Grizzlies rout Timberwolves to tie series at 1 apiece

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The Memphis Grizzlies responded to losing their first game as a No. 2 seed by getting back to how they play.

The result? The largest margin of victory in franchise history in a playoff game and a near triple-double by Ja Morant.

The All-Star point guard scored 23 points, handed out 10 assists and grabbed nine rebounds as the Grizzlies looked much more like the team that posted the NBA's second-best record, routing the Minnesota Timberwolves 124-96 on Tuesday night to even up their first-round Western Conference series at 1 apiece.

Morant went to the bench with 4:40 left to a huge ovation and teammates telling him how close he was to a triple-double.

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Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12) reacts during the second half of Game 2 of a first-round NBA basketball playoff series against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday, April 19, 2022, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)

"It was good to get that win," Morant said. "Obviously, you know, if you get a triple-double, it’s hard to do it in this league, so that’s special as well. But the win is the important thing, and we got that."

Memphis coach Taylor Jenkins said Morant showed great balance along with the bench outscoring Minnesota 60-43 and defense fueling the offense.

"This is our recipe ...," Jenkins said. "This is the more the style that we got to play."

Desmond Bane and Jaren Jackson Jr. each added 16 with Jackson hitting 4 of 7 from 3-point range. Seven Grizzlies finished in double figures with Brandon Clarke, Xavier Tillman Sr. and Ziaire Williams each having 13. Tyus Jones added 10.

Game 3 is Thursday night in Minneapolis.

Anthony