NBA Daily: First Quarter Grades: Southwest Division

As November draws to a close, the NBA has broached the quarter-season mark. Twenty games may not look like a lot, but there is a lot which could be removed from the drama of any group through this stage in this season.
The season has been a sudden one so much, even more so to get the teams which live in the Southwest branch. Down and up, the Southwest hasn’t played out just how anyone expected it to.
How have these teams?
Memphis Grizzlies — B+
Grit and Grind hasn’t made a comeback, but the Memphis Grizzlies began this year like it was 2013.
While they’ve come back down from a sudden start, the 12-8 Grizzlies sit on top of the division and look much improved by the 22-60 squad they ran out on the court last season. Mike Conley, who has averaged 20.3 points, 3.4 rebounds, 6.6 assists and 1.2 steals in 20 matches, has rebounded after he missed most of last year because of injury, and his return has galvanized his seasoned partner in crime, Marc Gasol.
Gasol has fostered his numbers after an underwhelming 2017; the Spaniard is one of five players this year to average at least 18 points, nine rebounds, one steal and one block per game. Meanwhile, Garrett Temple, Kyle Anderson and Shelvin Mack have demonstrated capable additions too.
Rookie Jaren Jackson Jr. has also played in a high level; the former Michigan State Spartan has averaged 12.7 points, 4.5 rebounds, a steal and 2.1 blocks per game while shooting 34.9 percent on 2.2 three-point attempts per game.
The Grizzlies weren’t expected by many to lead the branch at the quarter mark, or perhaps some markers, this year. However, with Houston Rockets underperforming and the New Orleans Pelicans to a substantial degree, this is where they have found themselves. They may not hold onto that division all season, but they are able to think about a success thus far.

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