Dec 19, 2014; Memphis, TN, USA; Chicago Bulls center Joakim Noah (13) guards Memphis Grizzlies forward Zach Randolph (50) at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports
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Memphis Grizzlies (40-14)
Last week: 1-0
Last rank: 2
Somehow, if the Grizzlies are going to go far in the Western Conference playoffs, I honestly believe that this team is going to have to avoid the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first round, no matter how knee-jerk that may sound at the moment.
Memphis and the Thunder have had their fair share of battles in the NBA playoffs during the last handful of years, although there’s something about this year’s Thunder team – especially the way they’ve been playing of late — and as long as they can remain healthy, that instills fear in my prediction of the Grizzlies making the NBA finals.
Next: Golden State Warriors