Grizzlies suffer blowout loss to Timberwolves at home

The Memphis Grizzlies crushed again at home to the Minnesota Timberwolves, falling to 0-8 at FedExForum.

The Memphis Grizzlies couldn’t pull out a home win once again, now dropping their 1st 8 games at home — the complete opposite of their homecourt advantage the past few years.

The Timberwolves established a tone with a potent offensive attack early in the game, and while the Grizzlies tightened things together with better two-way play, they lost control in the 2nd quarter. Ultimately, they couldn’t piece more things together in the second half, as the effort and execution waned as the clock ticked.

Dropping to 3-13, this is a Grizzlies team that’s looking to find its edge and swagger to get the tired spinning out of the mud.

Anyways, 1-9-1 on last night’s game.

1 Play

This defensive sequence highlighted the string of togetherness the team is capable of defensively.

Jacob Gilyard starts with full-court pressure at the point of attack. Players stick with their man amidst off-ball movement. After Towns screens for Conley, Bismack Biyombo switches to pick up the ball to force a “Nash” (baseline under the goal) dribble. When Anthony Edwards gets to the ball, Jaren Jackson comes to the level of the screen to switch, ultimately forcing a shot clock violation.

This sort of effort and connectively is possible, even through it’s loaded inactive report.

9 Players

• Desmond Bane continues to be bothered by his aching foot and the defensive attention. He struggled with the lift on his shot off the dribble, and couldn’t get much going inside the arc. His fortitude to not only keep playing through his injuries, but to only take on his on-ball responsibilities while defending Anthony Edwards, was an encouraging testament to his leadership.

• Jaren Jackson Jr. played with good force for the most part. He attacked the basket to get to the charity stripe, blocked 3 shots, and showed great switchable moments we’re used to seeing him from his defensively. On the other hand, he struggled with the Wolves’ 3-headed frontcourt monster with post defense and on the glass. Offensively, he was better from beyond the arc, but continues to struggle as teams are dialing up on the pressure on him.

• Bismack Biyombo ensured Gobert wasn’t as forceful on the glass, but he and Towns also got to their spots efficiently. Offensively, Biyombo had some sweet turnarounds. However, he fumbled some passes, and his free throw woes were exposed when getting fouled off the roll.

• Santi Aldama’s outside jumper was off, but he made some good shots in the paint. The most glaring element of this game was his defense. His perimeter defense was exposed rather quickly in the Timberwolves’ initial 14-2 run, leading Taylor Jenkins to pull him and slot him in his usual minutes at the 4. The plug may be pulled on his time at the 3, as his perimeter defense is suited for it.

• Derrick Rose has been providing a ton of needed effort, seeking out loose ball (4 rebounds, 2 offensive). He’s adding rim pressure and playmaking that’s been nonexistent next to Desmond Bane. His impact, especially offensively, has been an encouraging spot within his tough stretch.

• David Roddy was inconsistent driving the basketball. He had some good takes to the basket. However, he fumbled the ball on occasion and also struggled against the Timberwolves’ length inside.

• It was a ‘Jekyll and Hyde’ performance for Ziaire Williams, as his offense flashed in and out throughout the game — but was immensely better in the 4th quarter. He couldn’t really defend without fouling, corralling 5 fouls in just 18 minutes. He has to establish some sort of consistency through all 48 minutes to make an impact in the Grizzlies’ rotation.

• Jacob Gilyard couldn’t really do much against the Timberwolves’ size, and he was phased out of the rotation more in the 2nd half.

• Taylor Jenkins rolled with Jaylen Nowell for rotation minutes. He impacted the game with his pace, effort, and creation. He made 2 shots off the dribble and generated 3 assists, while corralling 5 rebounds. In a situation where they need a spark, the Grizzlies could see what they have in Nowell for the next week.

1 Take

From Bleacher Report’s Molly Morrison, Marcus Smart lit into the team for its “embarrassing” performance lately at home.

Yeah, it sucks, and the team needs to play harder and better.

The Grizzlies had at least shown fight to come back and make games closer in the past — even in the face of their absences. However, last night and the 2 games prior, they’ve laid down.

The team pointed to things they can control: effort, communication, gameplan execution, and body language. That’s the main take here. Looks don’t always fall, and teams may make a ton of shots one night. Those elements are uncontrollable, but the other elements are controllable.

“We got to be better, it’s not necessarily about making or missing shots, or turning the ball over. Those things happen throughout the course of the game. It’s just basketball, but our body language, our attention to detail on the game plan, execution... we do all those things right, and the other team makes more shots than us. You tip your cap, you move on, but we can’t continue to fall short in certain areas.” - Desmond Bane

If the Grizzlies can ramp up their care factor and take control of those little details, then their misfortune could start to turn sooner rather than later.

The Memphis Grizzlies will face the Utah Jazz on Wednesday in their 3rd and final game of a 3-game homestand.

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