The Memphis Grizzlies do not play small. They love to run and their franchise superstar is a 6’3” point guard. But they do not play small. All season long, size factored into their advantage. They bullied opponents on the glass, made the most of second-chance opportunities and protected the paint. Their starting power forward, Jaren Jackson Jr., led the league in blocks.
But thanks to myriad unique matchup problems created by Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns, the Grizzlies have had to be more nimble in the playoffs, which means giving minutes normally filled by the mountainous Steven Adams to seldom-used sophomore Xavier Tillman and the crafty, 6’9” Kyle Anderson. Even with Adams on the bench, Memphis has mostly kept one of those two with either JJJ or Brandon Clarke as a way to preserve the bulk and muscle that was featured all season long.
