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Houston Rockets: Analyzing The Low-Seed Murkiness Of The West

By James D'Elia

Mar 18, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets forward Michael Beasley (8) celebrates with guard James Harden (13) after making a basket during the fourth quarter against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Toyota Center. The Rockets won 116-111. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 18, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets forward Michael Beasley (8) celebrates with guard James Harden (13) after making a basket during the fourth quarter against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Toyota Center. The Rockets won 116-111. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 17, 2016; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Memphis Grizzlies head coach Dave Joerger tries to restrain forward Matt Barnes (22) after tempers flared during the game against the Milwaukee Bucks in the fourth quarter at BMO Harris Bradley Center. The Bucks beat the Grizzlies 96-86. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 17, 2016; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Memphis Grizzlies head coach Dave Joerger tries to restrain forward Matt Barnes (22) after tempers flared during the game against the Milwaukee Bucks in the fourth quarter at BMO Harris Bradley Center. The Bucks beat the Grizzlies 96-86. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports /

Memphis Grizzlies (39-30)

LAC, @PHX, @LAL, @SAS, SAS, DEN, TOR, @ORL, CHI, @DAL, GSW, @LAC, @GSW

The Grizzlies are in big trouble right now. They have lost so many players to injury that their team is in a shambles and head coach Dave Joerger will have his work cut out for him, getting these Grizzlies playing at a respectable level. Here is the Grizzlies injury report as of March 19th per RotoWorld:

Screenshot (50)
Screenshot (50) /

That’s certainly not a good look for a team targeting the 5th seed out of the West.

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Memphis actually has quite a difficult schedule on the run home and they’re going to lose a lot of games for the rest of this regular season.

Honestly, I can only see the Grizz winning four or five games for the rest of the season and I’ve been kind in giving them the win when they play at Dallas. Lance Stephenson and Matt Barnes somehow dragged the Grizzlies over the line against the Cavaliers a couple of weeks ago but don’t count on that happening again.

Zach Randolph should return soon and Mike Conley should come back before the playoffs but the Grizzlies are going to crawl over the line.

Prediction: (4-9) Finish with a record of 43-39 

Mar 18, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) drives against New Orleans Pelicans during the second half of a game at the Smoothie King Center. The Trail Blazers defeated the Pelicans 117-112. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 18, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) drives against New Orleans Pelicans during the second half of a game at the Smoothie King Center. The Trail Blazers defeated the Pelicans 117-112. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /

Portland Trailblazers (36-34)

@DAL, DAL, @ LAC, PHI, SAC, BOS, MIA, @GSW, @SAC, OKC, MIN, DEN

Again, another pretty difficult set of games for the Blazers to close out the regular season with. Luckily for the Blazers, Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum are firing at the business end of the year, and the 3rd highest scoring duo in the NBA could carry this team to a couple of victories down the stretch.

The Blazers have defied expectation this season, as popular opinion saw them dropping out of contention in the West after incumbent All-Star LaMarcus Aldridge defected to San Antonio.

Dame DOLLA has been lighting teams up since the All Star Break putting up 30.1 PPG, 3.8 RPG and 5.6 APG. Expect his “scorched-earth” style of play to continue as his All-Star snub continues to fuel his hatred of everything on a basketball court.

Prediction: (7-5) Blazers finish the season 43-39

Next: CLICK HERE: Where Do The Rockets Fit Into The Playoff Picture?

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