Memphis – OG Anunoby filled the game with lines.
The Grizzlies and the rest of the world were hoping Jalen Branson would launch a potential game winner on Friday night, but the Knicks Point Guard read the defense and died from the double team and found Anubie on the corner.
The forward then connected to the nicked tray as Ja Morant's layup bouncing off in New York's 114-113 claw biting victory's final possession.
It concluded with a balanced, offensive effort from the Knicks (39-20), who scored double-digit points from all the starters.
Branson already took off another Captain Clutch moment and filled in the Go-Ahead 3-pointer with 24 seconds left.
However, Morant gave Grizzlies a two-point edge on one drive through Mikal Bridges and Mitchell Robinson.
This marked the biggest shot of Anunoby's career in New York and a big victory for the Knicks, who swept the season series against Memphis (38-21).
Just a month ago, the Knicks applied 27 points of the Grizzlies on MSG.
This was one of the best New York performances of the season and one of Memphis' worst performances.
Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins wanted to bolster his defense/rebound from that ugly defeat.
“It was a day off,” Jenkins said. “It was a combination of how we played well and also tasted their strengths. It needs to be adjusted to appear in the second game. You can't let them live during the transition. I thought I did a good job in the half court when I was running the game plan. I still need it [Friday] At night, however, we need to limit the points we give them not only the beginning of our possessions, but also the rebound sector, which is still our main issue. ”
On the morning shootaround, Miles McBride outlined the key to stopping the fast-paced grizzle entering Friday night.
“It's just physical,” McBride said. He finished with 17 points on Friday night, providing highlights. One-handed jams are rising sharply in transition and traffic. “The main thing is to keep them out of the paint. They're a big ISO team. For us, we're leaning against each other. We can't protect everyone one by one, so leaning against each other and sending help is going to be a big thing for us.”
Unlike the yard games, Friday night was close. The Grizzlies led the entire first half, but never surpassed nine and defeated the 3-point edge.
They then locked their first double-digit leads with 6:55 left in the third quarter. But it was short-lived.
The Knicks took their first lead in the fourth quarter with 10 minutes remaining. From there we exchanged Anunoby's finish and Morant's mistakes.
With Robinson's long-awaited return, the Knicks were fully in full force for the first time this season.
However, the issue of fouls limited the two starters in the towns of Josh Hart and Karl Anthony, forcing Tom Thibodeau to roll on the bench longer than usual.
Robinson, who hadn't played since April after undergoing another ankle surgery, was one of those reserves.
He was quickly caught up in action as the first alternative after the town picked up two fouls.
Robinson's first six-minute shift was as productive as the Knicks had hoped for after a 10-month layoff.
A left-handed finish was included on the driving dunk and the post.
Robinson finished with six points and five rebounds in 12 minutes.
The town was limited by foul trouble and rhythm, managing just two points in the first 13 minutes.
He finished with just 11 points and seven rebounds in 31 minutes.
Hart also navigated the foul issue while picking up his fifth foul early in the third quarter. He scored just 12 points on six shots in total.
Branson led the Knicks with 23 points.
Point guard chose his personal beef with Jenkins.
As a result, Branson stared at Jenkins on several possessions and was surprised by the coach throughout the opening half.
