The Memphis Grizzlies have fought back to the top

Photo by Edward A. Ornelas/Getty Images
Photo by Edward A. Ornelas/Getty Images

After a tough start to the post All-Star break stretch, the Memphis Grizzlies have won their last two, and are showing signs that they could hold on to the eighth seed.

The Memphis Grizzlies were having a tough time getting a foothold in the Western Conference following the All-Star break. They’d lost five games in a row, and were sliding closer and closer to dropping the eighth seed to the Portland Trail Blazers or the New Orleans Pelicans.

Then, Ja Morant saw people criticizing him on the internet, Memphis turned around and made a huge statement win over the Los Angeles Lakers, got another one over the Atlanta Hawks, and have regained a 3.5 game lead over the Trail Blazers for the eighth seed in the Western Conference.

One of the reasons that the Grizzlies have picked up these last couple of crucial wins is how much they’ve stepped up their game. Over the five game losing stretch, the Grizzlies averaged 108.0 points, 49.4 rebounds, 24.4 assists, and 4.2 blocks per game; all this while shooting 43.9 percent from the field, 31.9 percent from 3-point range, and 69.0 percent from the free throw line.

Predictably, the Grizzlies have increased their output in each of those categories. Over their two game winning streak, Memphis has averaged 116.0 points, 55.5 rebounds, 28.5 assists, and 6.0 blocks; while shooting 47.6 percent from the field, 38.1 percent from 3-point range, and 71.4 percent from the free throw line.

The Memphis Grizzlies have bolstered their play, and have gone a long ways towards securing an unexpected playoff run for a team who almost nobody expected could be in the playoffs.

If the Grizzlies are able to hold on, and gain a first round matchup with the Lakers, there’s going to be a lot of hope going into next season, and it may prove that the rebuilding process for the Grizzlies has worked a lot better than other teams historically.