3 teams Grizzlies could look to sabotage during final stretch of 2023-24

With just 12 games remaining on the docket, the Memphis Grizzlies are nearing the end of what has been one of their more challenging seasons in recent memory.

From suspensions to key player injuries, Taylor Jenkins' club came across quite a few roadblocks throughout the campaign and, in turn, looks to be heading toward their first playoff-less finish in four years.

While some fans may wish that the season could already come to its bitter end, these next few weeks still present the Grizzlies with an opportunity to accomplish many things.

Teams Grizzlies could look to sabotage during final weeks of action

Though solidifying better odds to claim a top-flight lottery pick during this June's draft should be at the forefront of their mind, during this final stretch of the season Memphis will also have the opportunity to impact the fates of several teams

With this in mind, there are a few that they could realistically look to play the role of saboteur against.

3. Portland Trail Blazers

During these final 12 games, the Grizzlies could very realistically find themselves losing well over half of their outings, for eight of these matchups will see an opponent boasting winning records and who are in the running for a playoff berth.

Though certainly not an enjoyable hypothetical from a viewership perspective, what such a lowly stretch could do is help the club surpass the Portland Trail Blazers in the lottery odds department ahead of June's festivities.

As things currently stand, the Blazers reside in the 14 seed in the Western Conference standings with a record of 19-50. Memphis, who is resting soundly in the 13 seed, holds a four-game edge in the win-loss category.

What would bode well for the Grizzlies in this scenario is that Portland won their season series 3-1 which, though is often viewed as a positive, in a race for the lower record it ironically could be seen as a disadvantage.