Ja Morant shrugged off a sprained proper ankle to attain 22 factors and add 9 assists and the Memphis Grizzlies beat the Dallas Mavericks 120-106 on Friday night time to advance to the NBA playoffs.
Memphis secured the Western Convention’s eighth seed and can open in opposition to top-seeded Oklahoma Metropolis in a best-of-seven sequence starting Sunday on the Thunder’s residence court docket.
Morant was injured Tuesday night time at Golden State within the Grizzlies’ play-in opener and was questionable to play Friday.
“The medical doctors gave me all the assistance I wanted within the easiest phrases,” stated Morant, whose availability wasn’t sure till about half-hour earlier than tip-off. “I needed to be on the ground. I needed to play this recreation and get the win.”
Jaren Jackson Jr led Memphis with 24 factors, and Desmond Bane had 22.
Anthony Davis led Dallas with 40 factors and 9 rebounds. Klay Thompson had 18 factors.
Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant drives to the basket throughout the third quarter in opposition to the Dallas Mavericks at FedExForum (Petre Thomas)
Davis limped off within the fourth quarter with what seemed to be a proper calf damage. He returned briefly however didn’t end the sport. He sat within the locker room after the sport with a wrap and an ice bag on the leg. Davis stated he tried to struggle by way of the damage, figuring out it was a win or go-home state of affairs.
“We had our possibilities. Clearly, a troublesome loss,” Davis stated.
Memphis noticed a 25-point first-half lead melting away within the third quarter because the Mavericks crafted a 27-12 run spanning halftime. That introduced the Mavericks’ deficit to single digits halfway by way of the third.
The Grizzlies stretched the lead again to 96-80 heading into the ultimate quarter and Dallas by no means threatened the remainder of the way in which.
Dallas, which beat Sacramento 120-106 on Wednesday night time to earn a spot in opposition to the Grizzlies, didn’t appear to have the identical spark to start out the sport, by no means main in opposition to Memphis.
Zach Edey had 15 factors and 11 rebounds for Memphis, and Scotty Pippen Jr scored 13 factors.
Memphis misplaced all 4 video games in opposition to Oklahoma Metropolis throughout the common season, all by double digits. Jackson stated the Grizzlies are a distinct state of affairs within the first spherical.
“A sequence is a sequence,” Jackson stated. “You’ve bought to remain level-headed. Whether or not you win a recreation or lose a recreation, it actually doesn’t matter till it’s over.”
Like Memphis, the Mavericks limped into the tip of the season, going 7-15 since March 1. Amid all of it, in addition they misplaced Kyrie Irving to left knee surgical procedure after coping with a commerce that introduced Davis to Dallas and despatched Luka Doncic to the Lakers.
“An unbelievable season, however the change (buying and selling Doncic for AD) and accidents, some would say we shouldn’t even be there,” Mavericks coach Jason Kidd stated. “So give these guys in that locker room a number of credit score.”
Herro scores 30 factors to steer Warmth previous Hawks
By the primary half of Miami’s NBA Play-In Match elimination recreation at Atlanta, Warmth backup guard Davion Mitchell didn’t look a contender to complete as a star of the sport.
Mitchell missed every of his 4 photographs within the first half and had just one level. On the finish of regulation, he nonetheless had solely seven factors.
Then one thing clicked for Mitchell. After the Warmth entered additional time tied with Atlanta at 106, Mitchell made three of 4 photographs – all 3-pointers – within the additional interval to assist lead Miami to a win on Friday night time. Mitchell completed with 16 factors and helped Miami advance to the playoffs, the place it can face Cleveland, the No 1 seed within the Jap Convention.
The Warmth turned the primary No 10 seed in both convention to make the playoffs because the present play-in format was launched within the 2020-21 season. Miami additionally turned the primary play-in crew to advance with two highway wins.
Tyler Herro added two 3s in additional time to steer Miami with 30 factors.
Herro’s scoring lead was anticipated. Mitchell’s starring function was a shock. He warmed up for the additional interval by making a 3-pointer within the fourth quarter.
“For him to battle like that within the first half and have that form of fourth quarter and additional time actually speaks to his character,” Miami coach Erik Spoelstra stated of Mitchell.
Miami Warmth guard Tyler Herro passes behind Atlanta Hawks guard Dyson Daniels throughout the second half at State Farm Area (Dale Zanine/Reuters)
Mitchell stated the help of Spoelstra and his teammates helped give him the boldness to maintain capturing, particularly in additional time.
“I really feel I used to be forcing it within the first half, making an attempt to do an excessive amount of,” Mitchell stated.
“I simply form of re-set in my thoughts … and let the sport come to me. … I simply imagine within the work I’ve put in. Even when I’m lacking photographs, it’s OK.”
Mitchell averaged 7.9 factors, however scored 15, making every of his two 3-pointers, in Miami’s at Chicago on Wednesday night time in its first Play-In Match win.
Mitchell’s huge recreation in opposition to the Hawks got here in his return to his residence state. Mitchell was born in Hinesville, Georgia, and commenced his faculty profession at Auburn earlier than transferring to Baylor. He helped Baylor win its first NCAA championship.
Mitchell started his NBA profession in Sacramento and was acquired by Miami from Toronto in a five-team commerce on February 6 that despatched Jimmy Butler to Golden State.
