Despite currently sitting on the last playoff spot in Western Conference, Memphis Grizzlies will face a tough challenge to stay there. This is in part due to NBA’s play-in rules that might force Memphis to play additional games even if they finish the regular season as the No.8 seed.
Understandably, Grizzlies star rookie Ja Morant isn’t a fan of these rules and thinks they are unfair to his team.
“But, you know, we can’t control that,” said Morant in an appearance on ESPN’s The Jump. “Only thing we can control is how, you know, we go out and attack each of these games before that decision is made.”
Grizzlies were 3.5 games in front of their closest followers when the NBA suspended its 2019/20 season due to coronavirus pandemic. Now, in the remaining eight games, they will have to increase that advantage to 4.5 games if they want to make it to the postseason.
In case they are 4.0 or fewer games in front of No.9, Memphis will have to find their way to playoffs through play-in series against that team. In this case, they will have to win one game to clinch the spot, while the lower-seeded team will need two wins to do so.
Morant, however, believes this possibility will provide extra motivation for him and his teammates.
“I just feel like it’s an extra chip,” he added. “You know — more fuel to the fire, more motivation for us.”
Grizzlies are set to resume their season on August 1st against San Antonio Spurs.
