Grizzlies Look to Regain Momentum as Thunder Continue Their Dominant Streak

Memphis Grizzlies vs Oklahoma City Thunder

The Memphis Grizzlies will visit the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday night for what promises to be an exciting matchup at Paycom Center. With both teams in solid form, Memphis (22-10) is looking to build on their recent success, while Oklahoma City (24-6) rides an impressive nine-game winning streak. Tip-off is set for 7:00 p.m. ET.

Memphis Grizzlies: Aiming to Regain Momentum

The Grizzlies enter this game after a thrilling 132-124 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday. Jaren Jackson Jr. led the charge with 33 points, while Ja Morant added 25 before leaving the game with a minor shoulder injury. Though Morant did not return, early reports suggest it is not serious, and he is expected to play in this game.

Memphis has been excellent on both ends of the floor, ranking 5th in NET rating, driven by their 6th-ranked offensive and defensive ratings. Offensively, they are a juggernaut, averaging 124 points per game, the highest in the NBA. The Grizzlies also shoot 48.7% from the field (5th) and 37.3% from beyond the arc (10th). However, their defense has been a bit inconsistent, as they rank 18th in scoring defense, allowing 113.8 points per game.

Beyond Jackson Jr., several players are contributing significantly to Memphis’ success this season. Morant, who averages 21.2 PPG and 7.9 APG, remains one of the most dynamic point guards in the league, while Desmond Bane (15.4 PPG) and Santi Aldama (13.0 PPG) continue to offer valuable support. Memphis also benefits from their robust rebounding efforts, with Jackson Jr. pulling down 6.0 RPG and Aldama adding 7.3 RPG.

Grizzlies’ Injury Report: PG Marcus Smart (finger) and PF Santi Aldama (ankle) are both questionable for Sunday’s game. The status of these two key players could impact Memphis’ defensive schemes and depth.

Oklahoma City Thunder: On a Roll

The Oklahoma City Thunder come into this game on fire, having won nine straight games, including a 120-114 victory over the Indiana Pacers on Thursday. Leading the charge was Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who posted a career-high 45 points on an efficient 15-of-22 shooting performance. Gilgeous-Alexander also contributed 6.1 assists and 5.7 rebounds per game, establishing himself as one of the NBA’s elite scorers.

As a team, Oklahoma City has been outstanding, particularly on the defensive end. They rank 1st in defensive rating and 1st in scoring defense, allowing only 103.6 points per game on 42.6% shooting. The Thunder are also tough on the perimeter, ranking 2nd in 3-point defense at 33.3%. Offensively, they score an impressive 115.2 points per game, though their shooting from beyond the arc (34.9%) could use improvement, ranking just 20th in the league.

In addition to Gilgeous-Alexander, several other players are contributing to Oklahoma City’s success. Jalen Williams has emerged as a consistent scorer, averaging 21.5 PPG and 5.9 RPG, while Isaiah Hartenstein has been a force on the glass, pulling down 12.6 RPG to go with 12.6 PPG. Lu Dort (9.8 PPG, 4.6 RPG) also provides a solid two-way presence for the Thunder.

Thunder Injury Report: PG Alex Caruso (hip), SG Cason Wallace (quad), and SG Lu Dort (ankle) are all questionable for Sunday’s game. Oklahoma City’s depth could be tested depending on the status of these key players, particularly Dort, who is crucial to their defensive efforts.

Conclusion

Oklahoma City’s defense has been nothing short of exceptional this season, and while Memphis boasts the top offense in the NBA, they may struggle against the Thunder’s suffocating defense. The injury concerns surrounding Marcus Smart and Santi Aldama further tilt the advantage in Oklahoma City’s favor. With Gilgeous-Alexander and the rest of the Thunder playing at an elite level, expect them to continue their winning streak.

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