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NBA: Predictions For The Southwest Division In 2016-17

By Carter Johnson

Dec 3, 2015; Memphis, TN, USA; Memphis Grizzlies forward Zach Randolph (50) drives against San Antonio Spurs forward LaMarcus Aldridge (12) at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 3, 2015; Memphis, TN, USA; Memphis Grizzlies forward Zach Randolph (50) drives against San Antonio Spurs forward LaMarcus Aldridge (12) at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports /
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Memphis Grizzlies
Dec 11, 2015; Memphis, TN, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Mike Conley (11) and center Marc Gasol (33) look on during the second half against the Charlotte Hornets at FedExForum. The Hornets won 123-99. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Memphis Grizzlies

2015-16 Record: 42-40 (T-2nd in Southwest Division) 

2016-17 Record: 53-29 (2nd in Southwest Division) 

The Memphis Grizzlies suffered a worst-case scenario last season when everybody who was anybody on the team dealt with injuries and 22 different players started for Memphis last season.

With franchise point guard Mike Conley Jr. set to hit free agency this summer, the team was even more nervous that the Grit-N-Grind era could essentially be over.

Luckily for them, the Grizzlies not only came out of this summer with Conley still in tow but also having added a versatile two-way wing in Chandler Parsons.

Now the Grizzlies have the most solid starting five they’ve had in some time, with Parsons adding a perimeter shooting threat, secondary ballhandler and decent perimeter defender to a team that was the 11th best scoring defense (101.3 points allowed per game) and second worst three-point shooting team (33.1 percent from deep) in the NBA last season.

Memphis also added some solid young talent to an already thorough bench by drafting Vanderbilt point guard Wade Baldwin IV and Michigan State forward Deyonta Davis, and signing athletic wing James Ennis and sharpshooter Troy Daniels.

If their big three of Conley, Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph can remain healthy, this Grizzlies team could be a serious threat to upset the balance of power in the Western Conference playoff picture next season.

The Grizzlies are once again a solid team from top to bottom and should return to the status of a 50+ win team in 2016-17.

Next: No. 1