Updated: January 23, 2012, 12:37 PM ET

Five teams on mean streaks

Dissecting squads on long winning or losing streaks (PER Diem: Jan. 23, 2012)

Hollinger By John Hollinger
ESPN.com
Archive

Remember when losing Zach Randolph was supposed to condemn the Memphis Grizzlies to two months of muddling in the nether regions of the Western Conference before trying to make a late playoff push once he came back?

Well, they aren't following the script. Unbelievably, the Griz enter Monday's games in first place in the Southwest Division thanks to a six-game winning streak that includes five double-digit wins. Memphis is up to No. 6 in the Power Rankings while posing its record against the league's sixth-most difficult schedule. Believe it or not, only two Western Conference teams have better scoring margins than the Grizzlies' plus-3.7 -- and that's even with Memphis losing its fourth game of the season by 40 to Chicago.

To continue reading this article you must be an Insider

The NBA On ESPN.com

Follow the NBA on ESPN:
Twitter / Facebook / Google+

LATEST CONTENT
REGULAR FEATURES

FOLLOW US ON TWITTER

  • DimeAlert Dime Alert
    Who gets the MVP award from the Clippers 103-96 win over the Nuggets? Paul had 36-9, Griffin had 27-12-5.
    about an hour ago     
  • NBAonESPN The NBA on ESPN
    RT @DimeAlert: That wraps it up from Staples. Griffin and Paul carry the Clippers to a 103-95 victory over the Nuggers.
    about an hour ago     
  • DimeAlert Dime Alert
    That wraps it up from Staples. Griffin and Paul carry the Clippers to a 103-95 victory over the Nuggers.
    about an hour ago     
  • DimeUpdate Dime Update
    There's Lawler's Law: First team to 100 wins. Clippers up 101-93 with a minute left. Paging T-Mac or Reggie Miller?
    about an hour ago     
  • DimeUpdate Dime Update
    Once again, the Nuggets just haven't been able to score consistently down the stretch. Clippers are up 99-93 with 1:12 left to play.
    about an hour ago     
  • DimeAlert Dime Alert
    Griffin has 25 points, 11 rebounds and 5 assists to boot. Nuggets are in danger of being put away, down 7 with 2 minutes left.
    about an hour ago     
  • johnhollinger John Hollinger
    @kevinarnovitz I bet Julyan Stone (UTEP) has a Miners' hat.
    about an hour ago     
  • kevinarnovitz Kevin Arnovitz
    Harrington has been the beneficiary of Clips' coverage/traps/rotations, but can't find the hoop with a miner's hat.
    about an hour ago     
  • NBAonESPN The NBA on ESPN
    RT @DimeUpdate: The Clippers are just barely holding off the Nuggets behind the play of Griffin and Paul. LAC 95 - DEN 92 with 3:29 left.
    about an hour ago     
  • DimeUpdate Dime Update
    The Clippers are just barely holding off the Nuggets behind the play of Griffin and Paul. LAC 95 - DEN 92 with 3:29 left.
    about 2 hours ago     
  • kevinarnovitz Kevin Arnovitz
    RT @docsheadgames: It was exactly a year ago that @diamond83 got first national interview of the historic win. Man, was that fun! http:/ ...
    about 2 hours ago     
  • DimeAlert Dime Alert
    Blake Griffin is back on the floor, and Chris Paul returns with him. They've got some work to do -- Nuggets are up 2 with 6 minutes left.
    about 2 hours ago     
  • DimeAlert Dime Alert
    Griffin banged the elbow he didn't have the Barry Bonds padding on. He's icing it now the bench -- not sure if he'll return.
    about 2 hours ago     
  • DimeUpdate Dime Update
    The Chris Paul takeover is in full effect. He's 11-for-14 with 34 points. LAC 89, DEN 83 with 9 minutes to play.
    about 2 hours ago     
  • DimeAlert Dime Alert
    Blake Griffin went down really hard on the baseline. He's walking it off, and all of Staples Center just collectively exhaled.
    about 2 hours ago     
  • JustinVerrier Justin Verrier
    As @PedroMoura points out, Chris Paul's career high is 43 points. He's got 34 right now (tying season high). Doable.
    about 2 hours ago     
  • JustinVerrier Justin Verrier
    Clips facing worst-case scenario in last game before the break: Nugs sitting, but it's still a one-point game after three.
    about 2 hours ago     
  • jadande J.A. Adande
    I'd hire someone with those degrees RT @eqninja if I could redo college I would major in Blake Griffin dunks. Minor in Rasheed Wallace.
    about 2 hours ago     
  • DimeAlert Dime Alert
    In the final game of the night, we've got a good one in LA. #Clippers have an 80-79 lead over the #Nuggets going into the 4th quarter.
    about 2 hours ago     
  • JustinVerrier Justin Verrier
    Just because it's the end of the quarter doesn't mean you don't have to run a play, Entire NBA.
    about 2 hours ago     

Follow ESPN's NBA coverage on Twitter »

MORE NBA HEADLINES

Insider