NBA Playoff Preview: Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Memphis Grizzlies
Second Round: Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Memphis Grizzlies
The second round of the NBA playoffs is about to get underway with some intriguing matchups ahead. One matchup that wasn’t thought to be possible or even happen in the second round was the Memphis Grizzlies taking on the Oklahoma City Thunder.
With the Grizzlies making easy work of the Los Angeles Clippers in the first round winning in six games, Memphis proved to be a force to be reckoned with once again in the postseason avenging last season’s series loss to Chris Paul and company.
This time around, the Grizzlies have been able to impose their will on the defensive end of the floor. Memphis has been one of the best defensive teams in the league all season long and that has carried over into the postseason with Defensive Player of the Year Marc Gasol leading the way for the Grizzlies.
As for the Thunder, superstar forward Kevin Durant has had to shoulder the load for Oklahoma City with perennial All-Star point guard Russell Westbrook going down with a season-ending knee injury. Durant has played as expected in the absence of his teammate Westbrook, but the All-Star’s presence has been sorely missed over the last few games against the Houston Rockets in the first round.
Although the Thunder are still favored to win the second round series with the Grizzlies in Las Vegas odds, this may be Memphis’ coming out party with Zach Randolph, Mike Conley and Gasol leading this team into the Western Conference Finals.
This series will be an all out battle between these two teams, but in the end, Memphis will come out on top in six games. The Grizzlies won the season series against the Thunder and their dominance over Oklahoma City may continue in the playoffs.