The Memphis Grizzlies struggled throughout their game Monday night against the New York Knicks. The turnover issue that has plagued the Grizzlies all season long reared it ugly head once again - especially from their starting backcourt of Ja Morant and Desmond Bane. Memphis’ issues against good teams this year continued.
It was an eight point game for the Grizzlies at the half. Then Memphis got flat embarrassed and outplayed in the second half. That’s concerning. Because the week ahead doesn’t get easier for the Grizzlies. The Houston Rockets - up 3-0 on the season already against Memphis - and Milwaukee Bucks await in the days ahead.
But it goes deeper than that. We are about to learn a lot about these Grizzlies - just how serious of a contender they actually are.
Here’s why.
The quality of opponent is high. Beyond the Rockets Thursday and the Bucks Sunday, Memphis over the next 12 games will see the Knicks team that embarrassed them, the Clippers, the Magic, the Cavaliers, the Thunder, the Suns (twice)...the list is long but distinguished. If a knock on the Grizzlies is they have beaten up on bad teams, those opportunities will be few and far between over the next month.
In fact, only two teams - the Raptors and Spurs - over the next 12 games are actively not concerned about winning at an organizational level. This isn’t a stretch against the Hornets, Pelicans, and Jazz coming up. Memphis will be tested early and often to be sure.
The trade deadline is included, of course. What will the Grizzlies do? When they play the way they did Monday night they look like they may want to be sellers at the deadline. That almost certainly will not be the case - one game does not a season make. But Memphis GM Zach Kleiman is not a dumb person. He sees the same struggles against physical, good teams that we do.
Is it an “all-in” move? Going to get essentially a 4th star? What about a consolidation trade to upgrade the starting lineup (and therefore the bench if Zach Edey or Jaylen Wells head there)? Surely they can’t just sit and watch the deadline go by, right...
RIGHT????
12 games, 12 cities. Including the Knicks loss Monday, Memphis will play 12 games in 12 different cities. No home stands - only three games at FedExForum between now and February 25th. Now obviously the All-Star Game and a much needed break comes along that time as well, but the fact remains that a lot of travel is coming for the Grizzlies.
This week rest isn’t an issue. But Sunday/Monday/Wednesday games are coming next week. Then three games in four days after the All-Star Break. How will Grizzlies Head Coach Taylor Jenkins handle rotations? How will the players respond to healthy rotation members hopefully returning?
This stretch of basketball will likely define the season for Memphis. Monday night was a slow start to that. But thankfully, there is another game Thursday to try to right the ship.
