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NBA week 5 recap: Struggling favorites, Magic ball movement and more

By Michael Dugger

(Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images)
(Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)
(Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Grind City lives on

The Memphis Grizzlies are 11-5 and winners of five straight games. This shouldn’t surprise anybody, especially with Mike Conley Jr. and Marc Gasol being healthy. The way they are winning shouldn’t surprise anybody, as well.

The Grit-N-Grind Grizzlies made their name on being physical and stout on defense. In the highest scoring season in NBA history, the Grizzlies are suffocating on defense once again. They lead the league in points allowed per game (100.0) and have kept their opponent under 100 points in eight of 16 games.

Surrounding Conley and Gasol with all-around players that fit a role has always been a recipe for success and this year is no different. Shelvin Mack and Garrett Temple have been perfect complementary players. Kyle Anderson is bringing his San Antonio Spurs IQ to the team, and Jaren Jackson Jr. has been a top-five rookie in a loaded draft class.

This team can play any style of basketball and has the best defense in the league. As long as Conley and Gasol are healthy, the Memphis Grizzlies will be in the second-tier of Western Conference contenders.