The Memphis Grizzlies could play themselves into a 6 seed in the West
The Memphis Grizzlies can sneak ahead of a couple of teams
This recent tragedy for a couple of teams isn’t anything to celebrate for the Memphis Grizzlies, but it’ll help them out down the road. As I’ve said, the Los Angeles Lakers will likely bounce back with the return of their stars. Assume the Portland Trail Blazers won’t see any significant decrease in productivity either.
This leaves the Denver Nuggets and the Dallas Mavericks, two teams that the Grizzlies are well within reach of.
The Nuggets, as mentioned, are dealing with a brutal injury to their point guard and the leader of their team in Jamal Murray. They still have an NBA MVP-caliber player in Nikola Jokic, but they’ll struggle without Murray. It’s unclear just how badly they’ll play, but they only hold a 6-game cushion on the Grizzlies.
This is a storyline to watch down the road, but there’s another one that’s happening right now. The Memphis Grizzlies could overtake the Dallas Mavericks. A game tonight could see them pull closer, while a telling stretch leading up to Jaren Jackson Jr.’s return will have huge implications on where this team sits in the NBA Playoff race.
Next. JJJ's return will break the Western Conference. dark
If the Nuggets suffer without Murray and if the Mavericks continue to underperform, the Grizzlies will be waiting to snatch up the 6th seed in the West. Don’t count out this young Memphis team to earn a secure playoff spot in 2021.