Memphis Grizzlies: 50-1

We’ve reached the initial team that could win a ring this season without completely shocking the people: the Memphis Grizzlies.
Rest assured a championship for the Grizzlies, who barely made it into the postseason last year with a record of 50-32 (your 17th reminder the West is loaded), would be a surprise. Zach Randolph is 33, and Mike Miller, a key floor-spacing shot in last year’s underwhelming crime, followed LeBron James into the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Scoring, as always, will be a problem for the Grizz.
However, this team is going to defend like crazy, particularly with a slimmed-down Marc Gasol patrolling the middle ahead of the 2015 free agency. Toss in Tony Allen, the NBA’s scariest perimeter stopper, and you’ve got the crucial components to get a league-best defense.
Vince Carter remains a precious wing guardian who can conduct a pick-and-roll and hit the three, and Mike Conley is a playoff-tested fighter who just keeps getting better.
And remember, we have seen this Grizzlies core knock off the San Antonio Spurs, Los Angeles Clippers and Oklahoma City Thunder in playoff show over the previous four decades. Nobody scares Memphis from the postseason.
If the Grizzlies can remain healthy and Gasol puts a big year, they are a dark-horse contender.

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