MEMPHIS – The Knicks reverted to the familiar — another collapse.
Ja Morant and the upstart Grizzlies ran rampant in the fourth quarter Friday night at FedEx Forum, recovering from a 15-point deficit overall and snapping the Knicks three-game winning streak, 118-114.
Morant was the thrilling catalyst while scoring 15 of his 37 points in the final period, as Tom Thibodeau’s offense sputtered and stalled. Julius Randle scored 36 points for the visitors, but only six in the fourth quarter, when the Knicks succumbed to Memphis’ 36-18 run to end the game.
“Honestly, they came out with a specific type of intensity in the fourth,” RJ Barrett said. “And we couldn’t match it. They were better than us.”
It was a disheartening way for the Knicks (28-39) to finish an otherwise encouraging Western Conference swing. With Charlotte and Atlanta both winning Friday, New York is now 4 ½ games out of the final play-in spot with only 15 to play.
It’s a daunting position with Kevin Durant and the Nets waiting in store for Sunday’s game in Barclays Center.
“Any team that has that high level of talent you know how they good they are,” Thibodeau said about the Nets.
Briefly, the Knicks appeared ready for an upset in Memphis. They took control in the third quarter, building that 15-point advantage behind Randle’s bullish offense and an all-around committed defense. But that disappeared quickly — within about seven minutes of game action – and Morant’s lay-up provided Memphis a one-point edge midway through the fourth quarter.
Morant, a dark horse MVP candidate, hit 14 of 33 shots and added eight assists.
“A guy like that you’ve got to try to make him work,” Thibodeau said. “So, he took 33 shots, so he’s going to get some.”
Randle was also satisfied with the defense against Morant, despite his fourth-quarter takeover.
“He shot 14 for 33, which is if you’re going to give him 37 points, you want him to do it like that, obviously,” Randle said. “But he’s a great player, made big plays down the stretch.”
Barrett finished 23 points on just 9 of 25 shooting for the Knicks, who finished their fifth straight road game against Western Conference opponents (they went 3-2).
“Bittersweet,” Randle said. “Kind of story of the season. A couple games where we kind of lost it in the end.”
The Grizzlies (46-22) represent the most exciting young team in the NBA, a surprising contender led by Morant. They’re ranked second in the West, giving legitimacy to their brash play and proclamations.
It was a short transition in Memphis from the Grit-N-Grind Grizzlies, defined by slow-paced defensive basketball with Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol, to the high-flying version and high-scoring version occupying FedEx Forum today.
“We got the blessing of everybody before to go ahead and turn this thing to the next level,” Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr. said. “Grit and grind was super special and it was their thing. They know that we’ve got to have our thing so we can be special, too.
“We’re all on the same page. Grit-N-Grind never goes away really. It’s kind of always here, you see it around. ‘Built Tough’ is the message all around.”
Still, the larger audience was slow to come around to the Grizz, specifically the stations that kept them off national TV. Their games were finally starting to get picked up in February, following a comment from Morant about the disrespect.
“There’s a little more chatter now. But we ain’t never going to be satisfied,” Grizzlies guard Desmond Bane said. “They can be talking about us on every ESPN show they have all morning and we’re still going to that chip on our shoulder. It’s good the Grizzlies are starting to get a little more national recognition but we’re still hungry for sure.”
CAM AVOIDS SURGERY
Cam Reddish’s shoulder separation has finished his season but won’t require surgery, according to coach Tom Thibodeau.
Reddish suffered the injury in a victory this week in Sacramento, when he braced a hard fall with his right arm, and was sent back to New York. The 22-year-old was acquired for a first-round pick in January. He’s eligible for an extension before next season, and will become a restricted free agent if no deal is reached.
“Of course you hate to see a player get injured. We knew it was serious, but we’re pleased that he won’t have to have surgery,” Thibodeau said. “That’s a good sign. It’s an unfortunate part of the game. Just focus on the rehab now.”
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