The Western Conference foes will meet Sunday night when Memphis visits Oklahoma City. The Grizzlies (22-42 SU, 31-33 ATS) lost at home to Atlanta on Friday, 99-92, as +3.5 underdogs. The Thunder (44-19 SU, 38-25 ATS) beat Miami on Friday, 107-100, as -8.5 favorites at home. The Paycom Center opening announcement is scheduled for 7:10 a.m. EST.
Memphis continues to sink
Friday’s loss ended a brief two-game winning streak for the Grizzlies, who have now lost six of their last eight games while sitting at 13.th place in the Western Conference. Over their last five games, the offense has averaged 101 points per game and this season they have scored a league-low 106 points per game. Memphis’ offense is shooting 43.8 percent from the field and 34.7 percent from three-point range, making 13.3 threes and 16.1 free throws per game. They turn the ball over 14.2 times per game and their assist-to-turnover ratio of 1.66 ranks 28th.th generally. Jaren Jackson Jr. led the team in scoring for a second straight game Friday night with 21 points on 8-19 shooting from the field. The Memphis guard also led the team with nine rebounds while adding three assists, three steals and two blocks.
On the defensive side, the Grizzlies have allowed their opponents to score an average of 112.3 points per game, the ninth-best mark in the league. Teams are shooting 47% from the field against them and 37.8% from beyond the arc. Opponents are also hitting Memphis for 13.2 three-pointers and 17.2 free throws per night. The Grizzlies are averaging 41.9 rebounds per game, 25th in the NBA, and they have a rebound differential of -3.9. Their defense also provides 7.8 steals and 6.3 blocks per game. Jackson is 11 years oldth in the league with 1.6 blocks per game this season, to go with 1.1 interceptions.
Oklahoma City gets comfortable at the top
The Thunder continue to roll, winning two straight and nine of their last 11 as they comfortably lead the Western Conference by a half-game over Minnesota. They have gone 3-2 SU in their last five games and have scored 115 points per game during that stretch. This season, OKC’s offense is scoring 120.8 points per night, fourth-best in the NBA, and is shooting 50 percent from the field and 39.3 percent from three-point range. They are making 13.3 threes and 18.1 free throws per game and the Thunder are making just 11.5 turnovers, the second-best mark in the league. Their assist-to-turnover ratio of 2.15 ranks fourth overall. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the scoring for a ninth straight game, scoring 37 points for a second straight game. During that stretch, the Thunder guard averaged 35.4 points per game and his 31.2 points per game average on the year is second-best in the NBA.
The Thunder defense gives up 113.2 points per night, 12th in the NBA, and teams are shooting 45.3% from the field and 36.4% from beyond the arc against them. Opponents are averaging 13.5 three-pointers and 18.5 free throws per game against the Thunder. Their 41.6 rebounds per game are 27th in the league and led to a rebound differential of -3.5. Oklahoma City’s defense also chipped in with 8.3 steals and 6.8 blocks per game. Gilgeous-Alexander leads the league with 2.1 steals per game, along with 5.6 rebounds and one block.
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Best Bets
Full Game Side Bet
Rating:
These two have only met once this season, with the Thunder coming away with a 19-point victory as a -10.5 favorite at home. Oklahoma City enters this one with a strong wind at its back, as the Grizzlies continue to collapse. Memphis is 2-5 SU in its last seven road games, with all five losses by an average margin of 14.8 points per game. Of their last nine victories, the Thunder have only won two by more than 15 points. That’s a big ask, but they managed to pull it off the last time they faced the Grizzlies at home. The Thunder are 21-10 ATS at home this year, the second-best mark in the NBA according to TeamRankings.com. They are also 3-0 ATS in their last three games and 5-2 ATS in their last seven against Memphis.
Take the Thunder.
Prediction: Oklahoma City -15
Total choice of the complete game
Rating:
The first meeting resulted in a total of 213 points between the teams, making a total of 228.5. Things were adjusted accordingly for the rematch. In terms of pace, DunksandThrees.com ranks OKC eighth overall while Memphis comes in at 19th, making this game a more mid-tempo affair that we can be sure won’t turn into a shootout . The Grizzlies only scored 92 points in their last game, the second time in their last five games that they have scored that exact amount. In its last ten games, Memphis has scored less than 100 points in half of them. The Thunder’s offense has been down lately and they have scored 112 points or fewer in three of their last six games. The under has hit in the last four meetings between these teams.
Take the bottom.
Prediction: Under 221
