The Minnesota Timberwolves upset the Memphis Grizzlies in Game 1. The 7-Seed won 130-117 abroad thanks to its two stars, Karl-Anthony Towns and Anthony Edwards.
Memphis Grizzlies (2) – Minnesota Timberwolves (7) 117:130 (BOXSCORE), Serie: 0-1
Edwards in particular showed a fantastic playoff debut, in which he not only scored 36 points (12/23 FG), but also Grizzlies star Ja Morant (32, 8/18 FG, 16/20 FT, 8 assists) and his dreaded drives contained in the second half. Ultimately, however, it was a team effort, and Jaden McDaniels and Patrick Beverley were also able to annoy Morant again and again.
That McDaniels finally hit the three point that secured the Wolves victory. The guests sank a good 39 percent from downtown, but cooled off, especially in the second half. On the other hand, Minnesota only lost 2 turnovers after the change, which was the key to fending off a possible Grizzlies comeback.
The Grizzlies, on the other hand, struggled with the whistles against Jaren Jackson Jr. (10, 4/12), who was not even on the field for 24 minutes due to foul problems. The Big Man still blocked a whopping 7 throws during this time, but was unlucky from a distance (0/4). In general, the hosts converted just seven threes (27 attempts), only Dillion Brooks (24), Desmond Bane (17) and Tyus Jones (7, 6 assists) were successful. At least Brandon Clarke (13, 6/7, 12 rebounds) knew how to please as Big Man coming off the bench.
For the Wolves, McDaniels (15) and Malik Beasley (23, 4/10 threes) were important factors off the bench, the latter in particular seeing many minutes because D’Angelo Russell (10, 2/11, 8 assists) was not always up the height was. Karl-Anthony Towns (29, 11/18 FG, 13 rebounds) convinced this time after his weak play-in performance.
Anthony Edwards towers in Wolves win
The Wolves started red hot, Towns and Edwards in particular were unstoppable and dismantled the Grizzlies with every trick in the book. The duo had a combined 25 points in the first 12 minutes, with Morant a one-man offense at the other end. 15 points (5/5 FG, 5/6 FT) were his haul, all in the zone. Nevertheless, the gap was at times 13 points.
With Towns on the bench, the Grizzlies turned up the heat with their second unit. Backup Big Naz Reid was a weak point for the Wolves, but Edwards was no longer scoring at will either. The hosts kept finding gaps in the zone and were extremely dangerous in transition. Minnesota threw the ball away eleven times in the second quarter, Memphis scored 15 points and was down to 3 points again at the break (62-65).
After the change, however, it was shown again that the Wolves starters were better. Edwards continued to perform confidently, converting jumper after jumper and Towns put Jackson Jr. on a juicy poster. Morant didn’t have it so easy anymore and only scored points on the line. Instead, it was Brooks who kept the hosts in the game with three triples.
Jackson Jr., on the other hand, continued to struggle and picked up his fifth foul early in the final period. This hurt the Grizzlies because Steven Adams could hardly be hidden anymore. The lead grew a little, but Morant again led the hosts within striking distance, among other things through this brilliant dunk and a drawn clear path foul on Russell. But the Wolves stayed calm and were rewarded. McDaniels netted an open corner three with just over 90 seconds left – it was the dagger for the Grizzlies.
Grizzlies vs. Wolves: The series at a glance
| Spiel | Datum | time | Heim | away | result |
| 1 | 16. April | 9:30 p.m | Memphis Grizzlies | Minnesota Timberwolves | 117:130 |
| 2 | 20. April | 2.30 a.m | Memphis Grizzlies | Minnesota Timberwolves | – |
| 3 | 22. April | 1:30 | Minnesota Timberwolves | Memphis Grizzlies | – |
| 4 | 24. April | 4 o’clock | Minnesota Timberwolves | Memphis Grizzlies | – |
| 5* | 27. April | TBD | Memphis Grizzlies | Minnesota Timberwolves | – |
| 6* | 30. April | TBD | Minnesota Timberwolves | Memphis Grizzlies | – |
| 7* | 1st May | TBD | Memphis Grizzlies | Minnesota Timberwolves | – |
*if necessary
