Oklahoma City Thunder At Memphis Grizzlies Preview: Scoring Will Be Top Priority For Grizzlies

All season long the concerns surrounding the Memphis Grizzlies have been the same as in years past: the shooting just isn’t up to par.

The team has the third-worst three-point shooting percentage in the NBA at 29.1 percent and the second-worst points per game average at 93.4. The Grizzlies have always struggled connecting on deep balls, but never have they been this bad at simply putting the ball in the basket.

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Those concerns are behind the team at least for a moment in the 114-106 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday. Mike Conley specifically had a great offensive performance, scoring 20 points on 7-of-14 shooting from the field including 4-of-6 from three-point range.

After the game, Conley was optimistic that the win could be a turning point in the team’s recent collective slump.

“Obviously we’ve had guys who have been in some slumps, and as a group collectively we haven’t shot the ball well,” Conley told reporters. “To finally get out there and see a couple go in, because we know we’re shooters. We’ve been in this league a long time and we’ve made our names with what we do. We just have to stay aggressive.”

Now all eyes will be on the Grizzlies as they take on the Oklahoma City Thunder, a team that’s tied for 22nd in the league in opponents points allowed at 104.1 points per game.

Offensively, the Thunder will be without Kevin Durant due to a hamstring injury leaving a lot more pressure on the shoulders of Russell Westbrook, who struggled to score efficiently against the Boston Celtics in the team’s loss on Sunday. Westbrook was 5-of-20 from the field, so he will be looking to bounce back against Memphis.

The match-up to watch will be Westbrook against Conley, as each will be responsible for initiating their team’s offenses and being the primary scoring options.

The x-factor in the game might be newly acquired Grizzlies point guard Mario Chalmers. Chalmers has had double-digit outings in his last two games with the Grizzlies, including a 16-point performance against the Timberwolves.

Head coach Dave Joerger should look to shake-up a few of his lineups and play Conley and Chalmers next to each other to take advantage of having two ball-handlers and shooters on the floor.

As long as Conley can show up and have a performance similar to what he did against Minnesota and Marc Gasol is more active in calling for the ball in the post, then Memphis is capable enough to get the win at home, especially with the Thunder being down Durant.

Prediction: Thunder 92 Grizzlies 96