This writer thought Memphis was a good longshot bet to win the NBA title this season with the addition of former Defensive Player of the Year Marcus Smart this offseason to a core group of Ja Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr. (the 2022-23 Defensive Player of the Year), Desmond Bane and Steven Adams. The Grizzlies, though, have fallen flat on their faces. The team has been hit hard with injuries, and Morant hasn't played yet due to a 25-game suspension. The star guard will make his season debut Tuesday in New Orleans. Morant is set at over/under 24.5 points at DraftKings, but the Grizz are 8-point underdogs.
It's perhaps fitting that Morant will return against the Pelicans. New Orleans took Zion Williamson at No. 1 overall in the 2019 NBA Draft and Morant went second to Memphis. Morant has accomplished more in the NBA -- he's won Rookie of the Year and Most Improved Player, made two All-Star teams and been named a second-team All-NBA pick -- because he's been able to stay healthy and Williamson has not. Because of that, the two have only faced off six times, with Williamson's team grabbing the win four times. Morant has averaged 21.0 points, 7.8 assists and 3.8 rebounds per game in those six outings.
Last season, the 24-year-old Morant averaged 26.2 points, 8.1 rebounds and 5.9 assists per game. Morant is one of just six players to average 25-5-5 multiple times within the first four seasons of his NBA career along with Michael Jordan, LeBron James, Oscar Robertson, Jerry West and Luka Doncic.
Memphis was 11-10 without Morant in 2022-23 but had a very good backup point guard in Tyus Jones. He was traded away this offseason in the deal to get Smart from Boston. Smart has been out since Nov. 14 due to a foot injury and is getting close to a return but likely won't play Tuesday. Adams was lost to a season-ending injury before Opening Day. Forward Brandon Clarke suffered a torn Achilles last March and is still not close to playing.
We haven't heard anything from Memphis coach Taylor Jenkins about an early minutes restriction as Morant has been able to practice and travel with the club while serving his suspension for conduct detrimental to the league. He had to leave and not be at the arena while Memphis played.
Morant, in the first year of a five-year, $197 million maximum contract, has vowed to be a better leader for the Grizzlies but acknowledged he has to prove himself in that role. He said he wouldn't put pressure on himself to have a "historic game my first game back," but he's "super excited" to return to the Grizzlies.
At 6-19, is it too late for the Grizzlies, who were the No. 2 overall seed in the Western Conference last season, to make the playoffs? They sit 13th in the West and are +1200 to make the final eight in the Western field and -5000 to miss. Certainly there's plenty of time to get in position for the play-in tournament, which is spots 7-10 in the West. Memphis is +550 to be a play-in team, and that's something I might have to play.
Last season, the Oklahoma City Thunder were the No. 10 team in the standings and earned the last spot in the play-in. They did so with a 40-42 record. To get to that mark, Memphis would have to finish 34-23. Golden State was the No. 6 team in the West standings -- the last spot in the playoff field that didn't require having to go through the play-in tournament -- with a 44-38 record.
Now pretty healthy, the Pelicans are rolling on a four-game winning streak and averaging 130.3 PPG in that stretch. They opened the season in Memphis on Oct. 25 and won 111-104 in the lone meeting between the teams thus far. Williamson had 23 points and seven rebounds. He's set at O/U 29.5 points + rebounds for Tuesday. Note: Zion has just been downgraded to questionable due to illness.
This is the second game of a back-to-back for the Grizzlies. They tallied a fifth straight loss on Monday, a 116-97 defeat in Oklahoma City. Center Bismack Biyombo missed Monday's loss and is questionable Tuesday.
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