Memphis Grizzlies: 5 takeaways from first loss of the season

No. 4: Same year, same Grizzlies

Don’t let a 3-0 start with wins over the Warriors and Rockets fool you.

This game was basically a repeat from last season.

More from Grizzlies News

• Dillon Brooks speaks out after beating former Grizzlies teammate in World Cup
• Jaren Jackson Jr. puts ex-Grizzlies teammate on notice
• 3 players Grizzlies would consider trading Ja Morant for
• Grizzlies star Jaren Jackson Jr. put on blast following FIBA elimination
• Ex-Grizzlies guard signs with title favorite, joins forces with 6-time All-Star

For every 20-point blowout win over the Warriors, there’s a loss to the Brooklyn Nets at home. Wins over the Rockets, Clippers and Warriors on the road? Cool, there are also losses to the Magic, Kings and Lakers on the road. It was awesome that they went 9-2 without Mike Conley last year, but they also went on a five-game losing streak — with a complete roster — where they lost every contest by double-digits.

The direct relationship between the opposition’s spot in the standings and the Grizzlies’ performance made the difference between getting home-court in the first round and getting the seventh seed.

With a deeper Western Conference, they can’t experience a relapse in this department. If you experience similar patterns this season, the difference will be between making the playoffs and participating in the draft lottery.

Winning games over elite talent is fun, but there’s an equal amount of frustration when they lose to inferior teams.