Worst first-round opponent for each NBA Western Conference playoff team
Memphis Grizzlies: Los Angeles Lakers
Seven games from the No. 7 seed, the only other realistic alternative for the Memphis Grizzlies is to miss the playoffs altogether. So, a young team exceeding expectations will take what it can get. That doesn’t make a first-round matchup with the Los Angeles Lakers any easier to stomach.
Ja Morant has torched the Lakers all season long, to the tune of 21.5 points per game on a true shooting percentage of 62.2 along with 6.3 assists per game. The absence of Avery Bradley, LA’s go-to point guard defender, opens the door for further heights to be reached for the Rookie of the Year favorite.
Morant can do as he pleases, but that can’t make up for the areas Memphis lacks against one of the league’s best teams lead by its most dynamic duo.
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The Grizzlies scored only 102.3 points per game in their four meetings against LA this season, going 1-3. Their lone victory required one of Morant’s best games in his short career — 27 points and a career-high 14 assists — with an off night from LeBron James and Anthony Davis, who went for 19 and 15, respectively.
At a time in his career where every minute of rest carries immense value, LeBron has further recognized the importance of taking care of postseason business. A concerted effort to sweep vulnerable opponents is obvious, desperately seeking as many off days as he can find.
After an extended rest period having not seen playoff basketball in over two years, expect James to come out viciously swinging to set the necessary tone for a championship hopeful. All Memphis can hope is that they don’t feel too much of that brute force while absorbing everything they can.