Memphis Grizzlies Defeat Oklahoma City Thunder in OT, Take 3-1 Series Lead
The Memphis Grizzlies were 4.5-point favorites against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Monday night in Memphis’ Grind House, and while they covered the spread with a 103-97 victory, the Griz needed a heart-stopping OT period to do it.
The Thunder came out of the gate shooting the lights out, building a 17-point lead at one point in the first half. Memphis’ unbeaten postseason record on their home court looked like it was in jeopardy, but the Grizzlies went on a 20-8 run in the third quarter that vaulted them back into the game. Memphis head coach Lionel Hollins was impressed with his team’s roaring comeback and their stingy defense.
“We are a team that just plays hard and doesn’t quit,” Hollins said. “We scratch. We claw. They said grit and grind. I don’t know what the heck that means, but we go out and we just battle. We compete. We’re not the most talented team that’s in the playoffs when we started out. We’re not the most talented team that’s left in the playoffs. But we go and compete.”
The Grizzlies are now primed to win the series. Game 5 will be in OKC on Wednesday, and they can advance to the Western Conference finals with a win.
“We have an opportunity in front of us that we can take advantage of,” Grizzlies guard Mike Conley said. “I know our guys are focused. We’re treating it one game at a time. We know they’re going to fight like they have their backs against the wall just like they did tonight. They’re going to play with a sense of urgency, and we have to be ready.”
The Thunder, meanwhile, have struggled without Russell Westbrook, their talented All-Star point guard who injured his knee in the team’s first round series against the Houston Rockets. The Thunder have been the Western Conference finals each of the past two years, but their mini-streak of appearances looks like it may be coming to an end.
“It’s not over yet, and we understand that,” Thunder coach Scott Brooks said. “It’s the first to four. They’re in a good position, but our challenge is not impossible. It’s something that we can do. We just have to focus one possession, one game at a time. Hopefully, we can do that and come back here Friday night. There’s a barbeque festival right?”
Led by defensive player of the year Marc Gasol and fellow big man Zach Randolph, the Grizzlies are a legitimate threat to make the Finals, and even to face down the reigning champion Miami Heat.
“Two years ago, when we went three overtimes, and we weren’t feeling like this two years ago, so it feels good,” Randolph said. “But we’re focused, and we know what we got to do Wednesday. Come out and play. They’re going to come out and play hard. It’s not over yet.”
Here are some of the other betting trends for both teams heading into last night’s game, courtesy of OddsShark.com:
Oklahoma City Thunder Trends:
When playing on Monday are 5-5
Before playing Memphis are 7-3
After playing Memphis are 4-6
After a loss are 7-3
Memphis Grizzlies Trends:
When playing on Monday are 4-6
Before playing Oklahoma City are 7-3
After playing Oklahoma City are 7-3
After a win are 7-3
A few Thunder at Grizzlies trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 10 of Oklahoma City’s last 12 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Oklahoma City’s last 5 games on the road
Oklahoma City is 7-2 SU in its last 9 games on the road
Oklahoma City is 15-7 SU in its last 22 games
Memphis is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
Memphis is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Memphis’s last 8 games at home
Memphis is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games when playing Oklahoma City
