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.
Memphis Grizzlies December 2022 prediction: 9-5 (24-11 Overall)
Notable Games:
- Dec. 15 vs. Milwaukee. – Loss
- Dec. 17 at Oklahoma City – Win
- Dec. 20 at Denver – Loss
- Dec. 23 at Phoenix – Loss
- Dec. 25 at Golden State – Win
- Dec. 27 vs. Phoenix – Win
Memphis has a tough December schedule, 10 of their 14 games are against teams who made the playoffs last year. The most shocking stretch of games is the one listed above. Just after facing the 2021 NBA Champions, they will then go on a 4 game road trip against some of the toughest teams in the league, including a Christmas day game against Golden State.
Memphis Grizzlies January 2023 prediction: 10-5 (34-16 Overall)
Notable Games:
- Jan. 20 at Lakers – Loss
- Jan. 22 at Phoenix – Loss
- Jan. 23 at Sacramento – Win
- Jan. 25 at Golden State – Loss
- Jan. 27 at Minnesota – Loss
January will prove to be a pivotal part of Memphis’ season. The Grizzlies have a five-game road trip (as listed above) against some strong opponents. This will be an exhausting stretch of games for a Memphis team that could potentially not have Jaren Jackson Jr. back quite yet. Memphis will need to stay strong and rely on each other to make it through a tough month.
Memphis Grizzlies February 2023 prediction: 9-1 (43-17 Overall)
Notable Games:
- Feb. 10 vs. Minnesota – Win
- Feb. 12 at Boston – Win
- Feb. 23 at Philadelphia – Loss
- Feb. 25 vs. Denver – Win
The All-Star break will help out the Grizzlies in some much-needed time for Jaren Jackson to come back in full stride. Things should pick up for the Grizzlies even with tougher matchups. Last year Memphis went on a roll during the late part of the season as they made their end-of-season push, I see them doing that again this year as well.
Bonus Point: Ja should be an All-Star starter again this year, and we could potentially see Desmond Bane have an All-Star season this year as well, being one of the top three-point shooters in the league.
Memphis Grizzlies March 2023 prediction: 11-6 (54-23 Overall)
Notable Games:
- All of them
Our own Reed Chapman wrote about how March could make or break the Grizzlies. I agree that this could make or break them having 17 games in that month. I think they will continue with the momentum from a big February into March. This will lock them in as one of the top teams in the League setting themselves up for another deep playoff run.
Memphis Grizzlies April 2023 prediction: 3-2 (57-24 Overall)
Notable Games:
- April 7 at Milwaukee – Loss
As the season comes to a close and Memphis begins resting their stars for a deep playoff run, the Grizzlies will likely drop some games. However, we should see some much-needed playing time from some of our bench players and rookies during this month as well. Which should make for some fun basketball.
Overall Prediction from the Beale Street Bears team
Noah Hancock: 57-24
Jacob Ellerbee: 47-35
Reed Chapman: 50-32
Ryan Daugherty: 45-37
Memphis should be able, even with Jaren Jackson Jr. out, to continue to make their mark in NBA history as a dominant franchise. The time for Memphis has come and it will be a fun ride, to say the least.