On Wednesday night, the Knicks were in decline when they hosted the Grizzlies, a team led by hot Ja Morant.
Rookie of the Year 2019-20 has scored 30 or more goals in seven straight games while the Knicks have lost six of their eight games. So who will win?
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Well, the Knicks prevailed by keeping Morant under 30 but suffered another loss when the young and in-form Grizzlies had their final say at Madison Square Garden.
With RJ Barrett taking over as the Grizzlies’ All-Star main defender and Mitchell Robinson acting as the anchor in the paint, the Knicks kept Morant to just 23 points on a gruesome 9-of-27 shot from the field that included 0/ 6 ice-cold outings from the land of 3 points.
Even so, the Grizzlies prevailed as five other players doubled their lead, 26 points led by Jaren Jackson Jr. and Zhaire William’s super-efficient 21-point result (9-11 FG).
A proud big brudda moment in the garden. @JaMorant // @therealZiaire pic.twitter.com/cWc5Q9tvrj
– Memphis Grizzlies (@memgrizz) February 3, 2022
Taking a 19-point lead in the first half, the Knicks brought the deficit down to five points, but Memphis’ young squad was relentless in their efforts and responsiveness to every run.
With just over five minutes to go, the game is leaning in favor of the Grizzlies 104-98 and that’s where most improved candidate Desmond Bane steps in. Even though he finished with just 13 points, he rose to the occasion and scored seven of the team’s final 16 points to seal this victory.
For New York, Evan Fournier scored 30 points in the game, while duo Mitchell Robinson (14 points, 11 rebounds, 8 blocks) and Julius Randle (18 points, 12 rebounds, 9 assists) came close. set a record of doubles three times but failed. insufficient.
Having said that, it was a bittersweet ending for Randle. If the goal is not enough, he will be sent off with 31.5 seconds remaining after the second technical foul. He earned his first after fighting Bane, which resulted in both receiving techies, late in the fourth quarter.
Desmond Bane and Julius Randle joined it in the meantime. pic.twitter.com/hMrIHlozHf
– SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) February 3, 2022
