Preview 25 of 82: Thunder @ Grizzlies
Time: 8:00 PM CT
TV: Fox Sports Oklahoma
Radio: WWLS (98.1 FM OKC / 97.1 FM Tulsa)
Game Notes: Thunder
The Oklahoma City Thunder has an 11-13 record after 24 games and coming off a rough loss to the Brooklyn Nets on Thursday night in Mexico City. Paul George and Jerami Grant are again considered questionable with the ailments that have cost them one game a piece thus far, so the Thunder might again be underhanded on the road in tonight’s game versus the Memphis Grizzlies.
The Grizzlies are off to a disappointing 8-17 start and recently fired head coach David Fizdale. The team is just 2-13 in the last 15 games, and features one of the league’s lowest scoring offenses. This means very little against a struggling Thunder squad, but there’s reason for cautious optimism headed into the 8:00 PM tip.
Injury Report
Thunder
- Paul George: Questionable — Calf
- Jerami Grant: Questionable — Hip
Grizzlies
- Mike Conley: Out — Achilles
- Wayne Seldon Jr: Out — Quad
Starting Five
- TBA
Memphis Starters: Andrew Harrison, Tyreke Evans, Dillon Brooks, JayMychal Green, Marc Gasol
Statistics
Traditional
| Team | PF | PA | REB | AST | STL | BLK | FG% | 3P% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MEM | 98.1 | 101.6 | 38.6 | 21 | 7.3 | 5.3 | 44.8 | 34.1 |
| OKC | 101.8 | 98.9 | 43.4 | 20.9 | 10.3 | 4.8 | 43.9 | 33.8 |
Four Factor
| Team | EFG% | FTA Rate | TOV% | OREB% | OPP EFG% | OPP FTA | OPP TOV% | OPP OREB% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MEM | 50.6 | 0.275 | 14.9 | 18.7 | 51.4 | 0.308 | 15.7 | 23.4 |
| OKC | 49.7 | 0.259 | 15.4 | 26.3 | 51.2 | 0.283 | 18.5 | 22.3 |
Notes
Starting Five. It’s yet to be determined if Paul George will return to action tonight, so the Thunder starting lineup is far from set. Alex Abrines drew the start on Thursday night in Mexico City, and may again receive more opportunity if Jerami Grant sits.
Slowing Gasol. Marc Gasol will be the focal point of the Memphis offense, as he leads the team in scoring, rebounding and assists. His match-up with Steven Adams will be one to watch — Adams is averaging 16.8 points and 9.4 rebounds in the Thunder’s last five games.
Dre vs Tyreke. Tyreke Evans is averaging 18 points, 4.8 rebounds and 4 assists for the Grizzlies. He will likely draw the Andre Roberson treatment tonight.
On The Glass. Memphis is the second-worst rebounding team in the league at 38.6 per game. Oklahoma City is grabbing 43.4 per night and controlling the boards would go a long way toward a winning effort.
