Memphis Grizzlies continue to stay in top 10 in power rankings

LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 4: Tyreke Evans
LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 4: Tyreke Evans /
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Despite losses to the Dallas Mavericks, Charlotte Hornets, Orlando Magic, and the Los Angeles Lakers, the Memphis Grizzlies still continue to get recognized.

In each one of the Memphis Grizzlies’ four losses, there was a play or two in them that could’ve changed the outcome — which would result in the league’s best record. Sports Illustrated released their weekly power ranking and a response for each team. SI.com was very generous to the Grizzlies this time, giving them the eighth spot in the list of teams:

"Tyreke Evans has been a pleasant surprise this season, and nearly catapulted Memphis to comeback wins twice this week. They weren’t to be, though, and things only get tougher from here with Portland, Houston and Milwaukee waiting this week."

The Grizzlies are currently on a five-game road trip, and they’re 1-1 in their first two games. A win against the — at the time — first place Los Angeles Clippers was a great way to start the road trip. Then, 24 hours after that big win, in the same building, they fell to the Los Angeles Lakers after a fourth-quarter rally. It’s not the most ideal situation for the Grizzlies, but the team will get the Portland Trailblazers on Tuesday night. Then have four days off before heading to Houston to take on the Rockets on Saturday. During that four-day break, the Grizzlies will hold a few practices back in Memphis to clean some things up.

Following those practices, the Grizzlies will have two big games to finish up a huge road trip to start the season. The first game against Rockets in their house-that’ll be tough.

The three games this week against Portland and Houston will ultimately define a team that left for a road trip a week ago in turmoil, and what team we will get the rest of this season. Also, these next two games would be great for advancing in SI’s weekly power rankings.

Next: Tyreke Evans has been offseason's biggest bargain

Other rankings:

NBA.com: 5th

ESPN: 5th