Memphis Grizzlies Clinch Playoff Berth with Victory vs. Mavericks, Nuggets' Loss

For the seventh straight season, the Memphis Grizzlies are headed to the playoffs. The team clinched its playoff berth with a 99-90 win over the Dallas Mavericks, combined with the Denver Nuggets' 122-114 loss against the Charlotte Hornets, on Friday.

This playoff berth may feel especially satisfying for the organization after a litany of injuries defined much of the regular season, including Mike Conley Jr. missing a chunk of time earlier in the year and Chandler Parsons' first campaign with the team being cut short after just 34 games. 

Plus, the team had to adjust to a new head coach in David Fizdale. The transition period didn't last long, however, as it followed a 4-5 start to the season with a six-game winning streak. From there, the Grizzlies were off and running

Led by Conley and Marc Gasol, the Grizzlies continued to persevere and evolve. Gasol turned himself into an excellent three-point shooter (38.1 percent). Zach Randolph adjusted to a role coming off the bench and thrived, posting 22 points and 12 rebounds in Friday's win.

JaMychal Green took a major step forward in a starting role, averaging 9.2 points and 7.2 rebounds per game. Troy Daniels continued to play the part of the perimeter sniper off the bench, shooting better from three-point range (37.7) than overall (36.7) this season.

Two constants remained: The Grizzlies were excellent on defense and they continued to embrace a blue-collar attitude. 

The Grizzlies are allowing just 100.2 points per game this year, third in the NBA. That continued defensive intensity was likely the primary factor for the team's success.

But don't discount the team's work ethic, either.

"You wouldn’t know if we won or lost. It’s just like it was when we were losing," Fizdale said in March about the team's attitude in practices, per Ronald Tillery of the Commercial Appeal. "That’s what I like about this team. We don’t flinch. We understood we went through some tough struggles and we were searching for answers. But I don’t feel like we were separated or distancing ourselves from solutions."

That, in a nutshell, is the mentality that keeps propelling this team to success. The Grizzlies won't be expected to compete for an NBA title this season, but they aren't a matchup any team is looking forward to, either.