Oklahoma City Thunder look to secure sixth seed against Memphis Grizzlies

Previewing the battle for the sixth seed: Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Memphis Grizzlies

One night after making history, Russell Westbrook will have a chance to break it on Wednesday when the Oklahoma City Thunder take on the Memphis Grizzlies.

While all eyes will be on Westbrook and his quest to set the single season triple-double record, the Thunder as a team can’t lose sight of the bigger picture. The Grizzlies sit just 2.5 games back of OKC in the race for sixth. A Memphis victory would not only pull them a game closer, it would also mean a split between the two teams in the season series, leaving it to division or conference record to determine who gets sixth should the two teams end up with the same record.

Basically, OKC should go ahead and win this game to almost ensure that they finish no worse than sixth in the conference.

Build Off Tuesday

Lost in Westbrook’s 41st triple-double was the fact that the Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the Milwaukee Bucks by 31-points. It was a much-needed victory on their home floor. The team had lost back-to-back games at home, first blowing a 21-point lead to the San Antonio Spurs and then showing no effort or energy against the Charlotte Hornets. It was also much-needed because the game against Memphis is the beginning of a four-game road trip for the team.

OKC is 16-21 away from The Peake. Memphis is the only current playoff team they’ll see on the trip, but it wouldn’t be unlike the Thunder to lose to teams that they shouldn’t lose to on the road.

Tuesday’s game showed how good this team can be when everything is clicking. Offensively, that obviously starts with Russell Westbrook, but defensively that starts with simple effort. When the Thunder are communicating on defense and are crisp with their rotations, they can be a tough team to score on. They have length and athleticism at every position amongst the starters. Westbrook and company only combined for 45 points against the Bucks. Yet, they were +21 as a group average because they prevented the Bucks from scoring.

That defensive effort hasn’t shown up since the first half of the Spurs game, but it’s a necessity against Memphis. While the Grizzlies don’t have a high-powered offense, they bring a defensive intensity every night that must be matched if you want to compete with them.

Don’t Chase

Westbrook has five tires to record one triple-double. It’s safe to assume that he’s going to do it. That’s why it’s important for him not to chase it in what is likely the most important game left in the season.

By this, I’m mainly talking about assists. The points are going to come and the rebounds will be there more often than not, but the assists is something he can force when he doesn’t need to. We’ve all seen Westbrook pass out of what appears to be an easy lay-up for a more difficult shot underneath the basket by one of his bigs.

Russ is at his best when the game is flowing and he’s not forcing difficult passes just to try and create an assist. When he does that, it leads to turnovers and guys forcing shots because they feel obligated to convert.

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If it doesn’t happen against Memphis, it doesn’t happen. A win is far more important than the 42nd triple-double. Typically, the triple-double and wins go hand-in-hand. So, what am I talking about. Chase the triple-double and hope that the referees end the game and award OKC the victory when it happens.

Back-To-Back

The Grizzlies played an overtime game against the San Antonio Spurs on Tuesday night. Mike Conley left the game and is questionable for tonight. Tony Allen may or may not play. Marc Gasol played for the first time in five games against the Spurs. If Gasol and Zach Randolph play, the Grizzlies will be a handful as always. But the Oklahoma City Thunder had the benefit of some extra rest at the end of the Bucks games and should look to take advantage of a tired and banged up Memphis group.

We all know how bad OKC is on the second game of a back-to-back. They are 4-7 overall and a poor 2-7 when the second game is on the road. Memphis is 9-5 in the second game of a back-to-back. However, they started the year 7-0, which means they are just 2-5 in their last seven back-to-back games.

The back-to-back excuse is out the window for OKC in this game. Memphis is at home, but they had to travel from San Antonio and played in overtime. It’s possible that the Thunder arrived in Memphis before the Grizzlies given departure and travel times.

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Wednesday is a chance for OKC to not only make history, but to make a statement as well.

Rotations:

Presumed OKC Thunder Starters:

Point Guard: Russell Westbrook
Shooting Guard: Victor Oladipo
Small Forward: Andre Roberson
Power Forward: Taj Gibson
Center: Steven Adams

OKC Thunder Reserves:

Guards: Norris Cole, Semaj Christon
Wings: Doug McDermott, *Alex Abrines, Jerami Grant, Kyle Singler, Josh Huestis
Bigs: Enes Kanter, Domantas Sabonis, Nick Collison

Injuries: Alex Abrines is listed as a game time decision, but expect the Thunder to exercise patience with his sprained knee.

Memphis Grizzlies Starters:

Point Guard: *Mike Conley or Wade Baldwin IV
Shooting Guard: *Tony Allen or Vince Carter
Small Forward: James Ennis III
Power Forward: Jeff Green
Center: Marc Gasol or Brandan Wright

Memphis Grizzlies Reserves:

Point Guard: Wade Baldwin IV, Andrew Harrison, Toney Douglas
Shooting Guard: Vince Carter, Troy Daniels
Small Forward: James Ennis, JaMychal Green
Power Forward: Zach Randolph, Deyonta Davis, Jarell Martin
Center: Brandan Wright

Injuries and notes:

The Grizzlies are limping into the end of the season. Several players are either injured, nursing an injury, out for the season (Parsons), or are questionable for tonight.

Marc Gasol returned after a 5 game absence due to a foot injury but will the Grizzlies hold him out in a back-to-back scenario?
Mike Conley (eye) left Spurs game with eye injury is listed as day to day
Tony Allen (eye) – expected to be out til today, so possible for tonight
Chandler Parsons (knee) out for season

Game Specifics:

Recent History: The Thunder hold a slight advantage of 18 to 14. In the past three seasons the teams have split games.

The Venue: FedExForum, Memphis, Tennesee

The Tip: 7:00 PM CT (8:00 PM ET)

TV: FS Oklahoma HD

NOTE: Though not scheduled on NBA TV there remains the possibility NBA TV may decide to air the game Nationally given the possibility of Westbrook capturing the record. If not they will likely cut to the game if Westbrook gets within range. Alternatively, they may re-air the game on Thursday afternoon in it’s entirely.

Radio: WLS 98.1FM OKC / 930AM (ESP)

Next up the Oklahoma City Thunder finish the week facing the Suns in Phoenix on Friday and Nuggets in Denver on Sunday.

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