Game #57 Preview | Memphis Grizzlies

The Thunder GuysFebruary 11, 2018 No Comments

Tip-Off: 6 PM CT

Location: Chesapeake Energy Arena (Oklahoma City, OK)

Television: FSOK

Radio: WWLS 98.1FM OKC The Sports Animal

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

The Oklahoma City Thunder has struggled to win games as of late, and now they are dealing with injury issues. Andre Roberson was declared out for the season a couple of weeks ago, but over the last week, Russell Westbrook and Carmelo Anthony have been fighting to recover from sprained ankles. Without the duo, the Thunder were dominated by the Lakers 106-81 on Thursday, and the two are questionable for today’s matchup with the Grizzlies.

The Thunder knocked off the Grizzlies in Memphis is a thrilling 102-101 overtime game on December 9th, and since then, the Grizzlies have not improved much. In that time span, Memphis has gone 10-19, and they are nowhere near playoff contention.

Oklahoma City is one game back in the loss column of moving up to the fourth spot in the Western Conference, but they are also only one game ahead of the Clippers in the loss column of falling to the ninth spot. Every game matters, especially at this point in the season, and the Thunder could really use some momentum going into the All-Star Break this weekend.

Projected Starters

Thunder

  • PG: Raymond Felton
  • SG: Josh Huestis
  • SF: Paul George
  • PF: Patrick Patterson
  • C: Steven Adams

Grizzlies

  • PG: Andrew Harrison
  • SG: Dillon Brooks
  • SF: Jarell Martin
  • PF: JaMychal Green
  • C: Marc Gasol

Injuries

Thunder

  • Russell Westbrook (sprained ankle) is OUT.
  • Carmelo Anthony (sprained ankle) is OUT.
  • Andre Roberson (rupture left patellar tendon) is OUT.

Grizzlies

  • Mike Conley (left heel) is OUT.
  • Chandler Parsons (right knee soreness) is OUT.
  • Deyonta Davis (left/right knee soreness) is OUT.

Head-to-Head

  • Since arriving in Oklahoma City in 2008, the Thunder is 20-14 against the Grizzlies (11-5 at home, 9-9 on the road).
  • Since arriving in Oklahoma City in 2008, the Thunder has won the season series against the Grizzlies six times and lost three times.
  • This is the second of four meetings between Oklahoma City and Memphis.
  • The Thunder is 1-0 against the Grizzlies so far this season (0-0 at home, 1-0 on the road).
  • The Thunder will travel to Memphis to play the Grizzlies on Wednesday, February 14th.
  • The Thunder has won four matchups in a row against the Grizzlies and six of the last seven.
  • Steven Adams tied a career-high 12 free throw attempts against the Grizzlies on December 9, 2017, in Memphis.
  • Alex Abrines made a career-high six three-pointers as he scored a career-high 20 points against the Grizzlies on December 9, 2017, in Memphis. He played a career-high 43 minutes in that game.

Game Notes

  • Oklahoma City has lost five of the last six games, while Memphis has lost five in a row.
  • Oklahoma City is 5-5 in the last 10 games, while Memphis is 2-8.
  • Oklahoma City is 19-9 at home, while Memphis is 5-20 on the road.
  • Oklahoma City is 16-17 against the Western Conference, while Memphis is 15-20.
  • Oklahoma City is 7-3 in games coming off of two days of rest, while Memphis is 0-2 in games coming off of three days of rest.

Be sure to check out this week’s episode of “Thunder Things with the Thunder Guys.”

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

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