Grizzlies-Thunder set to be intense battle in the West
Most every meeting between the Grizzlies and the Oklahoma City Thunder gets a bit chippy, and we can look forward to some intense play tonight.
#RiseAndGrind #GrizzNation, it's #MEMvOKC Gameday! Join us at Lafayette's (Overton sq) > #Grizz Official Watch Party pic.twitter.com/81Bw42OwKc
— Memphis Grizzlies (@memgrizz) February 11, 2015
The Thunder have been looking better as of late, especially now that they have both Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook back, but the Grizzlies look even better. Stopping the Grizz has proven difficult for most teams all season long, and the Thunder will have their work cutout for them tonight.
This game comes on the heels of a Grizzlies’ win versus the Brooklyn Nets and Memphis now sits at 39-13. The Grizz are proving to be strong title contenders, and thus far their greatest enemies have been themselves. Sloppy play has really been the only major factor–outside of injuries–that has hurt the Grizzlies this season. So how will they look tonight against the Thunder?
Key player to watch on the Grizzlies: Marc Gasol
Marc should have a field day with both Steven Adams and possibly Kendrick Perkins out for the Thunder. If there is one thing that OKC has lacked over the years it’s a dominant post presence, and not having Adams makes them even weaker. Gasol should have free reign in the post, but should be weary of elite defender and shot blocker Serge Ibaka.
Sir Charles In Charge
Who to look out for on the Thunder: Russell Westbrook
It feels as though the past few times I’ve seen an OKC box score I’ve seen Westbrook with a stat-line of 40-10-10, or something close to that. Russell has been on a tear, and the Grizzlies are going to need to contain him. Mike Conley is obviously an elite defensive guard, but Westbrook has a considerable size advantage on him. Having Gasol in the post should help stop some of his penetration.
Who comes away with the win?
This one should go the Grizzlies’ way. The Thunder are far from great this year, and they have some injured big men too. Mitch McGary recently played very well for them, but he’s nothing that Memphis can’t handle. Look for Zach Randolph to tandem with Marc Gasol down-low and dominate the paint as well.
This is also a homecoming of sorts for Jeff Green, as he played with Durant and Westbrook on the Thunder earlier in his career. Hopefully he can light-up the scoreboard as well when the Grizzlies look to snag a win in OKC.