Game #25 Preview | Memphis Grizzlies

The Thunder GuysDecember 9, 2017 No Comments

Tip-Off: 8 PM CT

Location: FedExForum (Memphis, Tennessee)

Television: FSOK, NBA TV

Radio: WWLS 98.1FM OKC The Sports Animal

Twitter: Follow @TheThunderGuys for live-tweets during the game

Playing in only the sixth regular-season NBA game ever in Mexico City, the Oklahoma City Thunder wanted to impress international fans, and after getting off to another great start, they fell apart in the end to drop an eighth consecutive road game to the Brooklyn Nets. Tonight, the Thunder will look to get back on track in Memphis against the Grizzlies.

After starting the season at 5-1, the Grizzlies have come unglued, losing 16 of their last 19 games. Oklahoma City and Memphis have had some storied matchups over the last decade, but the teams appear to be going in different directions, despite the Thunder’s lackluster efforts so far this season. Tonight should be yet another defensive battle, as both teams hold their opponents to low scoring, but Oklahoma City will need to get something going offensively and continue to try to find rhythm and build chemistry.

Projected Starters

Thunder

  • PG: Russell Westbrook
  • SG: Alex Abrines
  • SF: Andre Roberson
  • PF: Carmelo Anthony
  • C: Steven Adams

Grizzlies

  • PG: Tyreke Evans
  • SG: Ben McLemore
  • SF: Dillon Brooks
  • PF: JaMychal Green
  • C: Marc Gasol

Injuries

Thunder

  • Paul George (right calf contusion) is out.
  • Jerami Grant (left hip contusion) will play.

Grizzlies

  • Tyreke Evans (right hip soreness) is questionable.
  • Mike Conley (left achilles) is out.
  • Wayne Selden, Jr. (right quad) is out.
  • Brandan Wright (right groin) is out.

Head-to-Head

  • Since arriving in Oklahoma City in 2008, the Thunder is 19-15 against the Grizzlies (11-5 at home, 8-9 on the road) in the regular season.
  • In nine seasons, the Thunder has won the season series with the Grizzlies six times and lost it three times.
  • Oklahoma City has won three matchups in a row against Memphis and five of the last six.
  • This is the first of four meeting between the Thunder and the Grizzlies.
  • Russell Westbrook tied a career-high eight three-pointers made against the Grizzlies last season on April 5, 2017, in Memphis.
  • Steven Adams played a career-high 44 minutes and had a career-high 10 offensive rebounds against the Grizzlies last season on February 3, 2017, in Oklahoma City.

Game Notes

  • The Thunder lost to the Brooklyn Nets 95-100 in Mexico City on Thursday, while the Grizzlies lost at home 107-116 last night to the Toronto Raptors.
  • Oklahoma City is 4-6 in the last ten games, while Memphis is 1-9.
  • Oklahoma City is 6-9 against the Western Conference, while Memphis is 8-9.
  • Oklahoma City is 5-8 in games when they have one day of rest, while Memphis is 1-2 in back-to-backs.
  • Oklahoma City has lost eight consecutive road games, while Memphis has lost nine of its last 10 home games.
  • Both Oklahoma City and Memphis are in the bottom seven in the league in points per game, but they are both in the top six in the league in opponent points per game.
  • Both the Thunder and the Grizzlies are in the bottom four in the NBA in three-point percentage.

Be sure to check out our most recent segment of “Thunder Things with the Thunder Guys.”

Article written by Zack Low. Follow @TheThunderGuys on Twitter & Instagram, and give us a like on Facebook.

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