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The Memphis Grizzlies will want to take their chances when they face the Oklahoma City Thunder, likely missing Kevin Durant, on Thursday afternoon (AEDT). Join The Roar for live scores from the game, starting at 1:30pm (AEDT).
The Thunder are one of the league’s best offenses this season and that makes them a great match-up against the Grizzlies who are one of the better defences in the competition.
However, with Kevin Durant likely to miss for the Thunder, their offensive capabilities will take a hit, and that could be the deciding factor in this game.
Durant missed the Thunder’s most recent game, a 14-point loss at home to the Sacramento Kings and the Thunder could be in for a similar assault from a team lower on the table today with Durant likely still sitting on the sidelines.
That said the big problem for the Grizzlies is their own offense. Even when they manage to restrict their opponents to low totals the question still remains as to whether or not they are capable of outscoring them. They’ve averaging a league-low 94.8 points per game since December 3.
The Thunder are third in the Western Conference going into the match, a fair way behind the top two in the Golden State Warriors and the San Antonio Spurs, and just keeping the Los Angeles Clippers at bay in fourth. They’ve got a 24-11 record, 16-5 at home, but only 3-4 without Durant.
The Grizzlies on the other hand are in sixth with a 19-17 record, 8-11 on the road. They’re not too far behind the Dallas Mavericks and a win today would help them to keep putting pressure on the teams above them to perform.
The two sides have met twice so far this season, both times at Memphis, for an eight-point win to the Grizzlies in November, and a 37-point win to the Thunder in December. Durant scored 32 points in the latter.
Prediction: The Thunder at home probably still head in as the favourites but after that poor performance against the Kings at home, we’ll tip their woes to continue, unless Durant makes a surprise return. Grizzlies by 2.
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