The showdown between the Wolves and Grizzlies turned out to be a nail-biter! With a staggering 25 lead changes and Ja Morant stepping up big time in the final moments, Memphis came out on top. Jaren Jackson Jr. dominated with 33 points, leading his squad to victory. Let’s break it down!
Heart-Stopping Moments in a Tightly Contested Battle
The clash between the Wolves and Grizzlies stands as one of the closest games of the season. No team could pull away, with the lead swapping hands 25 times throughout the matchup. It felt like a playoff atmosphere on a chilly winter night, although it was a rough outing for stars Ja Morant (12 points, 5/19 shooting) and Anthony Edwards. Morant made a statement in the clutch, burying two critical baskets in the closing minutes to secure the win for Memphis.
TWO CRAZY JA BUCKETS IN THE FINAL MINUTE WIN IT FOR MEMPHIS 🍿🍿🍿 pic.twitter.com/RaidlrQC98
— NBA (@NBA) January 12, 2025
Struggles for Ant and Contributions from Others
On the flip side, it was a challenging night for Anthony Edwards, who managed only 15 points on 4/13 shooting, including two missed three-pointers when the Wolves were looking to take the lead in the final seconds. Donte DiVincenzo shined with a strong stat line of 27 points, 10 rebounds, and 7 assists. Memphis displayed impressive balance with five players scoring over 15 points.
@spippenjr ending Q1 strong 💪 pic.twitter.com/38NKbKqmH3
— Memphis Grizzlies (@memgrizz) January 12, 2025
Rebounding: The Key to Victory
The turning point of the game? Offensive rebounds. Memphis dominated the glass with a staggering 21 to 7 advantage, allowing them far more second-chance opportunities. Shoutout to Zach Edey, who grabbed 7 offensive boards on his own, matching the entire Wolves team’s total. Rudy Gobert contributed on the offensive end, scoring 12 points on a perfect 6/6 shooting, but his defensive impact was lacking with just 4 rebounds—far too little for a player of his caliber in such a critical game. Edwards’ subpar performance definitely left the Wolves wanting more.
Game Aftermath: What Lies Ahead
Ultimately, the Wolves see their three-game winning streak come to an abrupt end. Meanwhile, the Grizzlies celebrate a significant victory as they gear up to take on the Rockets in Houston, who previously dealt them a tough loss. Stay tuned for more action!