NBA February Prediction: The Memphis Grizzlies are here to stay
After a slow start that was largely caused by Ja Morant’s injury, the Grizzlies are rolling. Well, that is when their games aren’t postponed by NBA health and safety protocols. And the best part about it is that they are winning the way they’ve always won in Memphis – defense.
Memphis has always been an island of misfit toys. It used to be Mike Conley leading Tony Allen, Zach Randolph, and Marc Gasol. Now it’s Ja Morant leading guys like Jonas Valanciunas, Dillon Brooks, and Kyle Anderson.
They are odd. They smother teams with the third-most efficient defense in the NBA while also being home to the 23rd best offense in the league that can rarely generate a good shot if Morant isn’t on the floor.
But opponents don’t like playing against the Grizzlies and I don’t blame them. Would you be fired up to go play in Memphis on a Tuesday night in front of no fans and get harassed for 48 minutes by a team with the most “where did that guy play in college?” players in the NBA.
Hustle plays and a can-do attitude won’t take them on any deep postseason runs, but their inclusion in the play-in game last year was no fluke and they’ll be in the mix once again this year, despite their flaws.