In the first game of I Morant After his 25-game suspension imposed by the NBA, he showed that he was a star with an exhibition while leading the Grizzlies to recover from a 24-point deficit to beat the Pelicans at the buzzer.
As exciting as Morant’s return was, that victory only enhanced the Grizzlies record at 7-19 after the team had great difficulties in his absence. The point guard saved Memphis that night in New Orleans, but could he, too, with his season?
Morant’s heroics marked the first of four consecutive victories for the Grizzlies, a stretch that brought the team within 9 games of 50% winning. They then lost four of their next five to fall back to where they were when the star returned to the lineup: they are 12 games away from a positive balance.
Regardless of your current position, the presence of Morant has been, and will continue to be, enough to instill hope that this team can change things and reach the Playoffs.
That is why it is worth stopping and appreciating Ja Morant’s numbers since he returned: 25.6 points, 8.3 assists and 5.4 rebounds. In that period his team has recorded a 5-3 mark with him present.
Comparing Memphis’ 5-3 record under Morant to its 6-20 record in his absence, his impact becomes even clearer. The Grizzlies have reason to believe they really have a chance to turn things around before it’s too late.
The presence of the point guard is combined with the recent returns of Luke Kennard y Marcus Smartas well as the imminent return of Brandon Clarke. Now Memphis has a chance to do something improbable, but not impossible.
It’s time to take stock of the Grizzlies’ position in the Western Conference Playoffs and whether or not they can make the postseason with more than half a season left.
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The position in the Grizzlies classification and the Playoff objective
As the midway point of the 2023-2024 season approaches, Memphis is well below the 50% win rate, but still has more than 40 games to turn things around. The Grizzlies are in 13th place and need to climb to 10th to enter the Play-In.
In the two 82-game seasons since the Play-In was instituted, the 10th seed in the Western Conference has had records of 40-42 (2022-2023) y 34-48 (2021-2022).
Based on the current standings, the 10th seed in the West is projected to win around 40 games, while the 6th seed will be stuck at 49. While the 6th and final guaranteed playoff spot may be out of reach, Memphis could earn a shot to reach the postseason if it wins around 30 of its last 48 games.
The positions and classification of the Western Conference can be consulted in the next link.
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History works in favor of the Grizzlies
Miami Heat in 2016-2017
Miami lost eight of its first 10 games to open the 2016-2017 season, He had a record of 10-24 in 34 games and 11-30 at midseason. Incredibly, the Miami Heat would win 13 consecutive games and 30 of their last 41 to finish the season with a record of 41-41.
Unfortunately for Miami, it was all for naught, as they missed the Playoffs by virtue of a tiebreaker with Chicago, which also finished 41-41.
New Orleans Pelicans in 2021-2022
In 2021, New Orleans lost 16 of its first 20 games and had a record of 12-22 in 34 games. At the end of the season, the Pelicans won 24 of their last 48 to stay in 9th place in the West.
The Pelicans defeated San Antonio in the Play-In before surprising the Clippers in the next match to advance to the Playoffs as the eighth seed.
Los Angeles Lakers in 2022-2023
In 2022, the Lakers started the season 2-10 and reached a balance of 14-20 in 34 games. Thanks in large part to smart moves in the trade deadline, The Angelenos won 29 of their last 38 games to finish with a record of 43-39 and finish in seventh place in the West.
After qualifying via Play-In, the Lakers had an incredible run, defeating the Grizzlies (2nd in the West) and the Warriors (6th) to advance to the Western Conference Finals.
2024-01-07 11:07:13
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