The Suns, the team that has dominated the regular season from beginning to end and who stayed two steps from the ring last season (he won 2-0 in the Final against the Bucks) had nine straight wins. Look for one more, at least, to add 63 and, thus, sign the best balance in its history. He was also 31-6 away, with options to make a historical record (34-7 the Warriors of 73 victories, six years ago). All that before to play in Memphis. Comanche territory… but with an asterisk. Because the Grizzlies, the story of the year and the second best team in the regular season, They are still without Ja Morant and they also did not have Desmond Bane, Jaren Jackson Jr, Steven Adams and Tyus Jones for this match.
Well, the Grizzlies won. (122-114). Because that’s their season. Running, defending, playing with happy bravery and electrifying a stadium that fills up every night (nearly 18,000 people) because Memphis has once again found a team to believe in, want. And of course: the Grizzlies have seven wins in a row, all without Ja Morant. Without all star and franchise player are, the data is simply incredible, 19-2. His record is 55-23, now only two wins away (they have four games left) of the 57 they have never reached in their history. There is a moment when words run out with this team, which is a bit of everyone. It only remains to enjoy it. Each night.
The Suns (62-15) will have to wait to sign their best season, and only they can match (31-7 now) the best away record. After a poor start (34-23 in the first quarter, against a locomotive), they managed (yes, with all the main players on the track) to be ahead at the beginning of the last quarter (84-85). Then, a 17-2 intensified as Monty Williams froze with the second unit on the floor. The Grizzlies escaped and were cold-blooded with the decisive free throws to stop a last attempt led by Devin Booker (41 points, 17/28 shooting), the only one who was at their level, perhaps along with Mikal Bridges (18 points) and Cam Payne on a Suns that missed a lot of open shots and showed some signs of fatigue.
The Grizzlies’ song of joy amassed another totally improbable victory with a 16-2 in attack rebounds and 16 more shots to compensate with second options for some success gaps (I repeat: without Morant, Bane, Jones…). With only 7 triples made, the Grizzlies went to 122 points against the Suns. A barbarity directed by Dillon Brooks, with a license to shoot as a reference (30 points, 28 shots). Participating in the excellent choral performance were Kyle Anderson, a Xavier Tillman who stopped DeAndre Ayton, De’Anthony Melton (in an exceptional moment), Brandon Clarke, John Konchar… and Santiago Aldama. The Spaniard played 21 minutes, scored 12 points, grabbed 5 rebounds, made a mate to remember and he put a tremendous block on Devin Booker in a first half in which his coach, the brilliant Taylor Jenkins, was sent off. It didn’t matter either.
Great minutes for the Spanish power forward in a very deep, voracious, packed team. Whoever is on the track wins, it has sections in which it literally overwhelms, takes the rival off the map. As well, whatever it is. With a sweeping style, a fascinating game pace and a present that is fabulous and only pales before a future that is impossible to put a ceiling on. Good times in Tennessee, happy days and really looking forward to seeing these Grizzlies in the playoffs against which fewer and fewer bets are made. If you see them play, it is impossible not to believe in them.
#party #ends #Memphis