On Thursday, 3/27, the Oklahoma City Thunder (60-12) will host the Memphis Grizzlies(44-28) in a Western Conference Regular-Season match-up. The Thunder are seated firmly at the top spot in the West, while the Grizzlies are barely holding on to the 4th spot. Will the Thunder crush yet another team? Read through the preview, total predictions, and player props here.
Thunder: Title favorites?
The Oklahoma City Thunder will march into this game after a thumping 16-point win against the Sacramento Kings as Shai-Gilgeous Alexander stacked up 32 points. They have tailored a seven-game winning streak and haven’t lost more than one game in a row since a short-lived two-game losing streak way back in mid-November. This alone proves their dominance, and they are by far the most consistent team in the deep West.
Their +/- of +12.9 indicates that no one compiles more blowout wins than them. They are the best two-way squad, scoring 119.8 points per game(4th) while conceding just 106.9 PPG(2nd). The Thunder looks like the NBA championship favorites and can storm their way out of the West.
Expected Starting Lineup
PG: Shai-Gilgeous Alexander | SG: Luguentz Dort | SF: Kenrich Wiliams | PF: Chet Holmgen | C: Isaiah Hartenstein
Key Injuries/Updates: The status of Aaron Wiggins, Cason Wallace, and Jalen Williams is UNCLEAR.
Grizzlies: A messy March
The Memphis Grizzleis enter the affair after a 37-point blowout win against the Utah Jazz as Desmond Bane put up 21 points in a balanced scoring effort. It broke a three-game losing streak, and they are 2-4 in the last six games while holding a 6-7 record in March. They have missed Ja Morant recently, and they are just 15-13 without him this season. Thus, the team desperately needs their ace back in the mix.
Their scoring has been down a bit this month, as they have accumulated 117.8 PPG(8th) compared to the season average of 122.1(2nd). Meanwhile, their defense has taken a huge dip, too, conceding 119.1 PPG(8th worst). Memphis is on a downward turn, which doesn’t bode well because they have a tough schedule to finish the season.
Expected Starting Lineup
PG: Scotty Pippen Jr. | SG: Desmond Bane | SF: Jaylen Wells | PF: Santi Aldama | PF/C: Jaren Jackson Jr.
Key Injuries/Updates: The status of Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. is UNCLEAR. Brandon Clarke is OUT for the season.
The Thunder have scored 120+ in four of the last five games, whereas the Grizzlies have also gone past the mark regularly throughout the season. But Thunder’s defense is leaps and bounds ahead of Memphis. They have given up 100-107 points in seven straight games, implying their top-notch defense. I expect them to shut down Grizzlies around 110 and score 125+.
Shai-Gilgeous Alexander to score over 33.5 points: SGA has tallied 35 PPG in March, scoring 32 or fewer points in four straight games. In this game, I expect him to hit his month’s scoring average.
Isaiah Hartenstein to grab over 11.5 rebounds: The Thunder’s big man has clasped 9.7 rebounds per game this month, which is 1.4 RPG below his season’s mark. However, I expect him to clear 12-14 rebounds here.
Desmond Bane to be held under 19.5 points: The Grizzlies guard has put up 22 PPG in March, which is above his season’s average as he had to do extra scoring without Morant. I expect Thunder to contain him under 20.
Scotty Pippen Jr. to dish over 5.5 assists: The Grizzlies’ high-energy athlete has accumulated 4.9 assists per game this month, dishing 5 or more assists in five of the last six games. I expect him to repeat similar heroics here.
The Thunder is the most ruthless team in the league by a long margin. They dispose of their opponents quickly and leave no chance for comebacks. The Grizzlies need Morant back, or they may stand no chance against OKC. I believe SGA and co. will be unstoppable on their home floor and may bury Memphis by 10+ points.
Safe Spread Pick: Thunder -11.5 for +105 at BetMGM
Photo Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images
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