Memphis Grizzlies: 5 Bold Predictions for the Second Half of the Season

The party is over and the push for the playoffs is about to begin. With the Memphis Grizzlies sitting in eighth place out West with a record of 19-15, the uphill struggle is far less tedious than in years past. All the Grizzlies have to do is play smart basketball and hold on to a slim lead over the Denver Nuggets.

The only issue is that the Grizzlies aren't satisfied with reeling in another eight seed. In fact, the Grizzlies expect a better finish; a division-winning finish. Never say never considering Memphis has made it this far by overcoming the loss of, arguably, their best player.

Sound familiar?

Just as they overcame the loss of Rudy Gay in 2011, the Grizzlies are now fighting off the absence of playoff-hero Zach Randolph. In doing so, Marc Gasol has become an All-Star, Rudy Gay has elevated his level of play, Mike Conley leads the NBA in steals and O.J. Mayo is getting playing time. They also acquired Marreese Speights as a replacement, signaling a new-found initiative out in Memphis: win now or don't win at all.

So, what can we expect from the Grizzlies in the second half of the season? There will be highs and there will be lows, but which will outweigh the others? I have all of those answers and more just one click away...

5. Marc Gasol Will See a Statistical Decline

This isn't because he won't play as well, because he will. When he's playing alongside Zach Randolph, though, it'll be hard for Gasol to continue this level of statistical production.

In 2011, when Gasol played a full season opposite Zach Randolph, Gasol posted career-lows in scoring and rebounding. While the drop-off this year won't be nearly as significant, the Spaniard won't average 15 and 10 upon Randolph's return.

Despite the apparently negative undertones of such a drop, that's a good thing. Gasol and Randolph are likely to collaboratively post greater than 30 points and 20 rebounds per game. They're also likely to improve as an interior defense.

Then again, Randolph is a threat for 20 and 12 on his own and Gasol could outdo his brother once more...

4. Rudy Gay Will Emerge as an MVP Candidate

After Rudy Gay was snubbed for the umpteenth time in the All-Star game, it's hard to imagine the fire inside of him is anything but raging. According to his play of late, it has.

Gay had posted at least 18 points in all but one game since his dismal one point outing against the Spurs on January 30th. The one time he failed to was his sixth game in a week. He posted 14 points, seven rebounds, four assists, two blocks and a steal. He scored eight of those points in the fourth quarter.

Gay has suffered from the tight schedule as much as anyone in the league. By year's end, the only people suffering will be those who excluded his name from the NBA elite.

3. Mike Conley and Tony Allen Will Make the NBA All-Defensive Team

Mike Conley and Tony Allen are having two of the best defensive seasons in the NBA. They're each in the top-six in steals and have collaboratively dominated the perimeter.

Conley currently leads the NBA with 2.5 steals per contest while Allen ranks sixth with 1.9. Allen is also second in the NBA with 3.67 steals per 48 minutes.

Their control of the perimeter is much more important than any statistic can show. Since suffering the loss of Randolph, the Grizzlies' interior defense is significantly weaker. While Randolph is far from the best defender, he's a big body who made his presence known. This is not to discredit Marc Gasol, but the paint needs protection.

Conley and Allen have given the Grizzlies just that, keeping opponents out of the paint on a consistent basis. I predict they'll continue this level of play and garner the recognition for it.

2. O.J. Mayo Will Stay Put

If it's ever going to happen, there's no better time than the present. With Zach Randolph's pending return from an injury, Speights will be moved to the bench. Speights has been playing well, though, which makes it hard to imagine he'll see a decline in playing time. With multiple other Memphis players averaging double-digit minutes, something has got to give.

With that being said, it won't be at O.J. Mayo's expense.

Mayo has actually seen his most consistent playing time since his rookie season, mainly due to establishing a much more well-rounded game. While he's not going to win Sixth Man of the Year, the combination of he and Tony Allen at the 2 seems to be working well out in Memphis.

As they always say, if it ain't broken, don't fix it.

1. The Grizzlies Will Win the Southwest Division

At the halfway mark, the Memphis Grizzlies are just five games back of the first place San Antonio Spurs. Considering they've made it this far without their best player, it's hard not to be excited for what's to come.

If the injury argument works for the Grizzlies, it also works for the Spurs. Manu Ginobili has missed 25 games and center Tiago Splitter has also been sidelined on occasion. Meanwhile, Tony Parker has posted a career-year and lifted the Spurs to the the top of the Southwest Division... Again.

Nevertheless, the Grizzlies are poised for a breakout season. Randolph and Gasol will only grow stronger as a tandem, and Speights will offer the Grizzlies nothing more than a minor drop-off when he enters the game off of the bench.

The Conley-Mayo-Gay trio will also grow stronger and could provide the Grizzlies with upwards of 55 points per game. With that type of contribution, it will be difficult for anyone to stop the Memphis Grizzlies.