounds and 9 assists. However the Knicks wanted the 2020-21 model to beat this Grizzlies juggernaut.
Throughout a timeout halfway by the fourth quarter with the Knicks in vary of an upset, Randle bought concerned within the Memphis huddle jawing with Desmond Bane. A double technical was known as, and Randle picked up a second one within the closing two minutes, resulting in an computerized ejection.
The Grizzlies regained the momentum as Bane drilled a 3-pointer off an offensive rebound. Morant snaked to the basket for a layup and the Knicks have been toast.
The Knicks felt they have been nearer than they actually have been because the Grizzlies led for the ultimate 47 minutes.
“The way in which we consider it the transition factors within the first half, we cleaned these up,’’ RJ Barrett mentioned. “I wanted to make a pair extra free throws and get some extra rebounds. We allow them to hit 3s. We performed good preliminary protection the entire sport. We performed effectively offensively so it’s a troublesome one.”
The Knicks additionally bought nothing — actually — from level guard Kemba Walker, scoreless for the second straight sport because the Knicks look to deal him on the Feb 10 commerce deadline. Walker was 0-for-4 in 17 minutes.
“He’s a confirmed scorer on this league,’’ Thibodeau mentioned. “Gamers are going to undergo various things. I simply need him to shoot when he’s open. Should you’re not taking pictures effectively, discover a totally different factor to assist us with.’’
Memphis took a 64-52 lead after a primary half stuffed with highlights. The Grizzlies have been up by as many as 19 factors as Morant poured in 15 along with his dizzying drives and chatted up celeb row.
Any Knicks turnover was parlayed right into a highlight-reel Memphis dunk. Throughout a two-minute span, Morant fed rookie Williams for a wild alley-oop slam adopted by Williams lofting a lob for Morant for a fast-break jam.
The Knicks have been no match however no less than they've Fournier coming round.
“He’s in a very good rhythm now,” Thibodeau mentioned. “Teammates are doing a very good job looking out him out. In the event that they’re loaded up on the robust aspect with Julius, the again aspect is open.”
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