OKC Thunder seek to end 7-game losing streak: Grizzlies preview
Key Stats for OKC Thunder and Memphis Grizzlies:
Entering this match the Grizzlies had a range of upper and lower placement in the big three statistical categories. Memphis ranks 12th on offense (109.1) overall, dead last (30th) defensively with a 113.7 rating, and that combination results in a 25th rated net differential with a minus -4.6 net rating.
Notably, the two recent wins had a major impact on the Grizzlies’ stats with their renewed defensive focus.
The OKC Thunder has a similar situation although in the reverse beginning the week ranked 30th offensively (99.3) in the middle defensively with a 13th ranking (106.6), and just below the Grizzlies in 27th for net differential (-7.3).
Scoring:
The Grizzlies score 110.0 per game ranking ninth overall. At week start the Grizzlies allowed a league-worst 116.4 points but with the renewed defensive focus noted above they’ve already lowered that mark to 114 which is no small feat given there were already 19 games in the books.
The Thunder ranks dead last in scoring with 98.5 points and allows opponents to score 105.8 points per game ranking 12th.
Rebounding:
On the glass, the Grizzlies grab 47.4 rebounds per game ranking which ranks third overall. Offensively, Memphis pulls down 13.0 boards which rank third overall.
OKC continues to lead the league in rebounding with 47.7 boards per game and 10.3 offensive boards per match ranking 14th.
Dime dishers:
The Grizzlies dish 25.0 dimes per match ranking sixth while the Thunder dish 20.2 assists which is the worst assist per game ranking in the association.
Perimeter:
The Grizzlies ranks in a tie for 20th from beyond the arc shooting with an efficiency of 33.4 percent while the Thunder shoots 30.5 percent to rank 29th.
Turnovers:
Memphis protects the ball better than most clubs with13.5 turnovers per game ranking 10th while the Thunder are in the middle of the league with 14.1 miscues per game (tied with the Nets in 14th).
Miscellaneous Categories:
Memphis excels in the miscellaneous offensive categories ranking in the top three of three different categories including scoring in the paint, in transition on the break, and via second-chance scoring.
Two things contribute to this with the Grizzlies bigs doing a great job of cleaning the glass and Ja Morant showing no concern about who is trying to protect the rim or block his path.
- Points off turnovers: 17.0 – rank 11th
- Second Chance points: 16.3 – rank second
- Fast Break points: 15.6 – rank tied third
- Points in the paint: 53.6 – rank second
Not surprisingly, the Grizzlies don’t fair as well defensively given how poorly they played on that end prior to Morant’s injury. It’s important to note the renewed focus seems to be concentrated on the paint where they’ve jumped seven spots in two games from 27th to 20th.
That doesn’t mean the Thunder shouldn’t attack the paint and more importantly, Memphis hasn’t mastered transition defense so whenever possible the Thunder should look to get out in the fast break.
- Points off turnovers: 16.1 – rank tied for 17th
- Second Chance points: 13.1 – rank 19th
- Fast Break points: 13.6 – rank 24th
- Points in the paint: 47.0 – rank 20th
NOTE: stats were taken on December 1st from NBA official site prior to games played on Wednesday so there will be slight fluctuations.