Bold predictions for the outcome of every Memphis Grizzlies game in 2025

The NBA schedule release is the last huge event before training camp opens, so reactions are expected to occur. The Memphis Grizzlies are preparing to enter a new era with coach Tuomas Iisalo at the helm and are looking to get off to a quick start to next season. Below is a prediction of how they will fare in their first 31+ games (additional NBA Cup games to come later) of the schedule in the year 2025.

On their opening night, the Grizzlies are set to square off against the New Orleans Pelicans. Memphis shouldn’t have any issues winning this game, nor should they have any difficulty with the Miami Heat, who come to town two days later. Both of these are home games, and the Pelicans will be trying to figure out how to win with several new pieces on their roster.

The game against the Pacers will likely be competitive, but the Grizzlies should be able to outlast Indiana at home. Next up, Memphis takes a mini road trip to face the Warriors and Suns. The first road game of the season might not go in the Grizzlies’ favor, but they can redeem themselves in Phoenix, where the Suns are still adjusting to a new dynamic without Kevin Durant in the lineup. 

The next stretch of games is an absolute gauntlet, starting at home where the Grizzlies take on the Lakers. This game could go either way, but it might end up being Memphis’ first home loss of the year. The Grizzlies will be victorious in their next two games against the Raptors and Pistons, but then a very difficult stretch begins. Houston, Dallas, and Oklahoma City all come to town, and Memphis might go 1-for-3, with their only win coming against the Mavericks. 

Then the Grizzlies go on a four-game road trip to New York, Boston, Cleveland, and San Antonio, continuing this challenging stretch of the season. Memphis can win at Madison Square Garden in what will likely be a very competitive matchup, but the next two games will be just as tough. Defeating the Celtics again in Boston would be a statement, but on the second night of a back-to-back, it won’t be an easy task.

Memphis will lose that game and travel to Cleveland, where the Cavaliers hope to continue their dominance from last season. After a loss to Cleveland, the possible Zach Edey-less Grizzlies struggle to keep their energy up in San Antonio, where they drop a game to the Spurs.

Back to Grind City they go, but only for one game. Memphis will get a win in front of its home crowd against the Kings, giving them momentum to secure another victory on the road against the Mavericks. Then the Nuggets come to town, and after a competitive, back-and-forth battle, the energy at FedExForum powers the Grizzlies to a win before they take flight on yet another four-game road trip.

New Orleans, Los Angeles (Clippers), Sacramento, and San Antonio are on this road trip’s itinerary. Memphis starts the trip on a high note, as they take another game from the Pelicans. The Clippers, who had quite an offseason, will make it tough on the Grizzlies, and Memphis will likely drop one on the West Coast.

They’ll redeem themselves in Sacramento with a win (first in the state of California since January 2024) and also get the victory this time around in San Antonio, hopefully with Zach Edey in the standard rotation again. Back home, the Grizzlies are ready for payback against the Clippers and come out on top, and this still-fired-up Memphis team hands Portland a loss as well.

Due to the Grizzlies' 2-2 record in NBA Cup group play games (wins vs the Mavericks and Pelicans and losses vs the Lakers and the Clippers), they will likely receive two additional games against select opponents (one on the road and one at home) without qualifying for the Knockout Round. Those games will happen between December 11-15.

The Grizzlies’ next game against the Timberwolves at Target Center could go either way, but the Grizzlies leave Minneapolis with one more win and add to their winning streak in Washington, D.C., against the Wizards (pending regular-season game additions).

The final five games of the year are against the Thunder, Jazz, Bucks, Wizards, and 76ers. The toughest matchup will be against the Thunder, especially since it’s an away game. Good news for Memphis, though—the schedule for the rest of the calendar year will include several winnable games.

The Grizzlies will win in Utah and Washington. Although Antetokounmpo and the Bucks won’t make it easy for Memphis, they might lose against Milwaukee, but will close out 2025 on a strong note with a victory at home against Philadelphia. They will finish 2025 with a 21-10 record, not including their two additional regular-season add-in games.