Hoops Habit
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NBA Power Rankings Week 17: A new number one and a lot of injuries

By Corey Rausch

PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 14: Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers guards Kyrie Irving #11 of the Brooklyn Nets in the second quarter at the Wells Fargo Center on April 14, 2021 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 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 Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 14: Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers guards Kyrie Irving #11 of the Brooklyn Nets in the second quarter at the Wells Fargo Center on April 14, 2021 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 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 Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Justin Ford/Getty Images)
(Photo by Justin Ford/Getty Images) /

211. . 29-26. Previous: 12th. Memphis Grizzlies. 12. team

Last Week: Lost to Indiana Pacers 132-125, Beat Chicago Bulls 101-90, Lost to Dallas Mavericks 114-113, Beat Chicago Bulls 126-115, Beat Milwaukee Bucks 128-115

This Week: 4/19 at Denver Nuggets, 4/21 at LA Clippers, 4/23 at Portland Trail Blazers

The Memphis Grizzlies are quietly rolling towards ending their playoff drought, finishing the week with an impressive road win against the Milwaukee Bucks in the second game of a treacherous seven-game road trip. The Grizzlies currently sit as the eighth seed in the Western Conference and will need to bank as many wins as possible to make the postseason.

Continuing the confusing trend, Ja Morant was only the third-leading scorer on a Grizzlies team that is slowly improving on offense. The second-year guard averaged 16.2 points and 6.4 assists a night and was helped out by the plethora of role players on the roster to carry them to victories.

Jonas Valanciunas led the way again, averaging 22.4 points, 13.4 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game. He has quietly been one of the most effective big men in the league at scoring down low, improving the chances of the Grizzlies in the never-ending absence of Jaren Jackson Jr.

Dillon Brooks was also a solid scorer for the Grizzlies this week. Possibly the second most maligned Grizzly (behind only Grayson Allen), Brooks tends to be streaky. When he can average 19.6 points per game over the course of a week, everything fits better for the Grizzlies.