Thunder vs Grizzlies: Pregame Primer

vs.

Grizzlies (39-13, 16-8 road) vs. Thunder (26-24, 15-8 home)

TV: FS Oklahoma
Stream:  Click here
Radio:  WWLS The Sports Animal (98.1 FM, 640 AM, 1300 AM The Buzz Tulsa)
Time: 7:00 CT

Offensive Rating: Thunder – 105.5 (16th), Grizzlies  – 107.8 (10th)
Defensive Rating: Thunder – 103.8 (11th), Grizzlies – 102.2 (5th)

That’s now five straight games where Oklahoma City has looked like the team we’ve come to know over the last few years. It’s bounced back from what looked like a crippling loss to the Pelicans on Friday and now sits just one game back of Phoenix for the 8 seed.

The last night the Thunder didn’t look quite right? Jan. 31 against tonight’s opponent — The Memphis Grizzlies. Memphis has won 14 of its last 16 games (including an impressive win over the Atlanta Hawks) and is on pace for its first 60-win season in franchise history.

After starting 3-12 the Thunder has a chance to reach three games over .500 for the first time this season behind this recent stretch of 4 out of 5. Since Nov. 23 the Thunder is 24-14, which is the eighth-best record over that time.

Tonight’s game feels like a game that would validate everything that’s been brewing for this team over last few games. The confidence that OKC would carry into the All-Star break with a win tonight would be off the charts. It’s Thunder-Grizzlies from the Peake. Here we go.

3 Big Things

1. Scoring. The Thunder is averaging 114.8 points in the last 5 games and has gotten huge nights from its stars. Westbrook won WC Player of the Week averaging 34ppg, 9apg and 9rpg. And Kevin Durant just poured in 40 points on a career-high tying 7 three-pointers. Mitch McDouble has registered two double-doubles in his first two games as part of this rotation. All that to say — scoring has come easy to this group over the last 9 days.

In the Jan. 31 loss to Memphis the Thunder was held to just 74 points, while Durant tried to play through a lingering toe injury. Memphis can put the clamps on teams like no one else in the league. So much of their success stems from a defense that allows a league-low 95.6 points and just 86.5 over its current 10-1 stretch.

Not to oversimplify this matchup or this sport, but the Thunder has success against this team when it plays harder and faster and doesn’t allow Memphis to be the aggressor on either end. Go take a look at the first half of Game 1 from April’s playoff series. The Thunder came out with so much energy it crippled the defense that would ultimately give OKC fits over the next two weeks. That level of intensity and passion for the game and each other is what Thunder fans have been calling for all season and it’s starting to reappear the healthier this team gets.

2. Westbrook. Here’s a random stat: Russell Westbrook averages more points on Wednesday (30.8 in 6 games) than any other day of the week. But in his only contest against the Grizzlies this year he had 14 points on 5 of 16 shooting. When he plays well against the Grizzlies, OKC becomes so much tougher to guard and almost impossible to beat.

Mike Conley does a solid job defensively on Russell, but trying stop Russ over the last couple of weeks has been darn near impossible. This matchup tonight, especially early on, will dictate tempo and which team is able to get the game to a pace that it likes.

3. Bigs on Bigs. Y’all know the story, Memphis has the best front court in the game and they challenge the Thunder mightily on both ends. Zach Randolph went for 21 and 18 against the Thunder on Jan. 31. Perkins, who was great against Denver, will see a lot of time on Z-Bo tonight and his effectiveness one way or the other will have a lot of say as to who wins this game.

Mitch McGary continues to impress, and even told reporters today he’s working to get all the way in shape so he can play “non-stop motor.” Tonight McGary’s minutes will be against Kosta Koufos and Jon Leuer.

McGary’s energy seems to be contagious for Reggie Jackson. He has looked a lot more “springy” over the last few games while on the floor with Mitch and the two seem to be looking for each other on both ends. This isn’t a good thing — it’s a great thing.

Monday’s COTN: “Players with at least 15 and 10 in 2 of their first 4 career games (really Mitch’s first 2 games): Tim Duncan, Shaq, Alonzo Mourning, David Robinson, Patrick Ewing, Mitch McGary” – @Mitchamania

#BEEFPUNCH

Tip at 7:00. Go 28-25.

Ryan Woods captains the Pregame Primer ship for DT. Follow him on twitter here.