Posted on: December 15, 2022, 01:14h.
Final up to date on: December 15, 2022, 02:09h.
The Memphis Grizzlies have the longest energetic profitable streak within the NBA with six consecutive victories. They’re now tied with the New Orleans Pelicans for the perfect file within the Western Convention at 18-9.
Memphis Grizzlies level guard Ja Morant celebrates a latest victory towards the Miami Warmth at FedEx Discussion board in Memphis, Tenn. (Picture: AP)
The Grizzlies survived a tough patch in mid-November once they went 1-4 and slipped to 10-8. Since that low level, the Grizzlies went 8-1, together with a six-game profitable streak.
Final season, the Grizzlies have been the shock staff within the Western Convention, securing the #2 playoff seed with a 56-26 file. They have been eradicated within the Western Convention semifinals by the #3 Golden State Warriors. Ja Morant injured his knee in Recreation 3. However even with out Morant, the Warriors wanted six video games to lastly knock out the younger Grizzlies.
After gaining much-needed playoff expertise, followers anticipate the Grizzlies to make a deep postseason run this yr. The Grizzlies are +1600 odds to win the 2022-23 NBA championship because the eighth-highest staff on DraftKings’ futures board.
The Grizzlies are +700 odds to win the Western Convention and safe a visit to the 2023 NBA Finals. They’re the fifth staff on the board, regardless that they’re tied for the perfect file within the convention.
The Grizzlies and Pelicans are in a good two-team race to win the Southwest Division. The Grizzlies are a slight favourite at +105 odds to win back-to-back divisional titles whereas the Pelicans are +115. The Dallas Mavericks (14-14) loom at +600 odds to win a second Southwest title within the final three seasons.
Griz Not at Full Energy … But
Morant has been getting higher each season for the reason that Grizzlies chosen him with the #2 general select of Murray State within the 2019 NBA Draft. Now in his fourth yr within the NBA, Morant averages a formidable 27.7 factors, 7.8 assists, 6.6 rebounds, and 1.2 assists per sport. He’s hitting profession highs in all 4 statistical classes, and he’s solely 23 years outdated.
Morant stepped up when Desmond Bane went down with a toe damage. Bane, the Grizzlies’ second-best scorer averaging 24.7 ppg, missed the final 14 video games. The Grizzlies thought he’d return in two weeks, however it’s been a month since he final suited up. Bane has finished some mild drills during the last week, however he’s but to be cleared for full-contact follow.
With out Bane, the Grizzlies dropped 4 out of 5 video games earlier than they received again on monitor by profitable eight out of their final 9 video games. Massive man Jaren Jackson, Jr. missed the beginning of the season whereas recovering from a fractured foot. He returned to the beginning lineup simply as Bane received injured. As quickly as Jackson discovered his groove, the Grizzlies began profitable once more.
The Grizzlies are anxiously awaiting for Bane to return as a result of it should mark the primary time this season they’ve their staff again at full energy.
Within the meantime, backup guard Tyus Jones performed some large minutes for the Grizzlies, changing Bane within the beginning 5. Jones led the Grizzlies to a 25-point blowout victory towards the Hawks the opposite night time to assist prolong their profitable streak to 6 in a row. Morant didn’t play whereas he nursed a minor thigh damage, however Jones led the Grizzlies with 22 factors and 11 assists.
Greek Freak, 4-Recreation Highway Journey, Warriors
The Grizzlies might be examined tonight once they host the Milwaukee Bucks, who’ve the second-best file within the NBA at 20-7. The Grizzlies are a -2 favourite on the FedEx Discussion board towards the visiting Bucks. The matchup between Ja Morant and Giannis “Greek Freak” Antetokounmpo may very well be a glimpse of the 2023 NBA Finals.
The Boston Celtics have the perfect file within the NBA with a 22-7 file, and the Bucks are the second-best staff within the league. The Celtics and Bucks are the highest two groups within the Japanese Convention, and each characterize the final two Japanese Convention champions.
The Grizzlies embark on a four-game street journey this weekend, with 4 robust matchups towards the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder, Denver Nuggets, Phoenix Suns, and Golden State Warriors.
The Warriors eradicated the Grizzles from final season’s playoffs. NBA executives took be aware of that budding rivalry, which is why these two groups are the primetime sport on Christmas.
Grizzlies followers consider their staff would have crushed the Warriors and superior to the 2022 Western Convention Finals if Morant hadn’t injured his knee early within the collection. The Warriors’ Jordan Poole inadvertently grabbed Morant’s leg throughout a free ball in Recreation 3, which led to Morant lacking the rest of the collection with a sprained knee. Followers consider the soiled play precipitated the damage. Replays indicated Morant injured his knee earlier within the sport.
The Grizzlies have an opportunity to enact revenge towards the Warriors on Christmas throughout this new feisty rivalry.
