Memphis Grizzlies: Brutal remaining schedule looming large

After losing their last three games straight, the Memphis Grizzlies are losing their grip on the 8-seed, and it will only get more difficult to hang on.

With six teams in contention for the Western Conference’s eighth and final playoff spot, everyone speculated from the beginning that it would be a fight to the finish. The Memphis Grizzlies seemed like the most likely earn the honors, because aside from being the 8-seed at the time, they also had a 3.5 game lead over the next best team.

However, in their first three games in the NBA’s restart, the Grizzlies racked up three straight losses against beatable opponents. To make matters worse for themselves, those three losses came against the Portland Trail Blazers, San Antonio Spurs, and the New Orleans Pelicans, all of which are also battling for the Western Conference’s 8-seed.

More from Hoops Habit

• 7 Players the Miami Heat might replace Herro with by the trade deadline
• Meet Cooper Flagg: The best American prospect since LeBron James
• Are the Miami Heat laying the groundwork for their next super team?
• Sophomore Jump: 5 second-year NBA players bound to breakout
• NBA Trades: The Lakers bolster their frontcourt in this deal with the Pacers

Memphis’ three straight losses have allowed their opponents to gain some traction in the race for eight, and their schedule only becomes more challenging. While their first three games in the bubble came against teams with a losing record, their final five will come against playoff contenders and certified powerhouses. In their next two upcoming matchups, the Grizzlies will take on the Utah Jazz, followed by the Oklahoma City Thunder.

While not solidified championship contenders, the Utah Jazz and Oklahoma City Thunder are postseason locks and genuine threats to the Grizzlies. With their ample amounts of experience, the young Grizzlies find themselves at a disadvantage, as seen in their collapse against the Portland Trail Blazers. Still, Memphis has beaten both of these squads this season, going 1-2 against Utah and splitting the season series 1-1 with Oklahoma City. If they are going to pick up a win within the NBA’s eight seeding games, those games might be their best opportunity considering what follows.

In their final three games, the Memphis Grizzlies will take on the top three seeds in the Eastern Conference in the Toronto Raptors, Boston Celtics, and Milwaukee Bucks. That is a brutal three-game stretch for any team in the league, let alone one of the youngest and most inexperienced rosters in the association.

Although Memphis rarely saw any action against these teams in the regular season, their stature among the Eastern Conference’s best speaks for itself. The game against Toronto will be the first time they face off this season, while the games against Milwaukee and Boston will be the second meetings, Memphis previously losing their first against each.

Taking all five of their remaining games into account, the odds are currently not in Memphis’ favor to retain their playoff spot, especially after dropping three straight. With Portland, San Antonio, Phoenix, and New Orleans drawing closer to the Grizzlies in the standings, Memphis could be out of the driver’s seast in the blink of an eye.

The Memphis Grizzlies are currently hanging onto the 8-seed by a thread, but with this vicious schedule ahead, it might take far more than a miracle for them to sustain it. If they are within four games of the 8-seed and find themselves in the 9-seed, Memphis will get the opportunity to earn the final playoff spot determined by a play-in game. However, as reassuring as that sounds, the Grizzlies will undoubtedly be put to the test within the coming days with a gruesome stretch of games.