By Michael Wallace
Grind City Media
MEMPHIS – Another night, another dominant defensive effort for the Grizzlies as they trend closer to reestablishing their reputation as one of the toughest, stingiest teams in the league.
This time, the lockdown performance came in the form of a 93-71 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Saturday at FedExForum to extend Memphis’ season-long winning streak to four consecutive games. Saturday’s suffocating effort came a night after the Grizzlies set a franchise record for fewest points allowed in a road game, with an 80-64 dismantling of the Dallas Mavericks.
Making the win over Minnesota even more impressive was the fact that travel problems with the Grizzlies’ originally scheduled flight from Dallas caused a two-hour delay that contributed to the team arriving in Memphis at 3 a.m. Saturday. Short rest didn’t short circuit Memphis’ defensive effort. The Grizzlies have held opponents to a combined 135 points during the back-to-back. According to The Elias Sports Bureau, that ties the franchise record low for a two-game span.
TURNING POINT
Their 17-2 run started midway through the third quarter with three straight trips to the free-throw line by Mike Conley, JaMychal Green and James Ennis, which broke a 48-48 tie. The Grizzlies attacked the lane to draw fouls and converted 10 of 13 from the charity stripe in the period. They also forced seven turnovers and led by as many as 25 in the second half. Memphis outscored Dallas 20-12 in the third the previous night.
HIGHLIGHT REEL
Rookie big man Deyonta Davis had a small but impactful role off the bench for the third time in four games. His most impressive moment actually led to a score for the Timberwolves. Davis was called for goaltending when he emphatically swatted Zach LaVine’s driving layup out to the three-point line at the 9:24 mark of the second quarter. But that play helped to set the tone on a night when the Grizzlies were committed to make every possession a brutal struggle for the Timberwolves.
WHO SHINED
Zach Randolph/JaMychal Green. I simply refuse to pick one on this occasion, so let’s simply acknowledge the power forward position overall. Randolph continues to put up efficient numbers as he grows more accustomed to his role on the second unit. He shot 7-of-11 from the field and finished with 18 points and seven rebounds in 21 minutes. Meanwhile, Green contributed 19 points and eight rebounds – both team highs – in 28 minutes as the starter. Green is essentially averaging a double-double in his last three games at 9.7 points and 10.0 rebounds. Randolph has scored 18 points in three of his last four games and has been in double figures in 12 of Memphis’ 13 games this season. Grizzlies’ coach David Fizdale said Randolph should already be in discussion for NBA sixth man of the year.
“I’m starting to adjust pretty well,” Randolph said. “Whether (I’m playing) 20 minutes or 30 minutes, I’m just taking it how it comes. We’re constantly playing and the chemistry is getting better.”
UPSIDE/DOWNSIDE
The upside is it’s clear the Grizzlies are reconnecting with their defensive roots. Sure, the Mavericks’ roster was depleted by injury on Friday in Dallas, but the Timberwolves were rested and basically at full strength entering Saturday. Didn’t matter. Memphis scored 27 points off turnovers, outrebounded Minnesota by 12, blocked nine shots and had eight steals. The downside is the three-point shooting was non-existent, with the Grizzlies missing their first 14 before finishing 2-of-18 from deep.
ROTATION DEVELOPMENT
The revolving door that has been the Grizzlies’ starting lineup took another spin Saturday as Tony Allen returned to the opening lineup after coming off the bench Friday in Dallas. Chandler Parsons sat out amid a minutes’ management plan tied to his return from last spring’s knee surgery. With Allen back, it’s not by coincidence the Grizzlies responded with their two best defensive performances of the season, which included holding red-hot Andrew Wiggins to just seven points on 2-of-11 shooting Saturday. Wiggins came in averaging 37 points on 58.7 percent shooting in his previous three contests.
“I’ve got to credit my big fella (Marc Gasol), I’ve got to credit Mike (Conley), James (Ennis), those guys helping with the switches and showing,” Allen said of the team-wide assignment. “Whenever we’re tied together on the defensive end, we’re a tough team to beat. We’ve shown we’re one of the best defensive teams in the league. That’s what we hang our hats on.”
GAME RECAP
Grizzlies vs. Timberwolves Recap
WHAT’S NEXT
Grizzlies vs. Charlotte Hornets at Time Warner Cable Arena, 6:00 pm (TV: Grizzlies Live! Pregame Show FOX Sports Southeast 6:00 p.m./Radio: Grizzlies Pregame Show 92.9 FM ESPN, 6:00 p.m.)
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