Bold prediction No. 2: The Memphis Grizzlies will play like the underdogs
My second prediction for this series is that even though the Memphis Grizzlies are the favorites and the 2nd seed in the West, I believe they’re going to play as more of the underdog. And it could end up hurting them in the long run. On one hand, it does make sense. The media is going to downplay the Grizzlies and report on this series as if the Lakers are the favorites and that they should win.
However, this is a Grizzlies team that needs to fight that narrative back and play from a level of victory and not defeat. And we’re going to find out if this team has that within them. At least for me, I believe they’re that locker room presence away from that. Dillon Brooks may believe he can be that player and presence for the Grizzlies, but I’m not sure he is. Maybe he’ll prove that in this series.
The Grizzlies are going to embrace the “underdog” role from the first tip. And I think this series will be a disaster for them if that ends up being true. Memphis needs not be moved by the name in front of the Lakers jersey in this series. I’m not sure if they have that ability just yet.