Thunder sweep Grizzlies, advance to Semi-Conference Finals

OKC 117 MEM 115

For the second postseason in a row, the Oklahoma City Thunder are sweeping their way into the second round. They beat the scrappy, Ja Morant-less Grizzlies on the strength of their defense and–whodathunkit?–timely defensive playmaking and shotmaking from their star trio of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, and Chet Holmgren.

The last two games weren't as pretty as the first two. But that's also a reminder that home court advantage–which OKC possesses for the entire playoffs–is real. The Thunder won pretty, they won ugly, they extended their lead in rest against their next round opponent, and they came away healthy.

Next up: There's not much more to take away from this series against a battered and disordered Grizzlies franchise. How they size up against the higher caliber Nuggets or Clippers, however, will be plenty interesting. Oklahoma City will rest up and await the outcome of the Denver/LA series, which continues tonight (LA is up 2-1).