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Memphis Grizzlies: First half 2020-21 NBA schedule takeaways

By Josh Mullenix

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 20: Ja Morant #12 of the Memphis Grizzlies lines up for a Sacramento Kings free throw during the second half at Golden 1 Center on February 20, 2020 in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/Getty Images)
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 20: Ja Morant #12 of the Memphis Grizzlies lines up for a Sacramento Kings free throw during the second half at Golden 1 Center on February 20, 2020 in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/Getty Images) /
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LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA – AUGUST 02: Kyle Anderson #1 dribbles controls the ball against Keldon Johnson #3 of the San Antonio Spurs at Visa Athletic Center at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 2, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. (Photo by Ashley Landis-Pool/Getty Images)
LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA – AUGUST 02: Kyle Anderson #1 dribbles controls the ball against Keldon Johnson #3 of the San Antonio Spurs at Visa Athletic Center at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 2, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. (Photo by Ashley Landis-Pool/Getty Images) /

3. The start is pretty brutal

If you were looking forward to a crazy start to the Grizzlies season, you might want to curb your expectations because the top of the schedule is not easy.

In the first seven games, Memphis plays the new and improved Atlanta Hawks, the Celtics, Nets and the Lakers twice. Sandwiched in between those three teams is a game against LaMelo Ball, Gordon Hayward and the Charlotte Hornets.

Dec. 23 – vs. San Antonio
Dec. 26 – vs. Atlanta
Dec. 28 – @ Brooklyn
Dec. 30 – @ Boston
Jan. 1 – @ Charlotte
Jan. 3 – vs. LA Lakers
Jan. 5 – vs. LA Lakers

Memphis plays Brooklyn twice before MLK day, one at the Forum, one at the Barclays Center. They travel to Minnesota to play rookie Anthony Edwards, the No. 1 overall pick, and the Timberwolves that also feature D’Angelo Russell and Karl Anthony-Towns. Their 14th game of the season is against Phoenix on MLK Day, there are only five games in that stretch that right now you feel good about the Grizzlies winning. They could finish better than 5-9 in that stretch, but seven games in that stretch against the Lakers, Brooklyn, Boston, Philly and Phoenix is a tough way to begin the season.

After MLK Day, the schedule lightens up with a stretch of games against Sacramento, San Antonio and Houston, but Memphis is going to have to come out of the gates ready to go because the competition isn’t going to let them ease into it.

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