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Can the Memphis Grizzlies keep the 8th seed in the Western Conference?

By Lachlan Everett

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 20: Ja Morant #12 of the Memphis Grizzlies stands on the court during a Sacramento Kings free throw in the second half at Golden 1 Center on February 20, 2020 in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/Getty Images)
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 20: Ja Morant #12 of the Memphis Grizzlies stands on the court during a Sacramento Kings free throw in the second half at Golden 1 Center on February 20, 2020 in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/Getty Images) /
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Memphis Grizzlies Photo by Paul Bereswill/Getty Images
Memphis Grizzlies Photo by Paul Bereswill/Getty Images /

Will Memphis keep their 8th seed?

The Memphis Grizzlies are 3.0 games ahead of the Portland Trail Blazers. Even if Memphis goes 2-6 in the eight games all the other teams must go at least 5-3 to overtake the Grizzlies. If Memphis goes 3-5 the other teams must win 7 out of 8 games.

With a somewhat comfortable lead if Memphis split the games they’ll still make it and likely face the Los Angeles Lakers in the first round. To get the chance to face LeBron James and Anthony Davis, using this article’s justifications, I’ll now list a win and loss record for the eight games.

  • Portland Trail Blazers W
  • San Antonio Spurs W
  • New Orleans Pelicans W
  • Utah Jazz W
  • Oklahoma City Thunder L
  • Toronto Raptors L
  • Boston Celtics L
  • Milwaukee Bucks L

To summarise, Portland lacks the interior defense to defend the Grizzlies. The Spurs without LaMarcus Aldridge will struggle offensively and already struggle defensively.

The Pelicans without Zion are a mortal team and hopefully, the growing rivalry will push the Grizzlies over the Pelicans. The Jazz, who similarly to the Spurs without a star in Bogdanovic will struggle on offense but won’t lose a step on defense which is the biggest challenge in my win predictions.

The Thunder and Raptors have the same reasoning, they are both scrappy teams and with elite point guards in Chris Paul and Kyle Lowry who will probably outplay the rookie Ja Morant.

The Celtics have too much perimeter talent for the Grizzlies to guard and Marcus Smart has and will be a pest for Morant, and with Morant guarded by Smart, the Grizzlies don’t have a chance. Lastly, the Bucks are the Bucks, Giannis Antetokounmpo is a monster and there’s nothing the league can do about it, let alone Jaren Jackson Jr.

Memphis will make the Western Conference playoffs, they won’t win a game against the Lakers but Ja Morant will make it interesting.

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