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NBA: Ranking the top 5 championship contenders

By Evan Massey

January 7, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) celebrates with forward Draymond Green (23) against the Indiana Pacers during the second quarter at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
January 7, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) celebrates with forward Draymond Green (23) against the Indiana Pacers during the second quarter at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 9, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Mike Conley (11) against the New Orleans Pelicans during a game at the Smoothie King Center. The Pelicans defeated the Grizzlies 106-95. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 9, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Mike Conley (11) against the New Orleans Pelicans during a game at the Smoothie King Center. The Pelicans defeated the Grizzlies 106-95. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Memphis Grizzlies

Another surprising team this season has been the Memphis Grizzlies, who are currently the second seed in the Western Conference with a 37-13 record. They have put together a very hard-nosed team that focuses on tough defense and team basketball, and those two qualities are what win basketball games.

Mike Conley, Zach Randolph, and Marc Gasol are the big three for the Grizzlies, and they have been extremely consistent this year.

Acquiring Jeff Green was a huge move for them, and added the extra scoring punch that they needed. They also have solid role players in Courtney Lee and Tony Allen especially. If they want to improve their chances at winning a championship this season, they need to get busy on the phones and make a trade to acquire a deeper bench ahead of the February 19th trading deadline.

Memphis has the defensive ability to contend with and shut down some of the premier teams in the NBA. They are coached very well by Dave Joerger and are a legitimate threat to win the West.

There is a definite need for the Grizzlies to acquire another scorer to come off of their bench, but it isn’t going to break them if they don’t make a trade. They have the type of talent necessary to contend with anyone in the league, and have a chance to make a run this year.

Next: 2. Atlanta Hawks

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