NBA 2K21 simulation for Memphis Grizzlies at Oklahoma City Thunder

The Memphis Grizzlies picked up a huge win against the Boston Celtics on Monday night and they hope to extend their win streak to three tonight against the Oklahoma City Thunder. The last time these two teams faced, the injury-riddled Thunder still managed to upset the Grizzlies, 128-122.

The Thunder are looking to extend their win streak to three themselves, getting wins on the road in Houston and Minnesota this week. The Thunder also look forward to starters Al Horford and Luguentz Dort getting back on the court tonight as well.

With the Memphis Grizzlies taking the loss the last time these teams faced, what does NBA 2K21 say this time around?

In the first 12 minutes of play, both teams started off hot offensively, but the Grizzlies held the lead at the buzzer, 33-30. The Thunder kept the game close due to their presence at the free-throw line, shooting 8/11 from the stripe, compared to the Grizzlies’ 2/5. The Grizzlies led in almost every other category, including field goals made (14) and three-pointers (3) made.

In the second quarter, the Grizzlies stumbled out the gates and by halftime, the Thunder led 61-56. In the second, the script was flipped, as the Thunder led in almost every category themselves, including all aspects of shooting. The Thunder bench was the difference-maker, outscoring the Grizzlies’ bench 16-10 in the second.

By the half, it was evident that star Thunder point guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was keeping them in this game, as he had 27 points at the half. Nobody else on the Thunder had more than seven.

The third quarter looked very similar to the first as both teams were hot offensively, each putting up 34 points, keeping the Thunder in the lead, 95-90. Both teams shot over 55% from the field and more than 85% from the charity stripe in the third. As far as defense was concerned, there was only one forced turnover the entire quarter.

Defense was certainly an afterthought for both of these teams this game. The fourth quarter was no different. The game came down to the wire, but the Thunder took the close win at home, 131-126. Late-game turnovers along with a couple of missed shots ruined the Grizzlies’ chance of a comeback. Jonas Valanciunas was the most prominent force for the Grizzlies in the simulation.

Here are some of the key statlines from the simulation:

Memphis Grizzlies (126 points, 46 rebounds, 30 assists, 7 steals, 2 blocks, 52% FG, 32% 3PT, 83% FT)

Starters

PG: Ja Morant (32 minutes) – 13 points, 2 rebounds, 9 assists, 1 steal, 3/8 FG, 0/2 3PT, 7/8 FT

SG: Grayson Allen (28 minutes) – 7 points, 1 rebound, 3 assists, 2/7 FG, 1/3 3PT, 2/2 FT

SF: Dillon Brooks (31 minutes) – 19 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals, 1 block, 8/22 FG, 3/9 3PT

PF: Kyle Anderson (29 minutes) – 22 points, 10 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, 10/11 FG, 2/2 FT

C: Jonas Valanciunas (33 minutes) – 28 points, 12 rebounds, 1 assist, 11/16 FG, 6/7 FT

Key Bench Performers

Brandon Clarke (22 minutes) – 12 points, 7 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 1 block, 6/9 FG

De’Anthony Melton (14 minutes) – 6 points, 2 rebounds, 3 assists, 2/3 FG, 2/2 FT

Justise Winslow (20 minutes) – 5 points, 2 rebounds, 5 assists, 2/6 FG, 1/2 3PT, 0/2 FT

Oklahoma City Thunder (131 points, 32 rebounds, 29 assists, 8 steals, 6 blocks, 55% FG, 35% 3PT, 84% FT)

Starters

PG: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (41 minutes) – 43 points, 4 rebounds, 10 assists, 16/20 FG, 1/3 3PT, 10/12 FT

SG: Theo Maledon (32 minutes) – 18 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 steals, 7/13 FG, 1/3 3PT, 3/4 FT

SF: Luguentz Dort (12 minutes) – 3 points, 0/1 FG, 3/3 FT

PF: Aleksej Pokusevski (26 minutes) – 11 points, 2 rebounds, 3 assists, 2/8 FG, 2/5 3PT, 5/6 FT

C: Al Horford (34 minutes) – 18 points, 10 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal, 4 blocks, 8/14 FG, 2/5 3PT

Key Bench Performers

Ty Jerome (24 minutes) – 13 points, 4 assists, 1 steal, 5/6 FG, 3/3 3PT

Isaiah Roby (21 minutes) – 9 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 blocks, 2/5 FG, 0/2 3PT, 5/6 FT

NBA 2K21 simulation prediction record before game vs. OKC: 1-2