Thunder vs Grizzlies: Pregame Primer

vs.

Thunder (42-33, 15-23 road) vs. Grizzlies (51-24, 28-9 home)

TV: ESPN
Stream: Click here
Radio: WWLS The Sports Animal (98.1 FM, 640 AM, 1300 AM The Buzz Tulsa)
Time: 7:00 CT

Offensive Rating: Thunder – 107.2 (11th), Grizzlies – 105.8 (14th)
Defensive Rating: Thunder – 105.0 (14th), Grizzlies – 102.5 (3rd)

Russell Westbrook’s 10th (!!!) triple-double was spoiled by another head-scratching loss to the Dallas Mavericks. The offense was fantastic: open shots, ball-movement, extra passes, three-pointers, everything. It was another reminder of this team’s offensive potential and how scary it will be when the planet’s best bucket-getter is back. But more than anything this loss magnified the defensive flaws in the current personnel.

Let’s be clear about the opponent as well — Dallas ranks third in the league in points per game with 104.5, and can score with anyone. It was the perfect storm of two teams that simply couldn’t guard each other playing out a game that pushed 270 combined points.

Tonight should look awfully different as the Grizzlies, a team touted for its stifling defense, often struggles to score — reaching 100 points in only five of its last 26 games. The recent skid has dropped Memphis to 3rd in the West behind Golden State and now the Houston Rockets.

The Thunder have plenty to play for as they continue to try and lock up the 8th and final playoff spot in the West and sit just 1.5 games a head of New Orleans (@ Sacramento tonight). With Houston and San Antonio coming up, this would be a massive tick in the W column.

3 Big Things

1. Kanter vs. Gasol

*Shutters

This is frightening to say the least, and something I kan’t (#sorrynotsorry) see lasting very long. Marc Gasol — you ready for this? — he’s the best center in the league and has been for about the last two and a half seasons. Putting Kanter on him and saying your prayers may not be OKC’s best option tonight. Gasol not only scores well on the low block, he all but runs their offense 15-18 feet away from the basket. I can’t think of a professional NBA player less equipped to defend all of that action than Enes Kanter.

Enter Mitch McGary. I know, I know, he had zero points and six fouls in 14 minutes last go ’round. But tonight he could be one of the biggest reasons the Thunder have success if he plays well. Defensively he’s a slight upgrade from Kanter and has the foot speed to close out on Gasol.

We’re obviously dealing with the lesser of two evils here, but McGary could have a big impact on this game.

Adams (who’s valiantly giving it a go tonight despite spraining his right ankle late in the Dallas game) will also see time on Gasol, but will start on Zach Randolph. Randolph is also banged up. He’s dealing with a pesky elbow injury but is scheduled to go tonight.

2. Westbrook

Russ had success against the Grizzlies back on Feb. 11, as the Thunder — with Durant — controlled that game from the jump. But Memphis hasn’t made it easy on Westbrook. He’s totaled 38 points on 9-31 shooting in his two games against the Grizzlies this season.

Westbrook has to be the driving force and most audible voice for improving the perimeter defense. If he can bottle up early actions with Gasol and not force Kanter or Adams to have to switch out on guards then OKC has a shot at seeing its defense improve.

Tony Allen is OUT tonight dealing with a hamstring that kept him out of Memphis’ last two games. That means more Mike Conley and Courtney Lee for Westbrook. Russ got Courtney Lee in early foul trouble in the last meeting and it brought Nick Calathes out early than usual. More of that?

3. Bench

The Thunder bench needs to play a big role tonight, not just as a stabilizer but a force that takes control of the game. D.J. Augustin continues to play well finding teammates and hitting 3’s. The more he can get in the lane and force the defense to collapse the better. McGary and Morrow are two that need to have positive stretches as well. Morrow is coming off a season-high 32 against Dallas and is stuck on automatic. Let’s see if Russ and D.J. can find him some more looks.

Wednesday’s COTN: “Lamb on the bench imagining how it must feel to be Morrow” – @RazvanThunder

poor candyman :(

Tip at 7:00. Go Need This One.