The Memphis Grizzlies shocked the NBA last season, finishing with the second-best record in the league (56-26), outshining many pre-season takes, predictions, and opinions.
A team once thought to be in the early stages of a massive rebuild, according to many media outlets, now finds itself as a bonafide powerhouse. The biggest question surrounding the Grizzlies’ outlook on the year is pondering whether 2021-22 was a cinderella year or is it the new normal for the young energetic team.
Now that the Grizzlies’ full schedule is out, it is time for us to break down the season and predict what their record might be month by month.
As a bonus, I’ve included overall record predictions from several contributors here at Beale Street Bears, which can be found at the end of this article.
Will the Memphis Grizzlies improve their record next season?
Let’s take a look at the first month of the 2022-23 regular season.
Memphis Grizzlies October 2022 Prediction: 5-2 (5-2 Overall)
Notable October Games:
- Oct. 19 vs. New York – Win
- Oct. 22 at Dallas – Loss
Memphis will still be without Jaren Jackson Jr. at the beginning of the year. However, Memphis’ depth chart runs deep.
We have seen role-players step up when key players are out. I also think, because there aren’t too many new players, barring some rookies, Memphis is in a good spot chemistry-wise, which will help them in the early parts of the season.
Most teams are learning playbooks and new teammates’ tendencies in the early parts of the season. Memphis won’t have that much of an issue when it comes to that.
Memphis Grizzlies November 2022 prediction: 10-4 (15-6 Overall)
Notable Games:
- Nov. 7 vs. Boston – Loss
- Nov. 11 vs. Minnesota – Win
- Nov. 30 at Minnesota – Loss
Memphis’ November schedule should be a good one for them as only 6 of their 14 games are against teams who made the playoffs last year (New Orleans twice; Minnesota twice; Brooklyn once; Boston once).
They also are only playing one back-to-back: Nov. 6th vs. Washington and Nov. 7th vs. Boston.
Last year Memphis went 7-7 in the last game of back-to-back games. I think they are going to catch the short end of the stick getting Boston at the end of this no-rest play.
Memphis also sees a two-game series this month against newly formed “rivals” (if you would call it that, which I do) in Minnesota. Not only was this matchup fun and challenging all during the regular season last year and in the playoffs, but Minnesota has also newly acquired Rudy Gobert at the center position and former Grizzly Kyle Anderson as well. This will be a tough series for Memphis, but ultimately, I see Memphis splitting this one.