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Thunder vs. Grizzlies: Game 3 Preview

The pivotal Game 3 of the first-round series between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Memphis Grizzlies takes place tonight at FedExForum. So far, the Thunder have showcased their dominance in the series, winning the first two games at home with a combined margin of 70 points. With the series leaning heavily in Oklahoma City’s favor, the prospect of a swift 4-0 sweep looms large, particularly if Memphis fails to implement significant adjustments in front of its home crowd.

Tonight’s outcome will be crucial; a Thunder victory would grant them a commanding 3-0 lead, effectively putting the series out of reach for Memphis. In contrast, a Grizzlies win would narrow the series to 2-1, providing them a glimmer of hope. For Oklahoma City, a quick victory in this series would allow the team valuable rest ahead of the next round, especially if the Denver Nuggets and LA Clippers series extends to a full length.

The initial game of the series saw Memphis struggling severely, suffering a 51-point defeat that marked one of their most challenging outings of the season. Game 2 brought a slight improvement for the Grizzlies, although they still fell to the Thunder by a score of 118-99. Memphis managed to draw closer toward the end of the contest, briefly narrowing the lead to single digits before Oklahoma City pulled away for a decisive victory.

Despite the losses, Game 2 offered a glimpse of potential for Memphis, particularly as they head home to make necessary adjustments. A critical factor for the Grizzlies has been their offensive struggles. Throughout the regular season, they managed to stay above the 100-point mark in all but one game, but thus far in this series, Oklahoma City has limited them to scores beneath that threshold—80 points in Game 1 and 99 in Game 2.

While Oklahoma City’s elite defensive strategy is a significant contributor to these challenges, Memphis’s scoring dynamics have also been a concern. In the first game, virtually all players faced difficulties on the offensive end, but their key trio—Jaren Jackson Jr., Ja Morant, and Desmond Bane—did step up in Game 2, collectively accounting for 68 points. However, the team still faced inefficiencies, as these three players represented nearly 70% of Memphis’s total scoring. The performance of Memphis’s bench, which has been outpaced by Oklahoma City’s reserves, has further compounded their scoring difficulties, with the Thunder’s bench outscoring the Grizzlies 84 to 58 in the first two games.

Currently, Memphis ranks at the bottom among playoff teams in both field goal percentage (38.6%) and 3-point shooting (24.6%), while also leading the playoffs in turnovers with 39. These statistics highlight the significant challenges Memphis faces in their offensive efforts. Their defense has shown potential in limited stretches but remains overshadowed by their scoring woes. If Memphis can boost their offensive production while maintaining defensive competitiveness, they may find themselves in a more favorable position in this crucial matchup.

For the Grizzlies to turn the tide in Game 3, Ja Morant must adopt an aggressive offensive posture, aiming to exploit any defensive lapses from the Thunder. Jaren Jackson Jr. will need to spearhead Memphis’s defensive efforts, demonstrating his prowess as one of the NBA’s top defenders. The Thunder should anticipate an energized and motivated Grizzlies squad, determined to bounce back and stave off a potentially devastating sweep.

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