2 min read • April 16, 2022
Posted in
See associated Court View here
The Grizzlies SIC Health Score - 91 saw their projected playoff starting lineup take the floor last Saturday for the 10th time this season and only the third since Nov. 26.
Star guard Ja Morant returned from a 9-game absence while resting a sore right knee, his second extended break due to a knee injury, and scored 21 points with 9 assists on 14 shots. Our Docs don’t see his right knee as being a problem in the playoffs and give him an SIC health score of 92.
Dillon Brooks has played in only 32 games this season, but played in 11 of the final 14 games, averaging 18.5 points on 44.1% shooting and scoring in double-figures in all 11 games.
In 109 minutes across 11 games on the floor, the five-man unit of Morant, Desmond Bane, Dillon Brooks, Jaren Jackson Jr., and Steven Adams posted a +24.9 net rating and led Memphis to a 141-114 win the last time they played together.
The Grizzlies’ lone missing piece will be reserve wing Killian Tillie, one of a bevy of interchangeable parts to this 56-win machine.
The Timberwolves SIC Health Score - 92.3 will be in the playoffs for the second time this decade and come in with all their weapons available.
Lengthy third-year wing Jaden McDaniels suffered an injury scare in their play-in win when he bumped knees with a Clipper, but he stayed in the game and is not listed on the Wolves’ injury report.
Reserve power forward Taurean Prince is questionable with a knee injury and didn’t play in either of the team’s last 2 games. His absence would mean more minutes for McDaniels and Jarred Vanderbilt, who may be tasked with staying in front of Ja Morant on switches and will otherwise tussle with Jaren Jackson Jr.
Pat Beverley has battled through a barrel of minor ailments but appears undeterred, while explosive guard Anthony Edwards has now played in 17 straight games after a February patella tendinopathy diagnosis slowed him down for a spell.
Injury-based Plays
D'Angelo Russell O18.5 points - The former Laker is over a hamstring ailment and illness that caused him to miss a few games before the regular season ended, has scored 28+ points against Memphis in last 4 games
Written by
