Thunder vs Grizzlies: Pregame Primer

Ryan Woods -

vs.

Thunder (23-23, 10-16 road) vs. Grizzlies (34-12, 20-5 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

After two full days off the Thunder is back at it tonight in Memphis to take on the second-place team in the West. A year ago the Grizzlies went without Marc Gasol for a 23 consecutive games and it forced this group to back into the playoffs as the 7-seed. This Grizzlies team has been one of the healthiest groups in the NBA and it’s led to an extremely successful first half of the season.

Speaking of health, it looks like Kevin Durant will play tonight, after missing the previous two games with a sprained toe on his left foot. Durant participated in parts of shoot around and is listed as a game time decision.

Mike Conley, who missed the last two games with a wrist injury, is listed as probably for tonight’s game, while veteran swingman Vince Carter is out tonight and will be reevaluated in a week. Carter injured his left foot in the Grizzlies win over the Nuggets on Thursday.

3 Big Things.

1. KD. What can the Thunder expect from Durant after two more games in a suit? This year has felt like a yoyo with KD in and out and in and back out of the lineup, but we’ve also seen Durant come out hot after being out.

Tonight he’ll see a heavy dose of Tony Allen, and old-teammate Jeff Green. It goes without saying what tonight’s game would mean for this team, and to get it OKC has to get a solid night on both ends from Durant. His leadership on the court in a hostile environment will also be as important as his play. For better or for worse, this team goes as its stars go, simple as that. And this Grizzlies team requires the Thunder’s sharpest effort.

2. Gasol and Z-Bo. In previous games, Brooks likes to have Serge’s length and speed guarding Gasol and Adams size and strength on Z-Bo. These two are the heart and soul of this team and have both been taking turns playing incredible basketball. Randolph has played some of his best ball over the last two weeks and will give Adams a big test on the block. Perkins will likely see extended minutes given his history of successful defense on Randolph and Gasol.

3. Hit 3’s. Broken record right? Of all of the Thunder problems that have been discussed in the last 72 hours and 72 months, the biggest on-court issue is the lack of reliable and consistent range shooting. If your basketball team can’t hit 3’s in 2015 it’s time to reevaluate. The Grizzlies have been in a similar position over the last few years and have brought in various players to try and fix the problem. The team that has success behind the line tonight will likely take this game, and boy does it need to be the Thunder or what?

Wednesday’s COTN: “Remember when Perry had a 32pt game a few months ago. Me neither.” – @International Man of Mystery

I think history (basketball reference) erased it.

Tip at 7. Go fix it.

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