Where Things Stood: Surprisingly well. The Grizzlies were a projected lottery team at the beginning of the season but a strong young core, led by the sensational rookie Ja Morant, managed to pull together a 32-33 record (8th seed in the West).
What’s Coming Up: The Grizzlies are three games away from falling out of the playoffs and will be facing both the current 9th (Portland Trail Blazers) and 10th (New Orleans Pelicans) seeds in their eight-game stretch to the playoffs. Additionally, the Grizzlies will be facing some of the league’s top tier teams in the playoff hunt which could hurt their chances of edging out the competition. With Justice Winslow now out for the season, the Grizzlies may lack the power needed to best their rough schedule. While the Grizzlies’ slim lead for the 8th seed bodes well for a playoff spot, their long term title chances look grim as they would likely face the Los Angeles Lakers in the first round.
Game 1: Portland Trail Blazers – The most pivotal matchup of the Grizz’s’ Orlando slate is also their first. The Portland Trail Blazers, currently the 9th seed in the west at 29-37, have a lot to prove in a very short time. The Blazers also have the offensive weapons in Damian Lillard, CJ McCollum, and Carmelo Anthony to potentially overwhelm the Grizzlies in scoring options. Portland’s frontcourt is also being revitalized with the return of Jusuf Nurkic and Zac Collins. This is also the first game of a hellacious stretch for the Blazers so a win against Memphis is essential for keeping their playoff hopes alive–but the same goes for a Memphis win.
Game 2: San Antonio Spurs – With the loss of LaMarcus Aldridge to shoulder surgery, the Spurs’ 22-year playoff streak could be coming to an end. A Grizzlies win would all but seal the coffin for the Spurs’ playoff hopes but if the younger Spurs can pull together a solid squad–all bets are off. The DeMar DeRozan era in San Antonio has yet to have shown any consistent wins so perhaps it is time for San Antonio to move forward with their younger pieces like DeJonte Murray and Lonnie Walker.
Game 3: New Orleans Pelicans – This is a must-win game for the Pelicans and they still pose a threat to the Grizzlies’ playoff hopes. Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, and Josh Hart are still reliable offensive weapons but Alvin Gentry will be lacking his number 1 option in Zion Williamson. What could have been the standout out playoff hunt matchup between Zion and Morant will likely be a relatively easy win for the Grizzlies.
Game 4: Utah Jazz – Potential locker room schisms aside, the Jazz have one of the best squads in the West. However, the Grizzlies’ Jaren Jackson Jr. could be a potential answer to Donovan Michell and Rudy Gobert. However, it is hard to see a scenario where the Grizzlies can overcome a hungry Jazz squad.
Game 5: Oklahoma City Thunder – If any team had a more stunning success story this season than the Grizzlies, it would be the Thunder. What was initially thought of as a move to rebuild has blossomed into a fruitful run. Thunder fans have a lot to be happy about moving into this bubble tournament, Chris Paul has significantly added to the development of the young pieces acquired from the Paul George trade and the Thunder are sitting comfortably moving into the playoffs. The momentum from the pre-COVID season will clash in this matchup but ultimately the odds lean toward the Thunder.
Game 6: Toronto Raptors – The reigning NBA champions are out to prove that they are still a top-level contender even without Kawhi Leonard. As of now, they have certainly shown that point but the Grizzlies could potentially disrupt this warpath with tenacious interior defense and reliable shooting from their wings. A victory over the Raptors would be a major statement by the Grizzlies moving into a potential playoff run.
Game 7: Milwaukee Bucks – If the Grizzlies can upset the Bucks this close to a potential playoff run, it could do wonders for locker room chemistry and momentum. Obviously, that will not be an easy task. The Bucks are one of the top title favorites this year and for good reason. Not only do they possess the league’s possible best player in Giannis Antetokounmpo but they have arguably the best lineup in the game. The Grizzlies would need a perfect night to overcome the monstrous lineup but in 2020 crazier things have happened.
Game 8: Boston Celtics – The Celtics are quietly building themselves up as a top-level contender in the league. Brad Stevens continues to show fluidity with his lineups which could expose weaknesses in Taylor Jenkin’s inexperienced team. The Celtics have one of the most fluid line ups in the league and have extreme depth through the wings. Gordon Hayward, Jayson Tatum, and Jaylen Brown alone are enough to cause serious defensive issues for the Grizzlies but the court vision of Kemba Walker could easily rip the Grizz to shreds. This will either be a demoralizing loss or a major victory moving into the playoffs.
Prediction: While the Grizzlies have a difficult eight-game stretch in front of them, nothing can be ruled out with this team. Ja Morant, the R.O.Y. frontrunner, has demonstrated his leadership skills along with being one of the most explosive young players in the league. His supporting squad of Jaren Jackson Jr. and Dillion Brooks is nothing to sleep on either. While I feel like the Grizzlies will be able to secure the 8th seed, it’s hard to imagine a scenario where the Grizz can escape the first round. However, Grizzlies fans have much to look forward to as the future for this franchise is starting to turn a corner.
