SERIES THREAD: Memphis Grizzlies VS Oklahoma City Thunder

[thunderc]

Quite possibly the strangest series I have ever watched. Memphis would appear to be absolutely dominating the series but somehow the Thunder have gotten 4 straight games into OT that they probably shouldn't have. Just shows how much talent OKC has that is being wasted by some very poor coaching at the moment.

 

[Steelboy84]

This is a bad match for OKC, the Grizzlies are a half court team, wich suit's them well for the playoffs with their low post presence. OKC has no one to match Gasol & Randolph.

Exactly. It basically comes down to can jumpshooting outmatch the inside game (scoring, offensive rebounds, defense). So far, the answer has been no.

 

[Clayton]

Exactly. It basically comes down to can jumpshooting outmatch the inside game (scoring, offensive rebounds, defense). So far, the answer has been no.

Its a bit more than that. The Grizzlies would be down in the series without Mike Miller. Possibly out of it. The notion that OKC doesn't have anyone for Gasol and Zbo is wrong, too. They have more than anyone, really. Perkins, Ibaka, Collison and the occasional Steven Adams.

OKCs problem is they can't take advantage of Mike Miller's defensive issues or Tony Allen's offensive issues because they play lineups where Memphis can usually hide them. Memphis is also getting more production from Allen but its the playoffs and role players have to show up.

The whole series in a nutshell: Russell Westbrook is 7-38 from the 3pt line. A team will never win when someone has a statline like that.

 

[Steelboy84]

The notion that OKC doesn't have anyone for Gasol and Zbo is wrong, too. They have more than anyone, really. Perkins, Ibaka, Collison and the occasional Steven

They may have those guys, but they're getting abused down low. Ibaka is basically a jumpshooter on offense and Perkins is not much more than a rebounder/put back/tip in player. They have no one that can consistently get points down low.

This series has basically become inside vs outside even considering Mike Miller. They're getting timely rebounds and points in the paint.

 

[Clayton]

They may have those guys, but they're getting abused down low. Ibaka is basically a jumpshooter on offense and Perkins is not much more than a rebounder/put back/tip in player. They have no one that can consistently get points down low.

This series has basically become inside vs outside even considering Mike Miller. They're getting timely rebounds and points in the paint.

OKC actually outrebounded Memphis in the last game for whatever thats worth. I do agree that OKC lacks an inside offensive threat but its really taking an act of congress for either team to score.

OKC still has a 50/50 shot of winning the series, imo. They've kept the series competitive with Westbrook shooting sub 25% for deep and without generating any turnovers or fast break points or having Durant go off.

You want to see a team get abused down low? Clippers vs Grizzlies. Thatll be the series where Memphis has fun down low

 

[Steelboy84]

OKC actually outrebounded Memphis in the last game for whatever thats worth. I do agree that OKC lacks an inside offensive threat but its really taking an act of congress for either team to score.

OKC still has a 50/50 shot of winning the series, imo. They've kept the series competitive with Westbrook shooting sub 25% for deep and without generating any turnovers or fast break points or having Durant go off.

You want to see a team get abused down low? Clippers vs Grizzlies. Thatll be the series where Memphis has fun down low

They can outrebound them 50-45 during the course of the game, but when Memphis is getting 5-10 offensive rebounds in the last three or four minutes of the game, they're getting second chance shots in crunch time. Thats giving Zebo more opportunities down low and Miller good looks at threes. Thats whats killing OKC. Memphis has more balance, thats also killing OKC. Imo, both Durant and Westbrook are too skilled to take so many jumpshots. They need to drive more and get to the line more and Brooks needs to make adjustments to open the floor more. Also, who else is going to step up as a third scorer? At different points in the game, it becomes Durant/Westbrook one on one, but too much. Not enough ball movement. OKC has to beat Memphis, not Durant and Westbrook beat Memphis. I know they'll take the shots down the stretch, but it cant be a two man game the entire game.

Memphis knows what they are against. Adjustments will make or break OKC tonight.

 

[bksballer89]

Butler started?

 

[Hornsstampede2.0]

This series reminds me of 2011


The top seed tries its hardest to stave off elimination with an early barrage in game 6 that gets whittled down slowly in the grindhouse


Will we see a repeat scenario?

 

[Steelboy84]

Yea, start going to the rim. He is too good to just shoot threes.

 

[Clayton]

Is it just me or is Reggie Jackson a good player?

Also, aggressive Durant is scary. I wonder if he can keep this up.

OKC giving Memphis offense fits still. Grizzlies need to hit those FTs

 

[bksballer89]

He is good....One of the better backup PG's in the league

 

[thunderc]

Would love to see him start games next year after Sefolosha is gone, have to pick up a backup PG in the offseason.

 

[Clayton]

Starting to see all of the matchup issues Memphis has is in this series when Westbrook isnt chucking

 

[bksballer89]

What a poor performance by Memphis tonight.....I am highly disappointed

 

[thunderc]

GREAT performance by the Thunder is the reason for that, and I certainly understand why you are disappointed. You got 1 team to worry about, 1.

 

[bksballer89]

GREAT performance by the Thunder is the reason for that, and I certainly understand why you are disappointed. You got 1 team to worry about, 1.

Yeah the Spurs

 

[thunderc]

Yeah the Spurs

You would be lucky to get the Spurs and I expect you know it.

 

[bksballer89]

hahaha just focus on getting out of round 1 kid

 

[UTVolCountry]

Yikes

 

[thunderc]

stupid technical foul, clear foul. Best officiated game of the series for sure.