Grizzlies vs. Thunder: Pregame Primer
vs.
Memphis Grizzlies (17-19. 6-13 road) vs. OKC Thunder (24-13, 13-6 home)
TV: FSOK (Cox 37, HD 722, Tulsa Cox 27, DirectTV 679, UVerse 754)
Stream: Click here
Radio: WWLS The Sports Animal (98.1 FM, 640 AM, 97.1 FM Tulsa)
Time: 7:00 CT
Offensive Rating: Thunder – 108.8 (9th), Grizzlies – 105.7 (18th)
Defensive Rating: Thunder – 107.1 (16th), Grizzlies – 105.0 (12th)
Pace: Thunder – 93.2 (12th), Grizzlies – 93.4 (9th)
View from the enemy: 3 Shades of Blue
A chance at redemption. For a lot of parties involved. Jeff Green, for not grabbing a rebound and getting abused by Zach Randolph. Kevin Durant, for six turnovers and a questionable shot with time ticking out. And really the entire team for playing what felt like a lackadaisical game that didn’t include much focus.
Memphis coming in: The Grizzlies are actually playing probably their best basketball of the season right now. They’ve won three straight, with the wins coming against the Lakers, the Thunder and the Jazz. They last played Friday.
THE MATCHUPS
Nothing has really changed since the last time. Jeff Green can’t get dominated inside by Zach Randolph. Marc Gasol can’t be a huge factor against Nick Collison, Nenad Krstic and whoever else. And the Thunder’s got to control Rudy Gay to some degree.
Oh, and don’t let Tony Allen punch you in the face with 19 points randomly.
Other than that, last week’s game is pretty fresh. Mike Conley is pretty good, O.J. Mayo should play and OKC needs Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant to play well. Not really a grand scientific formula here.
The game will probably be decided for the Thunder on the defensive end in two ways: 1) getting stops and 2) getting the rebound that comes after the stop.
Tip at 7:00 CT. Go Go.
