Exploring the different playoff scenarios for the Memphis Grizzlies

Playoff Scenario One: Everything stays the same

This is an option that’s looking less and less likely, but it warrants being mentioned all the same. There is a chance that the league could simply have a shortened season, or possibly just jump to the playoffs right away. If that’s the case, then it’s likely that the NBA would hold just a typical playoff scenario.

Under this system, the Grizzlies as the eighth seed in the West would face the Los Angeles Lakers as the first seed.

Of course, this would all be up in the air depending on how the league wanted to end the season. The Grizzlies have only played 65 games and hold just a 3.5 game lead over the ninth and tenth seeds Portland Trail Blazers and New Orleans Pelicans respectively. If the league were to hold another 10-12 games, there’s a chance that Memphis falls outside of the playoffs entirely.

There’s also the question of what exact format you would use. If the league stuck with a traditional seven-game format, it’s unlikely that Memphis would advance past the first round. However, if the league experimented with a three game or even a single elimination style tournament, then Memphis odds increase significantly.