NBA Power Rankings: How far will the Warriors fall?

By Ian Levy | Nov 20, 2018

SAN ANTONIO, TX - NOVEMBER 18: Kevin Durant #35 of the Golden State Warriors stretches before the game against the San Antonio Spurs on November 18, 2018 at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photos by Mark Sobhani/NBAE via Getty Images) /

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MEMPHIS, TN – NOVEMBER 16: Marc Gasol #33 of the Memphis Grizzlies speaks with the media after the game against the Sacramento Kings on November 16, 2018 at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images) /

team. 211. . 11-5. Previous: 9th. Memphis Grizzlies. 9

The Grizzlies have been playing suffocating defense lately, and inching closer to the Celtics for the best defensive mark in the league. Three of their four wins this week came against teams outside the playoff picture but they also secured a huge win over the Milwaukee Bucks, an indicator of what the ceiling really is for this team.

Marc Gasol and Mike Conley, as usual, have been the driving forces. By the estimates of ESPN’s Real Plus-Minus, Gasol has been the most impactful player in the league this season. And the contributions they’re getting from the supporting cast — Jaren Jackson Jr., Garrett Temple, Kyle Anderson, Shelvin Mack — raise the question of whether this could be the best iteration of these Grizzlies we’ve seen yet.

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