Who: Memphis Grizzlies (5-0) vs Oklahoma City Thunder (1-4)
When: Friday, November 7th, 7:00 PM CST
Where: Chesapeake Energy Arena, Oklahoma City, OK
Watch and Listen: ESPN, 92.9 FM, 680 AM
Discuss: 3SOB on Twitter / 3SOB Forum
Photo: Mark D. Smith / USA Today Sports
The Scoop:
No Kevin Durant. No Russell Westbrook. No Jeremy Lamb. Can this really be considered a revenge game for the Grizzlies first round exit last season? Hell, absolutely it can! After a resounding victory over the Suns Wednesday night, I’d love few things more than to see the Grizz stomp out Oklahoma City for their sixth straight win to start the year.
Projected Matchups:
Mike Conley vs Reggie Jackson
Mr. Reggie Jackson was a serious force to be reckoned with in a pivotal game four against the Grizzlies last time we saw him, as he poured in a monster 32 points en route to a Thunder victory. From there, he assumed a greater role in Oklahoma City’s counter-attack to what the Grizz had to offer, by feasting off the fact that the Grizzlies had bigger fish to fry and their hands full trying to contain Westbrook and Durant. Now, in an unfortunate turn of events for our friends over in OKC, this is his show to run for the time being. He’s responded well thus far, pitching in 23 points in one contest and 14 assists in another. Mr. Conley has picked up his play in spite of a nagging ankle, and should be able to hold Jackson down being that he doesn’t have to worry about the two big names that will be gracing the Thunder bench tonight in suits.
Advantage: Memphis
Courtney Lee vs Jeremy Lamb
If we’re talking about sheer 2014-15 impressions, no Grizzlies player has blown my mind for the better quite like Courtney Lee in this limited sample. Lee has looked every bit the player that he was when the Grizz first acquired him back in January. And then some. The key for him will be to avoid tapering off over time the way that he did when he finished out last season. If all goes according to plan on the OKC end, he should be squaring off against Jeremy Lamb, who is expected to make his season debut tonight after missing the first few games with a bad back.
Advantage: Memphis
Tony Allen vs Lance Thomas
With Perry Jones recently having joined Durant and Westbrook on the bench as he nurses the bruised knee that he suffered earlier this week. The Thunder cannot catch a break in the luck department, and it shows when Lance Thomas is likely to receive the spot start. Before the season I would have expected Tony Allen to have this game circled for sure. Now, I’m not so certain.
Advantage: Memphis
Zach Randolph vs Serge Ibaka
This should be a dynamite matchup. Typically a defensive specialist cog of the highest order, Serge Ibaka is now being called upon in Oklahoma City to step outside his box and be “the guy” for this ailing Thunder team. While it has yet to translate to team success, Serge has been rock solid through the first five, most recently putting down 25 and 11 on just 14 shots against the Raptors. He’s a real danger if we sleep on this team. The good news for us is that he plays for the team that kicked our boys out of the dance this summer, so sleeping on them will absolutely not be an issue.
Advantage: Oklahoma City
Marc Gasol vs Steven Adams
Why hello there Steven Adams. One of the more rapid risers among the ranks of players unconditionally detested by 99.9% of the Grizzlies’ fan base, Adams has kicked off his sophomore campaign as the rightful starter for the Thunder at the center position. Now me, I’m out of my mind and I actually kind of like the guy. I met the New Zealander the day before he was drafted, and asked him why he liked Marc Gasol. He replied with “Just his skill level. Just what he does, you know what I mean? He passes the ball real well, he just does whatever he wants, but he’s just the man.” Yes Steven, Marc Gasol is the man.
Advantage: Memphis
Off the Bench:
Seeing as the Thunder bench has for the most part been elevated into the starting lineup, there’s not much to talk about here on their side of things. Only three guys came off the bench in their last outing against Toronto, and given that Perry Jones and Andre Roberson sat out practice yesterday, it’s tough to really tell what kind of depth they’ll be working with tonight. In other words, as long as the Grizzlies’ bench doesn’t go out there and set itself on fire, this matchup should defer to the home team by default. That being said, watching this bench has been a doozy so far.
Advantage: Memphis
Links for Further Reading:
Has the Oklahoma City Thunder’s Time Really Come?, Steve Danziger, 3 Shades of Blue
For Thunder, a Cruel World without Durant and Westbrook, Ken Berger, CBS Sports
*All statistics have been harvested from stats.nba.com unless otherwise noted.