Grizzlies vs. Thunder: Game 2 Pregame Primer

vs.

Memphis Grizzlies (5-2, 2-2 road) vs. OKC Thunder (4-2, 3-1 home)

TV: TNT (Cox 31, HD 730);
Stream: Click here
Radio: WWLS The Sports Animal (98.1 FM, 640 AM, 97.1 FM Tulsa)
Time: 8:30 CT

Series: Grizzlies lead 1-0

View from the enemy: 3 Shades of Blue

I hate calling games a “must-win” when in reality, they aren’t must-win at all. I mean, the Thunder aren’t eliminated if they lose Tuesday.

But really, they might as well be. Lose Tuesday at home again to the Grizzlies and winning this series is near impossible. It’s not the end of the world to drop Game 1 and give away homecourt advantage. Teams survive that sort of thing. The Lakers did this season against the Hornets. Though with the way the Grizzlies seemed to dominate, Thunder fans have to be a bit anxious.

The pressure will be on in OKC Tuesday. It’s not win or go home. It’s just win at home. Or go to Memphis in big, big trouble.

Obviously there are a number of adjustments and changes the Thunder need to focus on tonight, but really, it’s just a matter of playing with more focus. Playing better. If the team that handled Denver shows up, they’ll be fine. But I think everyone can agree, the Thunder on Sunday was a different bunch.

One thing Scott Brooks has definitely mastered is the art of getting his group to bounce back. The Thunder were terrific in that regard during the regular season and in one chance this postseason, they came back well against the Nuggets.

The sense of urgency should be at an all-time high in this one. You should see a team ready to work on defense, ready to kill on the glass and ready to execute with razor sharp focus. If not, then you’ll have good reason to question players, coaches and the true maturity of this team and their ability to win now. I wouldn’t blame you.

This is a big one, which is scary being that it’s just Game 2. It’s not Game 7, but it’s basically Game 6 and a half.

Tip at 8:30 CT. Go Bounce Back.