‘We Knew What Was At Stake’| SLAM

The Memphis Grizzlies aren’t done yet after absolutely imposing their will during Wednesday’s Game 5 with a dominant 134-95 win over the Golden State Warriors.

The Grizzlies were led by Desmond Bane, Tyus Jones, and Jaren Jackson Jr., who each scored 21 points apiece to avoid elimination and force Game 6 in San Francisco.

Memphis never trailed in Game 5, leading by as much as 55 points while shooting 47.5 percent from the field, 43.9 percent from beyond the arc, and manhandled the Warriors inside to the tune of 55 rebounds and 50 points in the paint. The Grizzlies scored a franchise-record 77 points in the first half, their 52-point lead going into the fourth quarter tied for the largest deficit in a playoff game in the past 70 years.

The Grizzlies also forced the Warriors into 22 turnovers

Unicorn. 🦄 pic.twitter.com/PHKtId2kPC

— SLAM (@SLAMonline) May 12, 2022

“We knew what was at stake,” Jackson said per ESPN. “We didn’t change anything, though. We just calmed down, looked at the film, understand what we had to take away from the last game, and just went out there and executed.”

The big-time Game 5 win was thanks to Memphis going back to what helped them become the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference, sheer dominance on the boards, forcing turnovers, and reliable bench scoring.

Bane with the and-1. 💪 pic.twitter.com/o5QwdEzlE4

— SLAM (@SLAMonline) May 12, 2022

The Grizzlies got back to doing the things that helped them post the second-best record during the regular season. They outrebounded Golden State and dominated on the offensive boards. They forced turnovers and got their best production from the bench of this series. The Grizzlies finished the night with a 52-35 edge and held Jordan Poole, who outpaced the Grizzlies in the first games of the series, to just eight points and three assists.

Memphis entered the second quarter with a 35-28 lead and left the second half with a 77-50 lead after unleashing a 20-4 run, including 14 straight, to outscore the Warriors 39-22 in the second frame. Out of halftime, the onslaught continued with the Grizzlies opening the second half with a 20-6 outburst that all but ended any hopes of Golden State making a comeback.

Tyus Jones three ball after the warriors turnover. pic.twitter.com/mKCun7FD4f

— SLAM (@SLAMonline) May 12, 2022

The Memphis faithful celebrated while chanting their signature rallying cry, “Whoop That Trick! Whoop That Trick”, which drew a laugh from Stephen Curry (14 points, four assists, three rebounds), who infamously said the Warrior’s game plan for Game 5 was “Whoop That Trick” earlier on the Wednesday edition of NBA Today.

“Obviously, this was a very impressive win for our group, great bounce-back for sure,”  Memphis Coach Taylor Jenkins said.

Watch JA after this play. 😂 pic.twitter.com/PG2rom1urJ

— SLAM (@SLAMonline) May 12, 2022

The Warriors will look to close the series out on Friday in San Francisco. The Dubs have won five straight playoff games at home, including their last seven overall.