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The short-handed Memphis Grizzlies battled.
For three quarters, their energy and intensity carried them through a close contest against the No. 1-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder. Eventually, OKC was able to put its foot on the gas pedal with swarming defense and an overload of talent.
A 26-3 run in the fourth quarter allowed the Thunder to cruise to a 124-105 victory inside the Paycom Center.
The chances of Memphis winning on Thursday night were slim. They were double-digit underdogs against a team that many feel is destined to come out of the Western Conference.
While Oklahoma City has wrapped up its positioning as the No. 1. seed, each remaining Grizzlies game carries large significance in their race to climb the standings.
Memphis is currently the No. 5 seed. Games against the current fourth and third seeds remain on the schedule.
Grizzlies coaches and players have said that their focus isn’t on seeding. Focusing on game-to-game improvement is understandable, but seeding will be important for Memphis and other Western Conference teams.
Getting to the No. 2 or No. 3 spot feels preferable. Memphis hasn’t shown the ability to beat OKC yet after losing four straight games, and a potential second or third seed will allow Memphis to avoid the Thunder until a potential Western Conference Finals appearance.
This sounds simple in theory, but it won’t be anywhere near easy.
The Grizzlies are currently 11-20 against teams with a record above .500. That is the worst win percentage of any Western Conference team in the top nine of the standings.
Memphis will play its next three games against teams above .500. One of those games will be against the Golden State Warriors, which is one of the teams lurking closely behind the Grizzlies.
A top-six seed is likely for the Grizzlies, but the next three games could result in Memphis sinking or swimming into the postseason.
Memphis (44-29) lost on Thursday, but so did the fourth-seeded Los Angeles Lakers. Both teams have the same record.
The good news for the Grizzlies is they’ll get their chance to surpass the Lakers in the standings soon. The two teams will face off on Saturday (7 p.m., FanDuel Sports Network) at FedExForum.
A win against the Lakers would tie the season series between the two foes. It’s important for Memphis to stay ahead of the Lakers in the win-loss column. If the two teams finish with the same record and Memphis wins Saturday to tie the season series, the next tiebreaker would be conference record, which is where the Lakers have a comfortable advantage.
Memphis is 26-20 against the west, while the Lakers have a 30-13 record against conference opponents.
Winning on Saturday will be pivotal in the Grizzlies’ attempt to rise in the standings.
If Memphis is to finish the season strong, Ja Morant’s availability will be of the utmost importance. Morant was playing his best basketball of the season before a hamstring injury.
Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins revealed on Thursday that Morant is “day-to-day” going forward from his hamstring injury.
Thursday’s loss to the Thunder was a prime example of why Memphis needs Morant. The Grizzlies looked lost in the fourth quarter. Memphis only scored 15 points in the fourth, and 10 of those were from Jaren Jackson Jr.
Despite Morant’s inconsistency this season, he has give Memphis a calmness in the fourth quarter when the tension rises.
Morant will need to show coaches and the training staff that he’s comfortable at getting to full speed before returning.
Damichael Cole is the Memphis Grizzlies beat writer for The Commercial Appeal. Contact Damichael at [email protected]. Follow Damichael on X, formerly known as Twitter, @DamichaelC.
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Ja Morant availability, game against Lakers loom large for Grizzlies
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For three quarters, their energy and intensity carried them through a close contest against the No. 1-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder. Eventually, OKC was able to put its foot on the gas pedal with swarming defense and an overload of talent.
A 26-3 run in the fourth quarter allowed the Thunder to cruise to a 124-105 victory inside the Paycom Center.
The chances of Memphis winning on Thursday night were slim. They were double-digit underdogs against a team that many feel is destined to come out of the Western Conference.
While Oklahoma City has wrapped up its positioning as the No. 1. seed, each remaining Grizzlies game carries large significance in their race to climb the standings.
Memphis is currently the No. 5 seed. Games against the current fourth and third seeds remain on the schedule.
Grizzlies coaches and players have said that their focus isn’t on seeding. Focusing on game-to-game improvement is understandable, but seeding will be important for Memphis and other Western Conference teams.
Getting to the No. 2 or No. 3 spot feels preferable. Memphis hasn’t shown the ability to beat OKC yet after losing four straight games, and a potential second or third seed will allow Memphis to avoid the Thunder until a potential Western Conference Finals appearance.
This sounds simple in theory, but it won’t be anywhere near easy.
The Grizzlies are currently 11-20 against teams with a record above .500. That is the worst win percentage of any Western Conference team in the top nine of the standings.
Memphis will play its next three games against teams above .500. One of those games will be against the Golden State Warriors, which is one of the teams lurking closely behind the Grizzlies.
A top-six seed is likely for the Grizzlies, but the next three games could result in Memphis sinking or swimming into the postseason.
Where Grizzlies stand
Memphis (44-29) lost on Thursday, but so did the fourth-seeded Los Angeles Lakers. Both teams have the same record.
The good news for the Grizzlies is they’ll get their chance to surpass the Lakers in the standings soon. The two teams will face off on Saturday (7 p.m., FanDuel Sports Network) at FedExForum.
A win against the Lakers would tie the season series between the two foes. It’s important for Memphis to stay ahead of the Lakers in the win-loss column. If the two teams finish with the same record and Memphis wins Saturday to tie the season series, the next tiebreaker would be conference record, which is where the Lakers have a comfortable advantage.
Memphis is 26-20 against the west, while the Lakers have a 30-13 record against conference opponents.
Winning on Saturday will be pivotal in the Grizzlies’ attempt to rise in the standings.
Where’s Ja Morant?
If Memphis is to finish the season strong, Ja Morant’s availability will be of the utmost importance. Morant was playing his best basketball of the season before a hamstring injury.
Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins revealed on Thursday that Morant is “day-to-day” going forward from his hamstring injury.
Thursday’s loss to the Thunder was a prime example of why Memphis needs Morant. The Grizzlies looked lost in the fourth quarter. Memphis only scored 15 points in the fourth, and 10 of those were from Jaren Jackson Jr.
Despite Morant’s inconsistency this season, he has give Memphis a calmness in the fourth quarter when the tension rises.
Morant will need to show coaches and the training staff that he’s comfortable at getting to full speed before returning.
Damichael Cole is the Memphis Grizzlies beat writer for The Commercial Appeal. Contact Damichael at [email protected]. Follow Damichael on X, formerly known as Twitter, @DamichaelC.
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Ja Morant availability, game against Lakers loom large for Grizzlies
Continue reading...
