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

2. Houston Rockets

As noted in the previous slide, the Memphis Grizzlies have a rather challenging end-of-season schedule, as they're playing several opponents who are still in the hunt for playoff positioning.

Though the team's losses throughout the season and the ones they could see moving forward could actually end up benefiting them when it comes to draft positioning, they simultaneously could serve as a major blow to opposing teams relying on coach Jenkins and company to beat certain clubs that they hope to see falter for their own gains.

One organization, in particular, that seems to fit this bill is the Houston Rockets, who, at 33-35, are three-wins behind the Golden State Warriors and four behind the Los Angeles Lakers for the final two Play-In Tournament spots.

Considering their splashy offseason acquisitions of All-Star Fred VanVleet and former Grizzlies wing Dillon Brooks, coupled with the fact that they don't hold the rights to their own 2024 draft pick, the Rockets are a team that will be fighting for a playoff berth until they are officially eliminated from doing so.

While they may not be playing them at any point between now and year's end, Memphis could still have a say in Houston's season outcome because of the specific teams they will be squaring off against.

Interestingly enough, during this final stretch run the Grizzlies will be facing off against the Lakers on two separate occasions, with their first coming on March 27.

Because Memphis was blown out by 27 points the last time they squared off without the likes of Ja Morant in tow, this along with their current four-game losing streak seems to suggest that another major loss could soon be on the horizon.

Should this happen, and then the Lakers go on to win a few others during their own final 13-game stretch that includes another matchup against Jaren Jackson and company on April 12, it could all but solidify their claim for a top-10 finish in the Western Conference standings which, subsequently, could put a nail in the coffin for Houston's postseason hopes.

The satisfaction fans would feel from this Grizzlies team playing a role in ending the Rockets' season short after the smack talk Brooks partook in could prove to be worth the losses.