I didn’t get a chance to watch the game last night, but I did get to keep up with it via Twitter. [By the way, is there a more entertaining way to watch a terrible game in Memphis other than Twitter? I don't think there is. With one device, you can hear from everyone with an opinion on the game. You can see what Geoff Calkins is saying to Chris Vernon about the Grizzlies. You can read what someone, who you've never met, is saying about the Grizzlies while they are in class. I love it. I don't think there is a place on this Earth where so many people let their thoughts be known more freely than on Twitter. And that includes the Saucer.] Seems the Grizzlies didn’t play so well, did they? Chris Herrington over at the Flyer broke down some of the ugliness that was last night’s game against the Spurs. I will let his take satisfy your need to read all about last night’s game as well as his thoughts on the sudden collapse of the Grizzlies offense. However, from where I sit and what I see coming up on the schedule, I still think the Grizzlies are more or less on pace while waiting for Zach Randolph to return.

Two weeks ago, I wrote that by March 1st, the Grizzlies would be somewhere around 19-16. I broke down their upcoming schedule starting with the Chicago Bulls on MLK Day. I had pegged them for a loss against the Bulls, but the Grizzlies came out guns blazing and took the Bulls down with no major problem. A big win for the Grizzlies, albeit one against a team without Derrick Rose. They then went on to win against the Hornets, the Pistons, the Kings, and the Warriors. I had them winning those four games. They predictably stumbled against better teams on the road in the Blazers and Clippers. The loss against Phoenix was tough though. I had them winning that game. I also thought they would beat the Spurs last night. So over the past two weeks, the Grizzlies have won one game I thought they’d lose, lost two games I thought they’d win, and won four games I thought they’d win. So they owe me one game right now. Let’s look ahead to the rest of this murderous week at what the next four games hold.

Opponent        Opponent      Grizzlies

1. Nuggets            no                  yes
2. @Hawks            no                  no
3. @Thunder         no                  yes
4. @Celtics           no                   no

The first column has the Grizzlies opponent and where the game is being played. The second column asks whether the Grizzlies’ opponent is playing on the second night of a back-to-back. The third column asks the same question of the Grizzlies.

Starting tonight, the Grizzlies need to pick up some tough wins. They are on the second night of a back to back going against a Nuggets team that is semi-rested (there is no rested team this year). Coming off what sounded like a deflating loss, and in the midst of a four game losing streak, the Grizzlies will have a chance to show Memphis what they are made of this season. Are they still gritin’ and grindin’ while trying to make their own luck or will they fold up shop under the weight of the next four games? You never want to put too much emphasis on one game or even a series of four games. However, how the Grizzlies respond will tell a lot about these Grizzlies. Looking at it pragmatically, it is difficult to find a win against any of the next four teams (I think their best chance will be tonight against the Nuggets and in Boston). Of course, the beauty of being a fan these days is that you can unfollow #pragmaticviews whenever you want.