Preview 59 of 82: Thunder @ Grizzlies

Time: 7:00 PM CT

TV: Fox Sports Oklahoma

Radio: WWLS (98.1 FM OKC / 97.1 FM Tulsa)

The Oklahoma City Thunder (32-26) is in Memphis tonight for a showdown with the Grizzlies (18-37). It is the second time the teams will face off in less than a week, as the Thunder took a 110-92 victory just three days ago at Chesapeake Energy Arena.

Tonight will be the last game for the Thunder before the All-Star break — a welcomed opportunity to stop and re-gather before the stretch run of the regular season. OKC remains in fifth place in the Western Conference, but is only a half-game up on sixth and seventh place, a full game ahead of eighth, and just a game and a half up on ninth. Getting a win tonight in Memphis and then getting to the break is important.

A look at the current standings:

Tip-off is at 7:00 PM CT and the game will be televised on Fox Sports Oklahoma. The Thunder is currently a 7-point favorite according to OddsShark.

Injury Report

Thunder

Andre Roberson: Out – Knee

Grizzlies

Mike Conley: Out – Achilles
Wayne Seldon: Out — Knee
JaMychal Green: Questionable — Illness
Chandler Parsons: Questionable — Knee

Probable Starters

Grizzlies: Mario Chalmers, Tyreke Evans, Dillon Brooks, JaMychal Green, Marc Gasol

Statistics

Traditional

Four Factors

Synergy Sports

Click to Enlarge

Thunder O & D

Grizzlies O & D

Previous Results

12/9: OKC 102, MEM 101 [BOX SCORE]

2/11: OKC 110, MEM 92 [BOX SCORE]

Notes

The Big Men. The Grizzlies are led by big man Marc Gasol, who’s averaging 17.9 points and 8. rebounds per game. On the opposite side, Steven Adams is coming off a monster 22 point, 17 rebound performance last night against the Cavs. Gasol has put up 18 PPG & 6 RPG on 45 percent shooting in two match-ups with Adams this season. OKC has gone 2-0 in those games, with Adams carrying a 15 PPG & 9 RPG average on 58 percent from the field.

The Gang is All Here. The Thunder scored a 110-92 victory over the Grizzlies on Sunday night, doing so without Russell Westbrook and Carmelo Anthony. Both men will be back in action tonight — furthering the Thunder’s chances of taking a 3-0 advantage in the season-series.

Paging Alex Abrines. Alex Abrines has been extremely inconsistent lately, scoring 16 points on Sunday versus the Grizzlies, then following that up with no points last night against the Cavs. He’s averaging 18 PPG against the Grizzlies this season, shooting 10/15 (66 percent) from downtown in the process. He’s not trustworthy most of the time but he’s got a prayer tonight in Memphis.

Jerami Grant Rising. Jerami Grant is averaging 13 PPG in February, shooting 60 percent from the floor and 37.5 percent from downtown. Billy Donovan is beginning to lean heavily on the 23-year-old forward and a weak Thunder bench could use some more of that production tonight.

Break on a High Note. After the loss last night, Carmelo Anthony said “it’s showtime” for the Thunder after the All-Star Break — as if the first 58 games have been some form of practice period. OKC needs to beat a bad Grizzlies tonight in Memphis and hit the break with a little momentum. Using a little bit of that “showtime” in this one is advised.