The Memphis Grizzlies defeated the Dallas Mavericks on Friday night to advance to the NBA playoffs after Ja Morant recovered from a sprained right ankle to score 22 points and add nine assists.
In a best-of-seven series starting on Sunday on the Thunder’s home court, Memphis will face Oklahoma City in a top-seeded matchup.
Morant was harmed on Tuesday night at Golden State during the Grizzlies’ opening play-in game and was questioned on Friday.
“The doctors gave me everything I needed in the simplest terms,” Morant said, whose availability was unknown until about 30 minutes before tip-off. I desired to stand on the floor. I wanted to win this game.
Desmond Bane had 22 points, while Jaren Jackson Jr. had 24 for Memphis.
Dallas had 40 points and nine rebounds in Anthony Davis’ favor. Thompson scored 18 points.
Davis reportedly had a right calf injury in the fourth quarter. He made a brief return, but the game was not finished. After the game, he had an ice bag on his leg and a wrap while sat in the locker room. Davis claimed to make an effort to recover from the injury knowing it would be a win-or-die situation.
“We had a chance,” he said. A difficult loss, Davis said, “of course.”
A 25-point first-half lead fell away in the third quarter as the Mavericks put together a 27-12 run that stretched all the way to Memphis. Midway through the third period, the Mavericks’ deficit reached single digits.
The Grizzlies extended their lead to 96-80 heading into the fourth quarter, but Dallas never faced any threat.
Dallas, which defeated Sacramento on Wednesday night to earn a spot against the Grizzlies, didn’t appear to have the same spark as it did to start the game, never leading against Memphis.
For Memphis, Zach Edey scored 15 points and 11 rebounds, and Scotty Pippen Jr. added 13 points.
Memphis fell behind to Oklahoma City in all four of its regular-season games by double digits. In the first round, Jackson claimed the Grizzlies are considering a different scenario.
According to Jackson, “A series is a series.” You must maintain mental discipline. It really doesn’t matter until the game is over, whether you win or lose.
The Mavericks finished the season with a 7-15 record, just like Memphis did. After a trade that brought Davis to Dallas and sent Luka Doncic to the Lakers, they also lost Kyrie Irving, who had left knee surgery.
Some would say we shouldn’t even be there because of the change (Trading Doncic for AD) and injuries, according to Mavericks coach Jason Kidd. Give those locker room men a lot of credit, they said.
Herro leads the Heat past Hawks with 30 points.
Davion Mitchell did not appear to be a contender to win the NBA Play-In Tournament championship game against Miami in the opening half of the first half of the game’s elimination at Atlanta.
In the first half, Mitchell only managed one point and four of his shots. He still only had seven points at the end of the regulation.
Then something clicked for Mitchell. After the Heat and Atlanta were tied at 106 in overtime, Mitchell made three of four three-pointers in the extra period to give Miami the win on Friday night. Miami will face Cleveland, the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference, in the postseason, with Mitchell finishing with 16 points.
Since the 2020-21 season’s introduction of the play-in format, the Heat became the first No. 10 seed in either conference to reach the postseason. With two road victories, Miami became the first play-in team to advance.
In overtime, Tyler Herro led Miami by 30 points with two 3s.
Herro had anticipated a scoring lead. Surprised, Mitchelll played the leading role. In the fourth quarter, he made a 3-pointer to make a warm-up for the extra period.
Erik Spoelstra, the Miami coach, said of Mitchell, “[t]he struggled like that in the first half and in that kind of fourth quarter and overtime really speaks to his character.”
Mitchell said Spoelstra and his teammates’ encouragement gave him the confidence to continue shooting, especially in overtime.
Mitchell said, “I felt like I was forcing it in the first half, trying too hard.”
“I just kind of reset my mind,” he said, “and let the game come to me.” I simply believe in the effort I put in. It’s okay if I miss shots, even if I don’t.
In Miami’s first Play-In Tournament victory against Chicago on Wednesday night, Mitchell averaged 7.9 points but added 15. He made each of his two 3-point attempts.
Mitchell returned to his native state to play his big game against the Hawks. Mitchell was born in Hinesville, Georgia, and he began his college education at Auburn before transferring to Baylor. He helped Baylor capture its first NCAA title.
Source: Aljazeera
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