NBA Memphis Grizzlies

5 Teams the Memphis Grizzlies Don’t Want to Face in First Round of NBA Playoffs

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By @shermham

5 Teams the Grizzlies Don't Want to Face in First Round of NBA Playoffs

Memphis Grizzlies
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The Grizzlies are all in this year. Longtime franchise hero Zach Randolph's days as a star are numbered, and the team has asserted itself at the top of a very tough Western Conference. They'll likely earn a top seed, but there's just one problem with that: There are no easy outs in the West. Here are five teams Memphis does not want to face in Round 1.

5. Dallas Mavericks

Dallas Mavericks
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5. Dallas Mavericks

Dallas Mavericks
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As it stands now, Memphis is slated to face the Mavericks. It's not the best matchup, but it's not the worst either. If Rajon Rondo shows up to play, it will make for an intense duel between him and Mike Conley, two of the league's most steal-happy point guards. Beyond that, the Grizzlies will try to exploit their size against a weak Dallas frontline of Tyson Chandler/Dirk Nowitzki/Amar'e Stoudemire.

4. New Orleans Pelicans

New Orleans Pelicans
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4. New Orleans Pelicans

New Orleans Pelicans
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The Pelicans are in a dogfight with the strongly favored OKC Thunder to even make the playoffs. But if they somehow make it in, it's a tough matchup for the Grizzlies. The Pelicans are actually one of just three teams with a winning record against Memphis this season (Cleveland and Utah are the others). Anthony Davis is way too quick for Zach Randolph on offense, and Omer Asik gets paid millions to defend bigs like Marc Gasol.

3. Houston Rockets

Houston Rockets
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3. Houston Rockets

Dwight Howard James Harden Houston Rockets
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At center, a healthy Dwight Howard poses serious problems for both Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph. At shooting guard, the matchup could go either way. Tony Allen will pester James Harden to no end, but his lack of scoring ability will allow Harden to coast often on defense. Harden has been a much better defender this season, but he'd still benefit from saving energy on that end.

2. San Antonio Spurs

San Antonio Spurs
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2. San Antonio Spurs

San Antonio Spurs
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I think the Grizzlies secretly want this series. To be the champs, you've got to beat the champs. With that said, the Spurs' offensive creativity will shred the Grizzlies' gritty defense, just like it did in 2013's 4-0 undressing in the Conference Finals. Memphis has won all three matchups this season, but all three took place in December, one of the Spurs' worst months in recent history.

1. Oklahoma City Thunder

Oklahoma City Thunder
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1. Oklahoma City Thunder

Oklahoma City Thunder
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It's hard to be a tougher matchup than the defending champs, but the Thunder might just be one. Everything rests on the health of Kevin Durant, but the Enes Kanter deal and untameable play of Russell Westbrook mean the Thunder are better than last year's team that beat Memphis. This will be a brutal series, and even if the Grizzlies win it will be exhausting for them going forward. Such is the life of facing Russell Westbrook.

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