Grizzlies Look to Eliminate Thunder
Marc Gasol and the Memphis Grizzlies need just one win to advance to the Western conference finals.
It’s been nearly two decades since a No. 5 seed advanced to the conference finals. On Wednesday night, the Memphis Grizzlies will attempt to bring an end to that streak.
The Grizzlies are just one game from advancing to the Western Conference finals for the first time in franchise history. All that stands in the team’s way is an Oklahoma City Thunder side that is desperate to keep its playoff bid alive.
With Memphis leading the series 3-1, Game 5 comes from Chesapeake Energy Arena in downtown Oklahoma City, Okla. Tip-off is scheduled for 9:30 pm ET.
Series Recap
Two years ago, Memphis and Oklahoma City met in Game 4 of the Western Conference semifinals. The Grizzlies held a 2-1 advantage heading into that game, which ultimately went to overtime. In fact, it went to triple overtime. The end result, the Thunder emerged victorious and went on to win the series.
On Monday night, Memphis and Oklahoma City met in Game 4 of the Western Conference semifinals. The Grizzlies head a 2-1 advantage heading into the game, which ultimately went to overtime. This time though, the Grizzlies held on to take a 103-97 victory and a 3-1 series lead.
The impact of Russell Westbrook’s lateral meniscus tear continues to not so much ripple as surge through the Thunder. Nobody is feeling it more than Kevin Durant.
Durant has undeniably stepped his game up this series. Averaging 30.8 points, 11 rebounds, 6.8 assists, and 46.2 percent shooting, the perennial All-Star has taken the team on his shoulders. The problem is the rest of the team has, for the most part, failed to turn up.
This has allowed Memphis to win three straight games, moving to 5-2 against the Thunder this season. The Grizzlies won Game 2 in Oklahoma City, and is now 2-2 at Chesapeake Energy Arena this season. There aren’t many teams that can stake a claim to two wins in a building the Thunder lost just seven games in during the regular season.
Kevin Durant will need more assistance from his teammates if the Oklahoma City is to stay alive.
Game 5 Preview
The last time a No. 5 seed advanced to the conference final stage of the NBA playoffs was in 1994. During that campaign, both the Utah Jazz and Indiana Pacers entered the postseason with the No. 5 berth and made it through the opening two rounds of the playoffs. Memphis will be looking to break this 19-year drought on Wednesday night.
In fact, since 1994, only two sides ranked lower than No. 4 have advanced to the conference finals. In 1995 the sixth-seeded Houston Rockets went on to win an NBA championship, then in 1999, the No. 8 seeded New York Knicks went all the way to the NBA finals before falling to San Antonio.
With three chance to nap just one victory, Memphis could be about to rewrite the history books.
Of course, Oklahoma City shouldn’t be written off just yet. Durant showed in Game 1 he has the ability to guide his team to victory. Guiding that same team to three straight victories will be a tough task though.
Memphis has, for the most part, exerted its will on the Thunder. The Grizzlies have made this a half-court series, with slow offensive possessions and solid defense. The Thunder managed to return to its run-and-gun style in the first half of Game 4, but the Grizzlies made the necessary adjustments and returned to the very methodical pace that has seen the side excel this postseason.
If the Thunder are to stave off a fourth straight loss, and stay alive in the process, Durant will need more help from his teammates, both offensively and defensively. Serge Ibaka and Kendrick Perkins need to get down and dirty in the paint, and pull down some rebounds. The backcourt players need to give Durant some time off the ball, and score. The team as a whole needs to play gritty.
Memphis simply needs to do what it has done all season; play its own game.
The Grizzlies were winners last time out in Oklahoma City. Will they win again?
Betting Options
Despite Memphis’ three straight victories, bookmakers had Oklahoma City as the favorite when the lines opened for Game 5. The spread opened, and remains, at 4.
Spread bettors will find it very difficult to back the Thunder in this one. Memphis (9-1-0 ATS) has cover the spread in each of its last nine games. The Grizzlies have also covered in 13 of the last 15 games, including regular season and playoffs.
Oklahoma City (3-7-0) has struggled against the spread since the beginning of the postseason. The Thunder is 1-4-0 ATS at home during the playoffs, compared to the Grizzlies who are 4-1-0 ATS on the road.
The total opened at 185. During the series so far, the over and under has been split evenly. However, the Thunder (3-7-0) has seen the total go under in 11 of the last 14 games (regular season and postseason).
Memphis (7-3-0) meanwhile has been favoring the over this postseason, in contrast to the team’s regular season record (36-43-3), which favored the under.
For more analysis of this game, click here.
Schedule
GAME 1: Memphis 91, Oklahoma City 93
GAME 2: Memphis 99, Oklahoma City 93
GAME 3: Oklahoma City 81, Memphis 87
GAME 4: Oklahoma City 97, Memphis 103
GAME 5: Memphis at Oklahoma City (Wed, May 15, 9:30 pm ET)
GAME 6: Oklahoma City at Memphis (Fri, May 17, TBD)*
GAME 7: Memphis at Oklahoma City (Sun, May 19, TBD)*
*If necessary
