The Dallas Mavericks lose the second leg against the LA Clippers despite a gala by Luka Doncic in the final quarter. Two other superstars also tower – Joel Embiid with a historic stat line including a monster dunk, Nikola Jokic with the block to win the Nuggets.
At the break, the Grizzlies already had 74 points and Jaren Jackson Jr. sunk four threes. As a result, they were able to take it a little easier, and the reservists were given extended playing time. The fact that things got so close in the end was certainly not in the interests of head coach Taylor Jenkinks (26:43 in the final quarter). Ultimately, however, more important was Morant’s health, who twisted his ankle and hobbled into the catacombs. In the final phase, however, he was able to participate again and put up 26 points as well as 6 assists and rebounds.
The Grizzlies, on the other hand, got their fifth win in a row and eighth from the past nine games. For the fifth time in a row they scored more than 120 points. While Jackson Jr. came up with an inefficient double-double (18 and 10, 5/17 FG), Bane scored 25 points (7/13 FG). Steven Adams had 15 (11 rebounds), Clarke had 16 points. The rate from the field made the difference between the teams (49 vs. 40.2 percent).
After the Hornets shot down the frustration of a six-game losing streak against Detroit, they were quickly brought back to earth. Only one of the first 15 threes found its way into the basket, in the end it was 14/45 (31.1 percent; Grizzlies: 33.3). Terry Rozier happily shot it (35, 11/27 FG) and narrowly scraped past a triple-double (10 rebounds, 9 assists). Of the starters, only LaMelo Ball scored in double digits (25, 8/21 FG). Newcomer Montrezl Harrell was convincing again (20 and 9), while Miles Bridges did not succeed at all (8, 2/13 FG).
