Steven Adams

Ja Morant had 23 points, nine rebounds and 10 assists as the Memphis Grizzlies coasted to a 124-96 win over the visiting Memphis Timberwolves in Game 2 of ...

The Timberwolves found a way to make Steven Adams uncomfortable on defense. How should the Grizzlies adjust?

He deserves the benefit of the doubt that Saturday was probably his worst game as a Grizzly. His impact is vital to the team’s system. Reduce the amount of time Adams has to roam on the perimeter. He only trailed Dillon Brooks for best on-off differential on the team this regular season, as the Grizzlies were 5.1 points per 100 possessions better with Adams on the floor, per Cleaning the Glass. His elite ability to gather offensive rebounds and to free his teammates up off screens are paramount for the Grizzlies’ halfcourt offense. For Adams, he wouldn’t be asked to defend as much of the floor, and he could serve as more of a quarterback of the defense and call out actions and changes in coverages. That sort of architecture and intention is designed for the post player to throw a pass that’s either erratic or telegraphed. Off the double, Clarke and Jones are walling off the passes to Edwards and Russell, two of Towns’ most lethal options. The most popular decision is to cut Steven Adams’ minutes in favor of Brandon Clarke and (to a lesser extent) Kyle Anderson. That’s a very likely route Taylor Jenkins goes down. This direction also follows another coverage change, and that’s double-teaming Towns whenever he catches and dribbles in the post. Giving him too much room to find his shot is a bold strategy, one the Grizzlies shouldn’t lean on going forward in this series. The play here would’ve been opening up the corner and baseline, where a Jackson shift could’ve put Towns in a less favorable position with fewer angles for him to attack. When Adams attempts to recover on the pass, Towns catches him flat-footed or scrambling, opening up a driving lane straight to the basket. The case is even stronger for Steven Adams. The Grizzly big man doesn’t have the mobility to contain this level and combination of speed, strength, and shooting.

The Timberwolves victory over Memphis on Saturday was among the most attention-getting outcomes in the opening games of the NBA playoffs.

If things aren't working in Game 2, Jenkins has to get creative with his lineups and take some gambles. Tyus Jones, one of the best backup point guards in the NBA and the league's leader in assist-to-turnover played just 16 minutes in the game. Also: Memphis fans know better than anyone, though, that Game One isn't always a testament to how the series goes. Minnesota feasted on him, whether he was guarding Towns or put in switching situations against Edwards. Jackson Jr.'s foul trouble compounded the issue, although the Grizzlies stabilized their defense early in the second quarter playing Kyle Anderson and Brandon Clarke inside. And not in a good way. The Grizzlies were favored, trailed throughout and lost home-court advantage in addition to the game.

The big Kiwi centre was not injured, just straight benched and what he said to the coach has stunned Grizzlies fans.

Like elite athletes at their peak, our sports journalists are highly trained in the art of news. Steven Adams hasn’t played the final 45 minutes of this game but I’m not sure he’s sat down on the bench. Been hyping up and coaching from the sideline all game.

The kiwi centre found himself in early foul trouble, playing just the first three minutes of the game after copping two early fouls. Coach Taylor Jenkins says ...

Steven Adams has taken a measly three minutes of court time in his stride as the Memphis Grizzlies locked up their NBA playoffs first round series against the Minnestota Timberwolves 20 April 2022 Steven Adams has taken a measly three minutes of court time in his stride as the Memphis Grizzlies locked up their NBA playoffs first round series against the Minnestota Timberwolves The kiwi centre found himself in early foul trouble, playing just the first three minutes of the game after copping two early fouls.

Kiwi centre Steven Adams has clocked just three minutes of court time as his Memphis Grizzlies side pulled level in their NBA playoffs first round series ...

Kiwi centre Steven Adams has clocked just three minutes of court time as his Memphis Grizzlies side pulled level in their NBA playoffs first round series against Minnesota 20 April 2022 Kiwi centre Steven Adams has clocked just three minutes of court time as his Memphis Grizzlies side pulled level in their NBA playoffs first round series against Minnesota

Memphis responds to losing its 1st game as a No. 2 seed with a resounding victory to even the series, which shifts to Minnesota on Thursday.

And sure enough, there it was: On March 21, 1953, the Boston Celtics (64) and the Syracuse Nationals (64) combined to shoot 128 free throws in a four-overtime game. The Grizzlies point guard was a little tentative with the ball, slow in some of his decisions and a little sticky with his dribble. After calling 20 fouls in the first 12 minutes, the crew called only 30 more in the next 36. And Kyle Anderson started the second half at center in place of struggling Steven Adams, scoring just one bucket but posting a plus-24 in his 18 minutes. Well, after one quarter, the Wolves (18) and the Grizzlies (15) had combined for 33. It would have been historic, and it would have been unwatchable. Burly Xavier Tillman Sr. drew a DNP in the opener but had 13 points and seven rebounds, four on the offensive glass. They matched the Wolves with 11 threes while still scoring 60 in the paint. The job at that point is to find open teammates. Heck, they did the next best thing, never meeting Memphis’ anticipated and then real aggressiveness. Morant put up 32 points in the opener and got to the foul line 20 times. “We’re going to say whatever has to be said in the moment to get us going.