OKC Thunder: 3 keys vs. Grizzlies feature trade deadline auditions
Tonight marks the last game the OKC Thunder will play prior to the trade deadline as they face the Memphis Grizzlies. It’s the third and final meeting between the clubs this season with the victor owning the season series.
While the Thunder aren’t seeking to fill up the win column preferring a better lottery position the Grizzlies are the polar opposite wanting to get back into the playoffs. In spite of that fact, Memphis possesses a single extra victory but has played three fewer matches due to the games that were postponed early in the season due to COVID-19.
The Thunder have won two games in-a-row (the Rockets and Wolves on consecutive nights). Notably, OKC improved to 5-5 on second games of back-to-back sets. In the latter match, OKC was missing Luguentz Dort, Al Horford, Darius Bazley, George Hill, and Josh Hall. Darius Miller and Mike Muscala were healthy scratches (ie: coaches decision DNP).
OKC winning so much in spite of who dresses is becoming a running joke in national columns. In the ESPN power rankings this week Royce Young said “OKC could start two members off its PR staff and probably still be competitive.”
Intentions had noted in a prior column the ball boy and four end of bench players could suit up and give the opponent a run for their money. To reiterate another common refrain — while OKC losing would help obtain better draft positioning, the fact the Thunder winning culture is fully entrenched is a good problem to have.
The Grizzlies are also on a mini two-game win streak and have won three of their last four. Those three wins occurred against the Heat, Warriors, and Celtics in overtime– impressive wins. All three victories occurred in Memphis, but like OKC, the Grizzlies play well on the road (9-7).
OKC Thunder key no. 1 – Perimeter prowess
In the two prior meetings between the clubs, the Thunder shot lights out from the perimeter. February 17th, OKC hit 19 triples shooting 46.3 percent. In the March 14th match, the Thunder shot a blistering 51.6 percent from deep hitting 16 of 31 attempts.
On the season, the Thunder rank 23rd in 3-point efficiency shooting 35.1 percent. They rank 13th on makes with 13 per game (on 37.0 attempts).
In the two games versus Memphis, the Thunder hit above their average (19 and 16 made triples) at a much higher efficiency, Part of the reason OKC has succeeded from deep versus Memphis is they pack the paint ranking sixth for the fewest opponent points scored in the paint so OKC has simply taken the shots the Grizzlies give them.
Speaking of the perimeter – – one player who could be a benefactor of this scenario is our next key to key …