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 collection starting Sunday on the Thunder’s house 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,” mentioned Morant, whose availability wasn’t sure till about half-hour earlier than tip-off. “I wished to be on the ground. I wished to play this sport 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.
Davis limped off within the fourth quarter with what gave the impression 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 mentioned he tried to struggle by way of the damage, realizing it was a win or go-home state of affairs.
“We had our possibilities. Clearly, a tricky loss,” Davis mentioned.
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 best way.
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 begin 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 in the course of the common season, all by double digits. Jackson mentioned the Grizzlies are a special state of affairs within the first spherical.
“A collection is a collection,” Jackson mentioned. “You’ve acquired to remain level-headed. Whether or not you win a sport or lose a sport, 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 unimaginable 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 mentioned. “So give these guys in that locker room a number of credit score.”
Herro scores 30 factors to steer Warmth previous Hawks
Via the primary half of Miami’s NBA Play-In Match elimination sport 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 time beyond regulation tied with Atlanta at 106, Mitchell made three of 4 photographs – all 3-pointers – within the further 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 grew to become the primary No 10 seed in both convention to make the playoffs for the reason that present play-in format was launched within the 2020-21 season. Miami additionally grew to become the primary play-in staff to advance with two highway wins.
Tyler Herro added two 3s in time beyond regulation to steer Miami with 30 factors.
Herro’s scoring lead was anticipated. Mitchell’s starring position was a shock. He warmed up for the additional interval by making a 3-pointer within the fourth quarter.
“For him to wrestle like that within the first half and have that sort of fourth quarter and time beyond regulation actually speaks to his character,” Miami coach Erik Spoelstra mentioned of Mitchell.
Mitchell mentioned the assist of Spoelstra and his teammates helped give him the boldness to maintain capturing, particularly in time beyond regulation.
“I really feel I used to be forcing it within the first half, making an attempt to do an excessive amount of,” Mitchell mentioned.
“I simply sort of re-set in my thoughts … and let the sport come to me. … I simply consider 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 massive sport in opposition to the Hawks got here in his return to his house state. Mitchell was born in Hinesville, Georgia, and commenced his school 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.
