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Grizzlies’ best shot for Western Conference Finals

By Jerrod Smith

May 5, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Mike Conley (11) adjusts his mask during the first quarter in game two of the second round of the NBA Playoffs against the Golden State Warriors at Oracle Arena. The Grizzlies defeated the Warriors 97-90. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
May 5, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Mike Conley (11) adjusts his mask during the first quarter in game two of the second round of the NBA Playoffs against the Golden State Warriors at Oracle Arena. The Grizzlies defeated the Warriors 97-90. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 21, 2017; Memphis, TN, USA; Memphis Grizzlies forward Chandler Parsons (25) handles the ball against Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) during the first half at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 21, 2017; Memphis, TN, USA; Memphis Grizzlies forward Chandler Parsons (25) handles the ball against Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) during the first half at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports /

6th seed?

If the Grizzlies end up grabbing the sixth seed, they’ll probably play the Houston Rockets.

Playing the Rockets first round wouldn’t be a good matchup for the Grizzlies. The Rockets don’t have a lot of ways to score the basketball. They either score by James Harden getting to the free throw line, or chunking up three-pointers the whole game.

But it works.

In three games combined against the Grizzlies, the Rockets have chucked up 135 three-pointers.

The Rockets style of play may not transition into the playoffs. The pace of the game is much slower compared to the regular season. This would be the great for the Grizzlies, considering that they already play at a snail-like pace.

So, either the Rockets are going to be completely on fire from downtown, or they may struggle to score due to the Grizzlies’ tenacious defense.

So one has to give if these two teams end up playing in the first round.

For the Grizzlies, they need to put Tony Allen on James Harden and make sure his scoring is limited. They also need to guard the three-point line well to prevent a nuclear explosion of triples.

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