First of all let me start by saying this, I had the Memphis Grizzlies losing in 6 games to the Spurs in the first round of the NBA playoffs. I’m as surprised to see them one game away from the Western Conference Finals as the next person and I’ve watched them play throughout the season(due to my purchase of the NBA package for the 1oth straight year lol). In game six, OKC was up by ten points at the half and flat out got hammered in the 2nd half being outscored 51-29, losing by 12 points.
Outside of Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook, in my opinion the Grizzlies have more talent 1-12 on their roster and it’s one of the reasons why there is a game 7 being played today. The frontcourt duo of Zach Randolph(23.8 ppg and 12.7 rpg in the series) and Marc Gasol(16.3 ppg, 10.8 rpg, and 2.8 bpg) are and have been a complete mismatch for the Thunder, so look for the Grizzlies to continue pound the ball inside and kick the ball out for open three point shots when doubled down low.
Kevin Durant had a atrocious game six scoring 11 points on 3-14 shooting from the field. If he plays this bad in game 7 OKC has no shot at winning. Memphis has done a pretty good job making him take tough shots while running multiple defenders at him. Russell Westbrook has been scoring point and thats fine, but he needs to make more plays for others as in game 6 the Thunder had only 15 assists on 31 made shots. It’s too much one on one and it would serve his team a little better if he made more open looks for others.
The Grizzlies have an advantage bench wise, with Shane Battier, Sam Young, and Darrell Arthur providing defense, energy, and scoring punch. James Harden has relished in his role as OKC’s sixth man scoring and making plays off the bench, while Nick Collison brings toughness in the paint.
Well Vegas has OKC as a 6 1/2 point favorite, but in a game 7 does they line really matter? Some say yes, some say no….As for me I like OKC as a winner straight up. Durant comes through with a big game to pull out the win at home.