Memphis Grizzlies Shut Down Pelicans in NBA Hub
Well, that was a statement. The Memphis Grizzlies just walked off the court after dismantling the New Orleans Pelicans 4-1 in the NBA Hub, and if you weren't paying attention, you missed a masterclass in controlled aggression. This wasn't some fluke series; Memphis simply outplayed, outhustled, and out-coached New Orleans from Game 1, culminating in a dominant 118-97 victory in the deciding contest.
Right from the jump in Game 1, you could feel the intensity. Ja Morant set the tone early, dropping 32 points and 11 assists, showcasing that burst and fearlessness we've come to expect. He consistently blew past CJ McCollum and Herb Jones, getting to the rim or creating open looks for Desmond Bane and Jaren Jackson Jr. The Pelicans, to their credit, tried to match that energy, with Zion Williamson putting up 28 points and 10 boards in a losing effort. But the Grizzlies' defense, particularly their ability to switch and recover, just seemed a step quicker.
The turning point, in my book, wasn't Game 5. It was Game 3. New Orleans had just snagged Game 2 at home, tying the series 1-1, and there was a feeling they might have found their rhythm. But Memphis came out swinging in Game 3, winning 109-94. That's when Taylor Jenkins made a subtle but critical adjustment: he started shading Steven Adams more towards the paint, letting him deter Williamson's drives, and trusting his perimeter defenders to fight over screens. It paid dividends. Williamson's efficiency dipped from 58% in Game 2 to 47% in Game 3, and the Pelicans’ offense started to bog down.
Morant's Magic and Jenkins' Adjustments
Look, you can talk all you want about matchups and schemes, but Ja Morant was the undisputed man of the series. He averaged 29.4 points, 9.2 assists, and 2.2 steals across the five games. That's MVP-caliber stuff. He consistently found ways to exploit the Pelicans' defense, whether it was through his electrifying drives, his improved mid-range jumper, or his uncanny ability to thread passes through tight windows. In Game 4, he had a ridiculous sequence where he crossed up Jose Alvarado, hit a step-back three, and then stole the inbound pass for an easy dunk. That's the kind of play that breaks an opponent's spirit.
And let's give Jenkins his due. He understood the assignment. He knew the Pelicans live and die by Williamson's ability to get downhill and McCollum's perimeter shooting. The Grizzlies' defensive strategy was clear: make life hell for Zion in the paint and force McCollum into tough, contested jumpers. They did that by consistently rotating bigs like Adams and Brandon Clarke to challenge Williamson, and by having Dillon Brooks stick to McCollum like glue. Brooks, often criticized for his shot selection, was a defensive menace, holding McCollum to just 38% shooting from the field in the series.
On the flip side, Willie Green and the Pelicans just couldn't find an answer. They tried different defensive looks on Morant – switching, trapping, even putting Trey Murphy III on him for stretches – but nothing truly slowed him down. Their offense, which relies heavily on Williamson's force, became too predictable. When Zion was double-teamed, the kick-out passes often led to hesitant shots or turnovers, rather than crisp ball movement. In Game 5, they turned the ball over 17 times, which is just unacceptable against a team as opportunistic as Memphis.
What This Means for Both Teams
For the Grizzlies, this series win is huge. It solidifies their position as a genuine contender in the Western Conference. They showed they can win a physical, playoff-style series against a talented team. Morant's performance screams 'superstar,' and the depth of their roster, with guys like Bane hitting clutch threes and Jackson Jr. protecting the rim, makes them incredibly dangerous. This win gives them a massive confidence boost heading into the deeper stages of the NBA Hub tournament. They're proving that last year's early exit was a learning experience, not a ceiling.
The Pelicans, however, have some serious soul-searching to do. This 4-1 thrashing exposes some fundamental flaws. Their reliance on Zion Williamson is both their biggest strength and their biggest weakness. When he's stifled, their offense grinds to a halt. They need more consistent secondary scoring and better playmaking, especially when Morant is dominating the ball. McCollum, while a good scorer, isn't a primary playmaker, and Brandon Ingram's absence due to his hamstring injury was keenly felt, but even with him, the tactical issues against Memphis's defense were stark. This loss puts a serious dent in their playoff aspirations and raises questions about their ceiling as currently constructed. You can't just be 'good' in the West; you have to be exceptional.
Bold Prediction: The Grizzlies ride this momentum all the way to the NBA Hub Finals, and Ja Morant will average a triple-double in their next series.