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Ja Morant<\/a> recently sat down with Malika Andrews<\/a> of ESPN to discuss the Memphis Grizzlies\u2019 place in the Western Conference hierarchy. <\/p>\n Memphis (19-11) is second in the West behind the Nuggets, who have a similar record. Morant is averaging 27.0 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 7.8 assists per game on 45.4 percent shooting from the field and 34.6 percent beyond the arc. Morant has done a lot of heavy lifting, with Desmond Bane<\/a> still missing in action because of a sprained big toe<\/a> he suffered in November.<\/p>\n That said, Morant is confident in Memphis\u2019 place within the NBA hierarchy. The 2022 All-Star told Andrews that he believes the Boston Celtics (22-9) are the team to beat and the main team the Grizzlies will have to run through in order to win a championship. When the NBA Today host asked about the Western Conference, Morant said, \u201cI\u2019m fine in the West.\u201d<\/p>\n The strong words come a season after the Grizzlies finished second in the West<\/a> and lost a six-game second-round series to the eventual champion Warriors. The Southwest Division winners gave the Warriors a run for their money, but a Morant knee injury<\/a> and the championship DNA of the Warriors were too much for the Grizzlies. <\/p>\n Through it all, the \u201922 playoff run was marked by plenty of jaw-jacking, hard-nosed defense, and remarkable shotmaking from a Grizzlies team looking to burst through the championship scene<\/a>. Memphis will look to exorcise those demons this season and make it to the Conference Finals and possibly beyond, with the Warriors facing some trouble with their win-and-develop-now approach<\/a> to the season. <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n