Two Western Conference teams at different ends of the standings face off Thursday as the Grizzlies face the Thunder in Oklahoma City. The Thunder lead the all time series 60-26, and have won 9 out of the last 10 matchups head to head.
Memphis is coming off a 108-106 win at home on Tuesday over the Timberwolves. On Friday (2/1) they lost 100-92 to the Hornets on the road, and on Sunday (2/3) they beat the Knicks 96-84 on the road.
OKC is coming off a 132-122 win over Orlando at home on Tuesday. On Friday (2/1) they beat the Heat 118-102 on the road, and on Sunday (2/3) they lost to the Celtics 134-129 in Boston.
On the season, Memphis is 24-30-1 ATS, 11-16-1 ATS on the road, and 5-4-1 ATS in their last 10 games. On the season, OKC is 30-23 ATS, 14-11 ATS at home, and 7-3 ATS in their last 10 games.
OKC averages 115.2 PPG, 48.0 RPG, 12.2 ORPG, 23.3 APG, 5.3 BPG, 10.2 SPG, and 14.2 TPG. As a team they shoot 46.2% from the field, 71.3% from the free throw line, and 35.2% from 3 point range. Defensively they allow 110.0 PPG, 45.3 RPG, 45.9% shooting from the field, and 34.5% shooting from 3 point range.
They are led by MVP candidate Paul George, who averages 28.0 PPG, 7.9 RPG, 4.0 APG, 2.3 SPG, and 0.5 BPG while shooting 45.0% from the field, 83.3% from the free throw line, and 40.6% from 3 point range. Russell Westbrook stuffs the stat sheet with 21.4 PPG, 11.0 RPG, 11.1 APG, and 2.2 SPG while shooting 41.7/64.3/24.8. Dennis Schroder chips in 15.7 PPG, 3.4 RPG, 4.2 APG, and 0.9 SPG. Steven Adams (15.3 PPG/9.8 RPG/4.6 ORPG/1.5 SPG/0.7 BPG), Jerami Grant (13.0 PPG/5.1 RPG/0.9 SPG/1.4 BPG), Terrance Ferguson (6.5 PPG/1.8 RPG/38.9% from 3), and Nerlens Noel (4.9 PPG/4.5 RPG/1.0 SPG/1.4 BPG) contribute as well.
Key Injuries
G Andre Roberson (knee) – out
Memphis averages 100.4 PPG, 40.3 RPG, 8.2 ORPG, 23.5 APG, 5.8 BPG, 8.6 SPG, and 14.1 TPG. As a team they shoot 44.9% from the field, 75.6% from the free throw line, and 34.0% from 3 point range. Defensively they allow 103.4 PPG, 44.3 RPG, 44.9% shooting from the field, and 36.2% shooting from 3 point range.
They are led by guard Mike Conley who puts up 20.4 PPG, 3.4 RPG, 6.4 APG, and 1.4 SPG while shooting 43.3% from the field, 84.6% from the free throw line, and 36.5% from 3 point range. Rookie Jaren Jackson Jr. is the de facto #2 with Marc Gasol sidelined, and Jackson averages 15.7 PPG,8.6 RPG, 4.7 APG, 1.1 SPG, and 1.2 BPG while shooting 50.8% from the field, 77.0% from the free throw line and 34.6% from 3 point range. JaMychal Green contributes 9.8 PPG, 6.1 RPG, 0.8 SPG, and 39.6% shooting from 3. Garrett Temple (9.4 PPG/3.1 RPG/1.0 SPG), Justin Holiday (8.1 PPG/3.6 RPG/1.1 SPG), Shelvin Mack (7.9 PPG/3.4 APG/0.8 SPG), and Dillon Brooks (7.5 PPG/1.7 RPG/37.5% from 3) chip in as well.
Key Injuries
C Marc Gasol (not injury related) – out
F JaMychal Green (knee) – game time decision
F Kyle Anderson (shoulder) – game time decision
Predictions: Oklahoma City is going to win this game easily.
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