OKC Thunder: Dissecting 16 playoff seeds and 4 WC team records

Memphis Grizzlies:

• 65 games played ( 32-33)
• Record versus seeded teams: 32 occasions (10-22)
• Record versus lottery teams: 33 occasions (22-11)
• Home record (18-15)
• Road record: (14-18)
• Back to back sets: 10 played (10-10)
  • one set with both teams seeded (0-2)
  • eight with one seed/one lottery seed (9-7)
  • one with both teams in the lottery (1-1)

The poor Grizzlies must feel like the last kid picked to play in the schoolyard. Numerous analysts, writers, and fans are all clamoring for this play-in tournament seemingly with the thought one of those four teams would capture the eighth seed.  The main reason is many want to see Zion Williamson in the playoffs.  Ja Morant should also feel slighted given the rookie season he’s delivered and the fact this Grizzlies squad has been one of the best watches this season.

Conversely, the suspension could end up helping the Grizzlies who were slated to play the hardest stretch run schedule. Now they’ll return rested and likely not have to play out the full schedule while holding a 3.5 edge over their nearest opponent.

Comparing the semantics of the Grizzlies to the four teams chasing them they are tied with the Kings for the best back-to-back set performance and are just behind the Pelicans for road win efficiency.