The 2014–15 Memphis Grizzlies season was the 20th season of the franchise in the National Basketball Association (NBA) and the 14th season since the team relocated to Memphis, Tennessee. Under first‑year head coach David Fizdale, the Grizzlies posted a 55–27 regular‑season record, finishing second in the Southwest Division and earning the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference.
Team Overview
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Head Coach | David Fizdale (1st season) |
| General Manager | Chris Wallace |
| Owner | Robert Pera |
| Home Arena | FedExForum |
| Regular‑Season Record | 55 wins – 27 losses |
| Division Placement | 2nd in Southwest Division |
| Conference Placement | 2nd seed, Western Conference |
Key Players
- Zach Randolph – Power forward; averaged 17.1 points and 9.4 rebounds per game; selected to the 2015 NBA All‑Star Game.
- Marc Gasol – Center; averaged 14.0 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 2.5 blocks per game; also selected to the 2015 NBA All‑Star Game.
- Mike Conley Jr. – Point guard; averaged 11.5 points and 6.2 assists per game.
- Mike Miller – Small forward/shooting guard; contributed 11.0 points per game.
- Jordan Hill – Reserve forward/center; provided 6.9 points and 5.0 rebounds per game.
Regular Season Performance
- The Grizzlies began the season with a 5‑2 record and maintained a winning percentage above .650 for most of the campaign.
- Memphis recorded a 15‑0 home record in March 2015, the longest home winning streak of the season.
- The team’s defense was ranked 5th in the NBA by points allowed per game (96.8).
- Injuries to forward Andre Iguodala (traded to the Warriors in February) and later to guard Tyreke Evans limited depth but did not affect the core rotation.
Playoffs
- First Round (Western Conference): Memphis defeated the Portland Trail Blazers 4‑2. Key performances included a 24‑point, 12‑rebound effort by Zach Randolph in Game 4.
- Western Conference Semifinals: The Grizzlies faced the Golden State Warriors and were swept 0‑4. The series highlighted the Warriors’ rising three‑point efficiency and the Grizzlies’ struggle to contain Stephen Curry’s perimeter shooting.
Transactions
| Date | Transaction | Details |
|---|---|---|
| July 1 2014 | Free‑agent signing | Re‑signed Zach Randolph to a 4‑year, $87 million contract. |
| July 9 2014 | Trade | Acquired forward Chandler Parsons from the Houston Rockets (later waived). |
| February 19 2015 | Trade | Traded forward Andre Iguodala to the Golden State Warriors for future draft considerations. |
| February 19 2015 | Trade | Acquired forward Ryan Anderson from the Orlando Magic in exchange for Luke Ridnour and draft picks. |
| February 19 2015 | Trade | Acquired forward Quincy Pondexter from the New Orleans Pelicans for a 2016 second‑round pick. |
Awards and Honors
- NBA All‑Star Selections: Zach Randolph (Western Conference), Marc Gasol (Western Conference).
- NBA All‑Defensive Second Team: Marc Gasol.
- NBA All‑NBA Third Team: Zach Randolph.
Season Summary
The Grizzlies’ 55‑win campaign represented a franchise‑record high at the time and reaffirmed Memphis as a consistent playoff contender. The team’s identity centered on a physical, defense‑first style, often referred to as “Grit‑N‑Grind.” Despite a strong postseason showing in the first round, the Grizzlies were unable to advance past the Western Conference semifinals, concluding the season with a 55‑31 overall record (including playoffs).
