NBA Daily: First Quarter Grades: Southwest Division

The quarter-season mark has been broached by the NBA, as November draws to a close. Twenty games might not seem like a lot, but there is plenty which can be taken away in the drama of any team through this point in the season.
The 2018-19 season has been a surprising one so much, even more so to get its teams that reside in the Southwest division. Down and up, the Southwest hasn’t played out how anyone expected it to.
So, how have these teams?
Memphis Grizzlies — B+
Grit and Grind hasn’t made a comeback, like it was 2013, but the Memphis Grizzlies started this year.
While they have come back down by a surprising start, the 12-8 Grizzlies sit on peak of the division and look much improved by the 22-60 group they ran outside onto the court last season. Mike Conley, who’s averaged 20.3 points, 3.4 rebounds, 6.6 assists and 1.2 steals in 20 games, 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 among five players this season to average at least 18 points, nine rebounds, one steal and one block per game. Meanwhile, the Kyle Anderson, Garrett Temple and Shelvin Mack have demonstrated capable additions as well.
Rookie Jaren Jackson Jr. has also played at a high degree; the former Michigan State Spartan has averaged 12.7 points, 4.5 rebounds, one steal and 2.1 blocks per game while shooting 34.9 percent on 2.2 three-point attempts per game.
The Grizzlies were not anticipated by many to lead the division at the quarter mark, or maybe some mark, this year. But, with all the New Orleans Pelicans and Houston Rockets underperforming into a degree, this is where they have found themselves. They might not hold all season, but they can consider a success thus far.

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