The prize for dispensing of the Grizzlies is a journey back to the 90s and up the postseason ladder to face Houston, interstate rivals of yesteryear.
The Rockets are a multi-armed offensive monster, built to force opponents into the worst kind of Choose-Your-Own-Adventure scenario. With every James Harden pick-and-roll or hesitation dribble, defenses are faced with a medley of unsavory choices: fight through a screen and you could end up goaded into a three-point shooting foul or watch helplessly as The Bearded One volleys a lob to a rolling big man; give him space and forfeit an open jumper or allow him to gain steam on the way to the basket.