Math has never been my strongest subject. However, as I see it, the Memphis Grizzlies are currently 5-6 as they ready themselves for the Chicago Bulls on a nationally televised game during their annual Martin Luther King game. They have played eight games since Zach Randolph went down with his MCL injury. During that stretch, which dates back to New Year’s Day against the Chicago Bulls, the Grizzlies are a surprising 4-4. They have only lost one winnable game (against the Jazz) during that time. I cannot see any way the Grizzlies can beat the Bulls on Monday (with or without Derrick Rose). The Bulls are a supremely talented team. They also play a suffocating style of defense that produced one the most lopsided losses the Grizzlies have experienced as a franchise during their first meeting this season. However, this is what I CAN see. When the Grizzlies roll into March, and hopefully have a fully healed Z-Bo back, the Grizzlies will be 19-16.

How can this be? How can the Grizzlies have a winning record by March 1^st? Here is a better question: Have you looked at their schedule? Over the next six weeks, the Grizzlies have a very favorable schedule. Let’s take a look at the next 24 games together, shall we?

At first glance, you might think, “Ethan, the combined records of these teams is 153-130. That is a .540 winning percentage. That is kind of tough.” And yes, you would be right if that was your first thought. These teams actually do have a decent record on Sunday, January 15, 2012. However, lets look deeper, shall we?

There are 11 roads games. During those 11 road games, 4 teams will be coming off a back-to-back. The Grizzlies are notorious for taking care of teams coming off a back-to-back set. Also, during those 11 road games, the opponents are currently 59-72 with a winning percentage of .450. All of a sudden, those 11 road games don’t look too intimidating. Sure, going on the road against the Clippers, Blazers, and Thunder isn’t giving me that warm, tingly feeling all over. However, visiting the Hornets, Pistons and Nets should make any Grizzlies fan positively swoon.

If there are 11 road games over the next 24, then it stands to reason there are 13 home games during that same stretch. Let’s look a little closer at those 13 home games. The current combined road record of those teams is 27-47 with a winning percentage of .364. If you take out Chicago, the current combined road record is 20-45 with a winning percentage of .307. These numbers are not intimidating. In fact, at this point, these numbers look favorable at worst and absolutely mouth-wateringly delicious at best.

Of course, any one can manipulate numbers into supporting their arguments these days. Someone could come by and argue that the Clippers haven’t played enough games yet since they are only 6-3 right now. Someone else may argue the Blazers are better than their 7-5 record indicates. Others would tell you Timberwolves are much improved from last year, and they could be that “sneaky good” that some teams in the NBA tend to be. To each of these, I would present the inflated record of the Utah Jazz at 7-4, the Spurs at 8-4 without Ginobili for a reported six weeks, and the “curiously” good Pacers and 76ers (read as “put them in the West and then tell me they would be that good).

Now, I won’t rule out the possibility that some of these teams may get better (even as I write this, the Jazz are beating the Nuggets in Denver) and some of them are even better than they look right now. I also won’t rule out the possibility that Zach could actually require surgery on his knee and be out for the year. But as of Sunday, January 15, 2012, the Grizzlies have little to fear in their quest to hover and even surpass that ever elusive .500 winning percentage while Z-Bo is out. And what better get well present to receive than a chance to build on last year’s success and have a decent playoff seed this year.