The Oklahoma City Thunder (6-2) take a two-game win streak to Memphis tonight as they take on the Grizzlies (6-2) in the first game of a back-to-back. The Thunder will return home tomorrow to host the Washington Wizards (4-4).
After two blowout losses on the road, the Thunder defeated the Cavs in consecutive games—the first in Cleveland on Monday and the second in OKC on Wednesday—and it feels like they are figuring out how to manage missing so many key players. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 42 and 43 points in those two matchups, and while he will certainly have to carry the offensive load on any given night, he is receiving some help from some unexpected sources.
Ajay Mitchell is averaging 17.8 points per game so far this season, and he has put up at least 20 points in 4 of his last 5 outings. His production isn’t all that surprising, though, as he has shown a solid upward trend over the last couple of seasons. Rookies Aday Mara and Bennett Stirtz, however, are contributing in major ways. In his last 5 games, Mara has averaged 8.6 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 2.4 blocks in 22.8 minutes per game. In the same timeframe, Stirtz has averaged 10.2 points in 22.6 minutes per game.
Defensive rotations continue to be an area that needs work, which is understandable considering who all the Thunder have lost to injury, but newcomer Micah Peavy has done a solid job in his limited minutes off the bench. Alex Caruso came back from his sprained ankle injury on Wednesday against the Cavaliers, and his presence was immediately felt, as he made plays on both ends of the floor.
Despite holding a 16-game winning streak over the Grizzlies (regular season and playoffs included), Memphis won’t be a pushover for OKC. Former Thunder player Ty Jerome is having an outstanding season, averaging 27.4 points and 5.3 assists per game so far. Rookie Cameron Boozer is already making an impact, averaging 16.5 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 5.4 assists per game. Limiting those two guys in particular will be key to a Thunder win.
Because this is the first game of a back-to-back for OKC, head coach Mark Daigneault will probably try to manage everyone’s minutes with tomorrow’s games in mind. Above everything, the Thunder need to keep everyone currently available as healthy as possible. It’d also be nice if Thomas Sorber and Nikola Topic could make their season debuts sometime soon.
The Grizzlies play a fast-paced style of basketball, and they like to put up a lot of shots. On the flip side, they turn the ball over at a high rate. The Thunder need to focus on limiting open shots and creating chaos on defense. If they can force turnovers, perhaps they can get out in transition and score, an area they have struggled with so far this season. Stay healthy, continue to play the right way, get the win, and get back home in one piece. That’s the goal.
Game Details
Tip-Off: 7 PM CT
Location: FedExForum (Memphis, Tennessee)
Television: Thunder+, KSBI OKC, KQCW Tulsa
Radio: WWLS 98.1FM OKC The Sports Animal
Twitter: Follow @ZacharyLowNBA for live tweets and discussion during the game
Game Notes: Oklahoma City Thunder Official Game Notes, Memphis Grizzlies Official Game Notes
Projected Starters
Thunder
- PG: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
- SG: Jared McCain
- SF: Ajay Mitchell
- PF: Kenrich Williams
- C: Isaiah Hartenstein
Grizzlies
- PG: James Harden
- SG: Donovan Mitchell
- SF: Meleek Thomas
- PF: Evan Mobley
- C: Jarrett Allen
Injury Report
Thunder
- Chet Holmgren (right knee patellar tendinitis) is OUT.
- Thomas Sorber (right knee surgery) is OUT.
- Nikola Topic (low back surgery) is OUT.
- Cason Wallace (left shoulder labral tear) is OUT.
- Jalen Williams (left ankle fracture) is OUT.
- Jaylin Williams (lower back spasms) is OUT
Grizzlies
- Scotty Pippen Jr. (lumbar disc herniation) is OUT.
- Isaiah Stewart (right knee bone bruise) is OUT.
Head-to-Head
- Since arriving in Oklahoma City in 2008, the Thunder are 39-23 against the Grizzlies (22-9 at home, 15-14 on the road) in the regular season and 13-10 in the playoffs (8-5 at home, 5-5 on the road).
- Since arriving in Oklahoma City in 2008, the Thunder have won the regular season series against the Grizzlies 11 times, lost it 6 times, and tied it once.
- The Thunder went 4-0 against the Grizzlies last season (2-0 at home, 2-0 on the road).
- The Thunder have won 16 straight games against the Grizzlies (regular season and playoffs), including 8 straight at FedExForum.