How bout' 'em Grizzlies

The Memphis Grizzlies were a laughing stock when they first made it to the playoffs. I heard people say “sweep,” and “domination.” I’m not going to lie, I am guilty of this. I picked San Antonio in five.

Now Memphis holds a 2-1 series lead over Kevin Durant and the Oklahoma City Thunder. Two more wins and they will be headed to the franchise’s first conference finals appearance. Two more wins.

The Grizz need to form a solid bench for a bright future

Okay, they might win game four at home and I would not be surprised if they win three games in this series, three, not four, three.

How would the eighth seeded Memphis Grizzlies upset the Thunder. OKC knows how to get it done.

As long as Kevin Durant gets more shots than Russell Westbrook, OKC wins. But what about Memphis looking forward, they CANNOT go this far and not come back later. They recently re-signed Rudy Gay and it looks like Zach Randolph will re-sign with the team, but some players need to come. Memphis needs a stronger bench.

If the Grizz build a bench like Boston or San Antonio, they could be serious championship contenders. Lionel Hollins has done a tremendous job with this team and I wish them much success.

I go over all of todays games and who I think will win, including Miami @ Boston

For now I will just put who I think will win today, there are 3 games on today, and I am pretty interested.

Houston Rockets @ LA Lakers

The Lakers did not have the best preseason, but we need to forget all of that, throw it in the past, it is time for the real NBA season. The Lakers will play hard now, they will stop at nothing to win. Bynum is injured so Odom and Gasol are the 4 and the 5 in the starting lineup. Houston should watch out with Yao Ming in case he gets injured, actually, didn’t I hear something about limited playing time for Yao? The Lakers have more talent and more experience. pick LA to win this game.

Miami Heat @ Boston Celtics

Dwyane Wade is starting. Good thing. They can finally stop the big 3 , but what about the big 4. Rajon Rondo is one of the NBA’s best point guards, he can get a triple-double and it is hard to stop him. Mario Chalmers cannot stop this guy and if they put Wade on Rondo, Ray Allen is left open. Kevin Garnett will probably get tired early and Chris Bosh will be playing on Glen “Big Baby” Davis. Big Baby cannot stop Bosh. Another important factor will be wether or not Jermaine O’Neil will be okay, he has an injured wrist but was cleared to play. When he does leave the court Shaquille O”Neal will come out, and he and Rondo looked pretty good. When it all comes down to it, Boston has a better bench and home court advantage, I’ve got Boston.

Phoenix Suns @ Portland Trailblazers

Last time we saw these 2 take on each other Phoenix won in a 5 game series, and Brandon Roy was injured, and Phoenix had Amare Stoudamire. Now replacing Stoudamire is Channing Frye and Roy is playing for Portland. Greg Oden is injured but Marcus Camby can replace him, oh and Portland lost Travis Outlaw, but they do have Nicolas Batum. Hedo Turkoglu is the back-up small forward for veteran Grant Hill. Phoenix still has a good roster but they will get crushed down low. Steve Nash even said he didn’t like the direction the team is headed. Portland has a better roster and they have the home court advantage, Portland should breeze past Phoenix.

Read to see my picks for the weeks biggest match-ups.

I have decided I will post my bets of the biggest games of the week each week. Let me get started.

Denver Nuggets @ LA Lakers

I have Denver because the Lakers lost to Barcelona and Minnesota. I’m not saying LA is going to play this badly all year but the Lakers might not really care about who wins. I wouldn’t be surprised if LA wins this one, actually, every second makes me kind of lean towards LA, but I’m sticking with Denver.

Chicago @ Orlando

I think the Bulls are going to have a great season, they barely lost to Dallas with no Carlos Boozer. But no Boozer is a good reason why I think Orlando will win. The Magic are great and Boozer is out so it gives them another chance to win, I’m going with my gut on this one, Orlando.

Oklahoma City Thunder @ Denver Nuggets

Oklahoma City has a bunch of young talent and a very good coach. Durant on Anthony should be good. Westbrook on Billups. And don’t forget Harden on Smith. I do think Oklahoma has great talent but Denver right now seems like the winner, I have the Nuggets.

Miami Heat @ Atlanta Hawks

I don’t know if Dwyane Wade will be back to play against Joe Johnson and Chalmers will have to guard Bibby. Horford will have some nice plays and Joe Johnson on Chris Bosh should be exciting. Lebron will have to go crazy up against Marvin Williams. The Hawks also have former sixth man of the year Jamaal Crawford. To add to it all, the Hawks have home court advantage, I have Atlanta to win.

Orlando Magic @ Miami Heat

The Magic will outrebound the Heat and they can play better defense. Bosh might have to match up with Howard which would make Haslem play against Rahard Lewis. The Heat are at home but with Orlando’s defense and rebounding against Miami’s offense, I have Orlando in a close game.