Both teams coming off Sunday night games. OKC a home loser against the Celtics. Memphis a winner against the Timberwolves. Third game in fourth night for the Thunder who are 1-1 in games without Kevin Durant.
Memphis riding a modest two game win streak since the acquisition of Mario Chalmers from the Miami Heat. OKC 6-4, Memphis almost back to .500 at 5-6 after a very slow start to the season. Addition of Chalmers gives the Grizz an interesting compliment of guards in Mike Conley, Tony Allen, Courtney Lee and Chalmers.
Marc Gasol, Zach Randolph and Mike Conley have all started slowly for the Grizz this season. Memphis entered last game with the worst field goal percentage in the NBA at 40.4%. Former Thunder forward Jeff Green now a starter for the Grizzlies.
Thunder are 1-1 since Durant’s hamstring injury with a win over the woeful 76’ers and a home loss to the improving Boston Celtics. OKC’s bench was a virtual no show in the loss to Boston. Anthony Morrow, who has attempted to replace Durant in the starting lineup, was good against the 76’ers, but out of his league against the quicker, more talented Boston guards.
Without Durant—this could be an even uglier game for the Thunder as they’ve shot 36.4% their last three meetings against Memphis. For Westbrook the numbers are even worse at 27.5% from the field against the Grizzlies in the last three.
One of the West’s best rivalries in OKC-Memphis, but tonight OKC is without Kevin Durant in uniform which could make it a tough night for the Thunder.
Chalmers has scored 11 and 16 points respectively in his two games to date wearing a Memphis jersey. OKC’s bench of Kanter, Waiters, Augustin, Collison and Singler weren’t very good against the Celtics. OKC’s bench will have to invert that trend of play if they have any hope of getting a road win in Memphis tonight. Serge Ibaka comes off a decent game against the Celtics, while some pick and roll offense from Steven Adams needs to happen tonight to give Westbrook more playmaking options.
Durant rumored to be back a bit earlier than originally expected which is a good thing because OKC has been wildly erratic in the two games since his hamstring strain. Simple pregame talk for OKC, play better, play smarter, move the ball and don’t stand around watching Russell Westbrook try to beat Memphis by himself.