Into the Bears’ Den: Our ‘Hot Take’ NBA and Grizzlies predictions

Parker’s Grizz Prediction: The Grizzlies snag the 6-seed and make the WCF… And take it to seven games.

A lot of people may think my prediction is completely absurd, but let me explain:

For the Grizzlies, they could meet the Clippers and Spurs in the first two rounds. Both are winnable match-ups but still go in six or seven games. Against the Clippers, Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph’s newfound desire to shoot 3s pulls DeAndre Jordan out of the paint and opens that area for cutters like Tony Allen, Chandler Parsons and JaMychal Green. Gasol is one of the best high-post passers in basketball. If the Grizzlies could capitalize on this, they could take a playoff series against the Clippers.

Since the 2011 upset, the Spurs have had the Grizzlies’ number. This year, they could re-live some 2011 magic. Even though Kawhi Leonard will probably shut down Parsons, Mike Conley should have a field day against offensive-minded, aging point guard Tony Parker. In addition, Pau isn’t the defender that Tim Duncan was. Marc could find have a big series against his brother. What it’ll come down to is Mike Conley, Marc Gasol and their bench. If the players not guarded by Kawhi Leonard are on the A+ game, the Grizzlies take this one in 6.

Now, in the Western Conference Finals, the Grizzlies will face the buzzsaw known as the Golden State Warriors. However, they will be more tired than past postseasons. The Thunder and Jazz/Trail Blazers are tough mismatches for the Warriors. I say the Thunder take them to six games. The second round gets a little tricky. The Utah Jazz 3-out, 2-in offense doesn’t space the court much, but they will have some players supplying lockdown D. If the Warriors try Draymond Green on Derrick Favors or Rudy Gobert, he’ll get dunked on all night. Furthermore, the additions of George Hill, Boris Diaw and Joe Johnson should pay dividends for the Jazz with their playoff experience and versatility. In a small ball lineup, the Jazz could trot out Hill-Hood-Hayward-Johnson-Diaw, which could be a rough match-up for the “Death Lineup.” With the Portland Trail Blazers, you essentially have a weaker 2014-2015 “Golden State Warriors.” Dame Lillard and C.J. McCollum are their “Splash Brothers.” Mason Plumlee is Andrew Bogut. Evan Turner is Andre Iguodala. Al-Farouq Aminu is a poor man’s Green. Moe Harkless is Harrison Barnes. They already have former backup big man Festus Ezeli. Their ability to run up the score just as much as Golden State could favor them into stretching this into a 7-game series. 

Now for the Grizzlies: In this WCF, their shooters have to come to play. If they bring their “GNG” top-5 defense and combine that with more 3-point shooting, the Grizzlies will give the Warriors a difficult time before bowing out in Oracle Arena for Game 7.