
It was snowing in Memphis. On a Friday night in mid March — 3 to 4 inches coming down outside while the Knicks were giving the 45-22 Memphis Grizzlies all they could handle inside the FedEx Forum. NY had a big 3rd quarter to take a 15 point lead with a minute left in the period, but once again, the Knicks could not close it out. Instead, Ja Morant stepped up and won the game in the final 5 minutes.
It ended NY’s 3-game win streak, leaving them 28-39 with 15 games left in the season. NY needs to go 13-2 to finish at .500. Memphis meanwhile has the 2nd best record in all of basketball.
1. Third-Quarter Riches
Memphis had a 12-point lead in the 2nd quarter but the Knicks hung with them and wouldn’t go away — pulling to within 5 at the half.
And then in the 3rd, the Knicks took over — Julius Randle and RJ Barrett leading the scoring charge, and the Knicks defense, anchored by an active Mitchell Robinson, throttling Memphis — making them look error-prone and quieting the crowd.
RJ Barrett: PERSISTENCE PERSONIFIED pic.twitter.com/fSTNaEFK3e
— KNICKS ON MSG (@KnicksMSGN) March 12, 2022
When Julius Randle hit a deuce with a minute left in the quarter, NY had run up a 15-point lead with a 1:08 left in the 3rd.
But then Ja Morant got serious. To that point Morant was having a poor shooting night — taking a lot of shots and missing most. But with the game in the balance he raised his game. Morant hit a jumper and got a breakaway dunk off a bad Evan Fournier pass (sandwiching a Kyle Anderson dunk) and just like that Memphis was within 9 entering the 4th.
2. Fourth-Quarter Doom
Morant was out of the game for rest to start the 4th, but when he came back in with 9:28 left he immediately hit a 3 to pull Memphis within 5.
Brandon Clarke, Tyrus Jones, and Jaren Jackson helped Morant with buckets andi finally, with 3 minutes left, free throws by Morant put Memphis back on top, 107-106.
Jaren Jackson blocks on Barrett and Randle attempts throttled NY down the stretch, while on the other end, Morant scored 10 points in 2 minutes — layups, alleyoops, and free throws — lots of free throws (6-6) and it was game over — a 106-105 Knick lead became a 115-108 Memphis lead with a minute left.
TRIP & 12.
12 & TRIP. @JaMorant | @jarenjacksonjr pic.twitter.com/GThog2obhj— Memphis Grizzlies (@memgrizz) March 12, 2022
Jaren Jackson Jr finished with 5 blocked shots, Brandon Clarke blocked 4 leading Memphis to block 16 shots.
NY tried in vain to make it closer in the final minute — and two missed free throws by Desmond Bane with 14 seconds left, followed by a Mitchell Robinson dunk made it 117-114 and gave NY a Hail Marry’s chance. But Morant was purposely fouled, went to the line and made 2 more free throws and it was game over.
Morant finished with 37 points on 14-33 shooting (1-4 from 3; 8-10 in free throws) — not great shooting overall but he made them when they counted, and really rose to the occasion at the end.
3. Knicks Hung Tough with Great Team
It was a disappointing loss but the Knicks showed again they can play with anyone — almost beating the team with the 2nd best record in the NBA on their home court.
Julius Randle ended up with 36 points on 11-27 shooting (3-6 from 3; 11-13 in free throws), 12 rebounds, and 6 assists, and RJ Barrett had a strong game (23 points on 9-23 shooting) but neither came up with enough big buckets in the final 5 minutes to quell Morant.
.@J30_RANDLE BULLY BALL pic.twitter.com/vjpa11QXZW
— KNICKS ON MSG (@KnicksMSGN) March 12, 2022
Mitchell Robinson finished with a bang-up night: 10 points on 5-8 shooting, 16 rebounds, 4 blocks, 3 steals, and 4 assists.
Alec Burks had a good game with 18 points, Evan Fournier added 12, and Immanuel Quickley 11.
IMMANUEL QUICKLEY AND-1 πͺ pic.twitter.com/VyQBmlmqrw
— KNICKS ON MSG (@KnicksMSGN) March 12, 2022
Etcetera
The game started out with an Elvis Pressley impersonation from Walt Frazier, standing with Marv Albert’s son and Knick broadcaster Kenny Albert:
Introducing … ELVIS CLYDE πΊ pic.twitter.com/12kJDMLYcG
— KNICKS ON MSG (@KnicksMSGN) March 12, 2022
The game ended with an Elvis Pressley impersonation by Clyde:
Clyde πΆπ pic.twitter.com/EfoVao99zR
— KNICKS ON MSG (@KnicksMSGN) March 12, 2022
Meanwhile outside, it was snowing out in Memphis:
Snowing in memphis! Snowball fights with the supervisors. Gone be an easy night…lol. Ain't not a nan driver came in here but me and my cohort. My partner in crime. π€£ππ€£ππ€£ pic.twitter.com/azn2D5K5RT
— Canida Williams (@IMSTANDINSTILL) March 12, 2022
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