Thunder Gameday: OKC Returns Home Against Memphis Grizzlies

After toppling the reigning NBA Champion Denver Nuggets in a last-second win, the Oklahoma City Thunder will look to continue to ride that momentum.

It's been a difficult first 24 games of the season for the Memphis Grizzlies. 

With the absence of Ja Morant from a 25-game suspension, the Grizzlies have struggled immensely to win without him, only attaining six heading into tonight's contest. 

The pairing of Desmond Bane and Jaren Jackson Jr. have done the majority of the work, each providing over 20 points per game for their team. Jackson is also one of the best defensive players in the entire NBA, coming off his Defensive Player of the Year win last season. 

The Oklahoma City Thunder are having quite the opposite season, jumping from a Play-In Tournament team to a top three team in the Western Conference. It just defeated the defending NBA Champion Denver Nuggets on Saturday after a last-second jumper from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, a top contender for the MVP award.

Oklahoma City is heading into this game as the clear favorites, but Memphis can't be underestimated.

Ousmane Dieng (#13) and John Konchar (#46) / Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports

ODDS:

The Thunder enter the day as 10-point favorites to the Grizzlies, and the total over/under is 228.5 points.

KEYS TO THE GAME:

As mentioned before, the duo of Bane and Jackson Jr. are the most formidable aspect of the Grizzlies roster without Morant. 

Bane is averaging nearly 25 points per game this season, doing much of the heavy lifting offensively. In past seasons he's been one of the most effective 3-point shooters, but has taken a decrease in percentage due to a higher workload. 

Jackson Jr. still remains as one of the best defenders in the NBA, averaging 1.9 blocks per game and impacting the Memphis defense in all areas. It'll be another assignment that tests Chet Holmgren, but the rookie has more than held his own against the likes of Joel Embiid and Nikola Jokic in recent games. 

Behind the 2022-23 Defensive Player of the Year, Memphis has managed to still remain as a good defensive team, holding opponents to the ninth lowest field goal percentage and having the 11th lowest defensive rating in the league. It could be a challenge for the Thunder, but holding up its end defensively against a weak Grizzlies offensive can help.

RECORDS:

Oklahoma City Thunder (16-8) vs Memphis Grizzlies (6-18)

INJURIES:

Check out our live injury tracker, along with our game day injury report that will release later today.

WHEN:

Monday, Dec. 18, 2023 at 7:00 PM CT

LOCATION:

Paycom Center – Oklahoma City, OK

TV/RADIO:

Bally Sports Oklahoma, NBA League Pass, 98.1 FM The Sports Animal

FINAL WORD:

Oklahoma City has to take advantage of games where it is the clear favorite, especially if it wants to remain near the top of the West in the coming months. Memphis does have talent however, even if it hasn't put it fully together this season. 

The Thunder will stay home until they face-off against the Los Angeles Clippers on Thursday, Dec. 21 at 7:00 p.m. CT. 

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