Grizzlies' grit 'n' grind won't die

Not many people picked the Memphis Grizzlies as world-beaters this season. The exits of the team's longtime "Grit 'n' Grind" catalysts in Tony Allen and Zach Randolph - along with general roster fatigue in an ever-strengthening conference - have many predicting the franchise's first playoff-free season since 2010.

And, yes, it's still very early. But as of Monday night, the 3-0 Grizzlies have convincing wins over the Golden State Warriors and Houston Rockets.

Monday's comeback in Houston featured a 23-7 fourth-quarter run to win the game 98-90, and featured some loss of composure by opposing stars - much like in their victory over the Warriors on Saturday. Two nights after Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant were ejected against Memphis, James Harden became highly irritated with Mario Chalmers.

There's a long way to go this season - 79 more games to be exact - but Memphis is still well-buoyed by its franchise cornerstones. Marc Gasol and Mike Conley went for 26 and 17 points, respectively, Monday, with both going a combined 19-for-19 at the foul line. Where they've lost longtime cogs, players like Chalmers, second-round pick Dillon Brooks, and journeyman James Ennis have stepped up.

"Every time we're against a team like this, we have to treat it like a playoff game," Chalmers said Monday, according to the Grizzlies.

Sounds like the Grit 'n' Grind's gone nowhere.

A home-and-home, back-to-back against the 0-4 Dallas Mavericks awaits Wednesday and Thursday, and while that's not ideal scheduling, a 5-0 Memphis squad looks quite possible.