The Memphis Grizzlies possess the third-best record in the Western Conference. Coincidently, the team’s 40-18 record is also the third-best in the entire NBA.
With a postseason birth pretty much a guarantee at this point, the focus shifts to playoff seeding. Even with the play-in tournament, capturing a higher seed in a conference can only benefit. For the Grizzlies, the ultimate goal involves reaching one of the top two seeds in the Western Conference. By doing so, they avoid likely first-round matchups against opponents who can potentially cause Memphis issues, such as the Mavericks, Nuggets, or Jazz.
Currently, Memphis sits two games behind the second-place Golden State Warriors and seven games behind the first-place Phoenix Suns. The question is whether or not the Grizzlies have what it takes to surpass either Golden State or Phoenix to get it done.
The Grizzlies Road Ahead
Overall, Memphis possesses a favorable schedule moving forward. Playing the Pelicans and Trail Blazers this week, the Grizzlies could enter the all-star break on a seven-game winning streak. Once games resume, the team faces a string of opponents they should be the favorite against.
Taking on the likes of the Bulls and Celtics won’t be a cakewalk for the Grizzlies, but they still serve as winnable games. Sprinkle in some games against the Spurs, Magic, Knicks, Rockets, Pelicans, Thunder, and Pacers, and Memphis should continue their winning ways through mid-March.
Ja Morant, Ziaire Williams and De'Anthony Melton showed some flare for the AT&T Fast Break of the week! pic.twitter.com/X1fyY9vGqV
— NBA (@NBA) February 9, 2022
Of course, the likelihood of Memphis winning every game on the schedule until late March is unrealistic. Still, they do not go up against a legitimate contender until March 26th against the Milwaukee Bucks. Then, they only have one game against the Suns and Warriors remaining while already finishing up their season series against other top teams like the Sixers and Heat.
Focussing on the remaining schedule, making a push for the top-two seeds appears realistic.
How About the Sun & Warriors?
With a 46-10 record and riding a five-game winning streak, the Phoenix Suns are the NBA’s cream of the crop. Even though plenty of games remain against some of the league’s top teams, it’s challenging to picture Phoenix not continuing their winning ways.
On the other hand, the Warriors appear a more likely candidate to swap places with Memphis. Winning seven of their last ten contests, Golden State sits two games ahead of the Grizzlies in the conference with a more challenging remaining schedule.
that behind the back move is special https://t.co/rcLZjlCINx pic.twitter.com/eIMWrddV7q
— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) February 15, 2022
Already suffering a decisive loss to the Clippers on Monday, the Warriors play the Nuggets before heading into the break. Then, they start back up against Portland before taking on Dallas twice with a matchup against Minnesota in between. After that, they have the Nuggets twice, the Lakers, and the Clippers on the docket before facing the Bucks.
Similar to Memphis, they have very winnable matchups ahead. However, it doesn’t appear like they have as many. Additionally, the Warriors still have to take on the Heat while the Grizzlies do not. Of course, Golden State is one of the league’s more dominant teams. Maintaining their success is not out of the cards. At the same time, opportunities for bumps in the road exist.
Verdict
Memphis’s hold of third in the West seems safe. If the Grizzlies maintain this level of success to finish out the season, it isn’t easy to imagine another team jumping ahead of them.
Similarly, picturing the Grizzlies surpassing the Warriors is difficult as well. Is there a chance? Of course, there is! It might not even be that shocking if it happens. Still, Golden State is an outstanding team that does not seem destined to fall off any time soon.
The safest bet is to assume the top three in the Western Conference stay the same. Yes, the Grizzlies would likely go up against a more challenging opponent as the third seed. Regardless, they would remain the favorite to move onto round two.
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