Final five games likely won’t hurt Grizzlies in draft lottery projection
Given the pedestrian lineups they trot out and key players who sit for rest/ injury, the Grizzlies are likely to lose Wednesday night against the New Orleans Pelicans.
The Pelicans (43-34) will attempt to end a four-game losing streak in hopes of holding on to the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference.
Memphis (21-56) figures to not be hurt in the draft lottery race over its final regular-season games, according to FiveThirtyEight.com’s projections.
FiveThirtyEight’s model predicts the Grizzlies will win just once more and finish with a 22-60 record, secondworst in the NBA. The Phoenix Suns are projected to finish last with a 20-62 mark.
Memphis plays the Pelicans, Sacramento Kings and Detroit Pistons before ending the season with road games against the Minnesota Timberwolves and Oklahoma City Thunder.
If the Grizzlies finish with the second-worst record they will have about a 20 percent chance to win the lottery, compared to 25 percent for the team with the worst record and 15.6 percent for third-worst squad.
After the first three picks are determined, the remaining selections are ordered by reverse order of record. That means if the Grizzlies finish with the second-worst record they would pick no later than fifth overall.
The Grizzlies will be underdogs in at least three of their final five games. The Pelicans, Timberwolves and Thunder are still jockeying for playoff positioning. Memphis most likely would beat Sacramento while Detroit’s lineup will dictate the matchup.
The Pistons aren’t tanking and remain four games behind the eighthplace Milwaukee Bucks in the Eastern Conference.
It is important to note, that the Grizzlies were idle Tuesday with just one more win than the Atlanta Hawks (2255). Memphis could end up with the third-worst record.
Grizzlies sign Marquis Teague for remainder of the season
Guard Marquis Teague signed a contract with the Grizzlies for the remainder of the season. Teague’s 10-day contract ended Monday.
The 6-2 Teague played most of this season with the Grizzlies’ NBA G League affiliate, Memphis Hustle. He appeared in two games off the bench for the Grizzlies. Teague, 25, averaged 17.6 points and 6.1 assists 47 games with the Hustle. He led the Hustle in points, assists and free throws made.