Memphis Grizzlies:
While this might seem like too high to place the Grizzlies it’s important to look at the bigger picture. They lost their second-best player Jaren Jackson Jr. to a torn meniscus and Justise Winslow wasn’t able to come to Orlando when he suffered another injury setback.
They had the seventh most difficult strength of seeding games schedule with a cumulative opponent win total of 307.
Their first two games were lost by five and two points respectively. And as the Grizzlies watched their 3.5 game lead over the chase pack disappear they never once conceded. When they needed to win — they won and that got them to the play-in game.
Even in that match, it wasn’t guaranteed for the Blazers because Ja Morant and his young crew pushed the Blazers right until the final buzzer.
The future is very bright for this young squad and while they’ll be disappointed they didn’t get to play in the postseason it feels like they grew up in the bubble.
Seeding Game Results:
Blazers 140 – Grizzlies 135
Spurs 108 – Grizzlies 106
Pelicans 109 – Grizzlies 99
Jazz 124 – Grizzlies 115
Grizzlies 121 – OKC Thunder 92
Raptors 108 – Grizzlies 99
Celtics 122 – Grizzlies 107
Grizzlies 119 – 108 Bucks