Grizz, Wolves advance to summer time league finale
LAS VEGAS — Brandon Clarke made a dunk with 10.7 left in extra time and the Memphis Grizzlies beat the New Orleans Pelicans 88-86 on Sunday within the NBA Las Vegas Summer time League semifinals.
The Grizzlies will face the Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday evening within the title recreation. Minnesota beat Brooklyn 85-77 within the second semifinal.
Clarke had 23 factors — together with 4 in extra time — and 14 rebounds to guide Memphis. Tyler Harvey, whose Three-pointer tied it in regulation, added 13 factors, and Bruno Caboclo had 12.
“We had some moments within the recreation right this moment the place we could not rating, issues weren’t going the best means, we have been attempting (however) our legs weren’t there,” mentioned Memphis coach Taylor Jenkins, the one NBA head coach to additionally coach his summer time league group. “(Brandon) was simply being tremendous verbal with the group … I am actually happy with how he saved the group collectively. Clearly the performs he makes down the stretch are very spectacular.”
Clarke, who was taken with the 21st choose within the draft through a commerce with the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder, wasn’t in a position to take part with the Grizzlies till the NBA cleared the deal and it turned official July 6. In 4 video games, he is averaging 12.5 factors and seven.Three rebounds.
“It is just about getting off all that rust I form of had on me,” Clarke mentioned. “It was powerful at first as a result of I could not actually do a lot with the group. Each time that I play basketball I wish to win. I feel that all of us simply form of really feel that as a group. Although this isn’t like an actual NBA event versus the massive NBA dudes, we additionally wish to win.”
Trevon Bluiett led the Pelicans with 16 factors. Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Marcos Louzada Silva every had 14 and Kenrich Williams added 10.
New Orleans reached the ultimate 4 regardless of lacking No. 1 general choose Zion Williamson, who took a knee-to-knee hit within the second quarter of the group’s first recreation on opening evening and was shut down for the rest of the league.
“We began this summer time league off being about Zion Williamson; as soon as he was out, then it turned one thing completely different,” New Orleans summer time league coach Fred Vinson mentioned. “This group actually bonded collectively. They supported one another. Guys who have been enjoying on the ground, guys who weren’t enjoying on the ground, they supported one another. I needed these guys to grow to be a group.”
TIMBERWOLVES 85, NETS 77
Naz Reid scored 20 factors in 19 minutes in Minnesota’s victory over Brooklyn.
“The aim since we even obtained right here, attempting to win every little thing,” Reid mentioned. “We knew it wasn’t going to be simple, however we positively have been in a position to take over this previous week. I simply wish to proceed that tomorrow.”
Jordan McLaughlin added 12 factors, and Mitchell Creek had 11 for Minnesota, the one undefeated group at 6-Zero.
“It is all credit score to the gamers, and the way they compete to date,” Minnesota coach Pablo Prigioni mentioned. “As coaches, we wish to assist them to grow to be a championship group. That is summer time league, however on the finish of the day 32 groups present up in Vegas, solely two (can) compete for the championship.”
Jarrett Allen led Brooklyn with 15 factors and 14 rebounds in 20 minutes.