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There will be no shortage of star power when the Oklahoma City Thunder and Memphis Grizzlies tip off their first-round series Sunday in the NBA Playoffs.
It'll be NBA MVP favorite Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren leading the the Thunder, the team with the best record in the NBA (68-14).
Awaiting OKC is Ja Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr. and the Grizzlies.
The Thunder has won nine straight in the series, but what will be the four biggest keys for OKC to win the first-round series?
MUSSATTO: How OKC Thunder went from rebuilder to NBA playoff contender in dizzying speed
One of the more notable reasons for Memphis’ offensive success this season has been its pace, which ranked no. 1 in the NBA through the regular season (103.69).
For reference, Oklahoma City’s pace rounds out the top-five, making up 19.2% of the team’s possessions, per Synergy. The Grizzlies’ transition opportunities make up 24.1% of their possessions.
If the Thunder’s identity holds up, it should pose issues for Memphis. It finished the season with the best fast break defense in the league. The Grizzlies will lean into drives and attempt to rule the whistle, a variable that could be out of OKC’s hands.
But if it can limit transition play, as well as keep Ja Morant’s decision making mostly limited to the halfcourt, the Thunder could be cutting a major artery in the Memphis offense.
—Joel Lorenzi, Thunder beat writer
More: Will OKC Thunder win NBA title? See our round-by-round predictions for 2025 NBA Playoffs
The Grizzlies are elite at drawing fouls. The Thunder, as you might have heard, is not.
Keeping the free-throw count close will be a key for the Thunder in this series.
Memphis ranks second in free throws attempted per game (23.3) and second in fouls drawn per game (20.3). The Thunder is 26th in free throw attempts per game and 23rd in fouls drawn. OKC does however make the most of its trips to the foul line, leading the league in free throw percentage (81.9%).
Both Memphis and OKC are frequent foulers. They committed the second-and sixth-most fouls in the league.
We know how impenetrable the Thunder’s defense is, but it will have to be extra disciplined so as to not give away free points to the Grizzlies.
—Joe Mussatto, columnist
More: All-NBA team predictions: Will any OKC Thunder players join Shai Gilgeous-Alexander?
The Grizzlies will be without Jaylen Wells, their best perimeter defender who suffered a broken wrist in a scary fall earlier this month. Who takes over the defensive duty on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander remains to be seen, but all of the Thunder's perimeter players could see even more opportunities than they had in the four games that OKC swept against Memphis during the regular season.
Last we checked, guys like SGA and Jalen Williams seem to know what to do when given opportunity.
The perimeter will be key since the Grizzlies seem to match up more favorably on the interior. They counter Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein with Jaren Jackson Jr. and Zach Edey. Now, Hartenstein had his way on the glass in a Feb. 8 win, grabbing 14 rebounds, and Holmgren is getting back into game shape more every day after that hip injury. But the sledding inside looks to be much tougher than on the perimeter in this series.
—Jenni Carlson, columnist
CARLSON: Jalen Williams made big strides for Thunder, but next ones need to come in NBA Playoffs
Memphis has one of the NBA's best offenses, but its biggest weakness on that end of the floor is ball control.
The Grizzlies are averaging the third-most turnovers per game (15.7), which isn't a winning formula against the Thunder.
OKC ranks first in turnovers forced per game (17), and it has plenty of defenders who can get into passing lanes. From Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to Jalen Williams to Cason Wallace to Alex Caruso, the list is long.
If the Thunder can capitalize on the Grizzlies' turnovers, it'll be in a good position to win this series.
—Justin Martinez, sports trending reporter
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Thunder vs Grizzlies playoff keys: Can Ja Morant, Memphis upset OKC?
Continue reading...
It'll be NBA MVP favorite Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren leading the the Thunder, the team with the best record in the NBA (68-14).
Awaiting OKC is Ja Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr. and the Grizzlies.
The Thunder has won nine straight in the series, but what will be the four biggest keys for OKC to win the first-round series?
MUSSATTO: How OKC Thunder went from rebuilder to NBA playoff contender in dizzying speed
Limit Grizzlies’ transition success
One of the more notable reasons for Memphis’ offensive success this season has been its pace, which ranked no. 1 in the NBA through the regular season (103.69).
For reference, Oklahoma City’s pace rounds out the top-five, making up 19.2% of the team’s possessions, per Synergy. The Grizzlies’ transition opportunities make up 24.1% of their possessions.
If the Thunder’s identity holds up, it should pose issues for Memphis. It finished the season with the best fast break defense in the league. The Grizzlies will lean into drives and attempt to rule the whistle, a variable that could be out of OKC’s hands.
But if it can limit transition play, as well as keep Ja Morant’s decision making mostly limited to the halfcourt, the Thunder could be cutting a major artery in the Memphis offense.
—Joel Lorenzi, Thunder beat writer
More: Will OKC Thunder win NBA title? See our round-by-round predictions for 2025 NBA Playoffs
Keep the Grizzlies off the free-throw line
The Grizzlies are elite at drawing fouls. The Thunder, as you might have heard, is not.
Keeping the free-throw count close will be a key for the Thunder in this series.
Memphis ranks second in free throws attempted per game (23.3) and second in fouls drawn per game (20.3). The Thunder is 26th in free throw attempts per game and 23rd in fouls drawn. OKC does however make the most of its trips to the foul line, leading the league in free throw percentage (81.9%).
Both Memphis and OKC are frequent foulers. They committed the second-and sixth-most fouls in the league.
We know how impenetrable the Thunder’s defense is, but it will have to be extra disciplined so as to not give away free points to the Grizzlies.
—Joe Mussatto, columnist
More: All-NBA team predictions: Will any OKC Thunder players join Shai Gilgeous-Alexander?
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Take advantage of offensive mismatches
The Grizzlies will be without Jaylen Wells, their best perimeter defender who suffered a broken wrist in a scary fall earlier this month. Who takes over the defensive duty on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander remains to be seen, but all of the Thunder's perimeter players could see even more opportunities than they had in the four games that OKC swept against Memphis during the regular season.
Last we checked, guys like SGA and Jalen Williams seem to know what to do when given opportunity.
The perimeter will be key since the Grizzlies seem to match up more favorably on the interior. They counter Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein with Jaren Jackson Jr. and Zach Edey. Now, Hartenstein had his way on the glass in a Feb. 8 win, grabbing 14 rebounds, and Holmgren is getting back into game shape more every day after that hip injury. But the sledding inside looks to be much tougher than on the perimeter in this series.
—Jenni Carlson, columnist
CARLSON: Jalen Williams made big strides for Thunder, but next ones need to come in NBA Playoffs
Capitalize on turnovers
Memphis has one of the NBA's best offenses, but its biggest weakness on that end of the floor is ball control.
The Grizzlies are averaging the third-most turnovers per game (15.7), which isn't a winning formula against the Thunder.
OKC ranks first in turnovers forced per game (17), and it has plenty of defenders who can get into passing lanes. From Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to Jalen Williams to Cason Wallace to Alex Caruso, the list is long.
If the Thunder can capitalize on the Grizzlies' turnovers, it'll be in a good position to win this series.
—Justin Martinez, sports trending reporter
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Thunder vs Grizzlies playoff keys: Can Ja Morant, Memphis upset OKC?
Continue reading...
