by Chuck Sommers
Monday, Dec 20, 2021
Time: 8 p.m. ET
Venue: FedEx Forum, Memphis, TN
Where to watch: Bally Sports Southeast-Memphis, Bally Sports Oklahoma
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Grizzlies -8.5
BetMGM: Grizzlies -8.5
Caesars: Grizzlies -8.5
Season record
Thunder: 9-19 (15th place, Western Conference)
Grizzlies: 19-12 (4th place, Western Conference)
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Thunder - Grizzlies preview and analysis
Recent form
Thunder: won 104-103 vs. Clippers on Saturday
Grizzlies: lost 105-100 vs. Trail Blazers on Sunday
The last time the Memphis Grizzlies and Oklahoma City Thunder met on a basketball court, it was like "Avengers: Infinity War." It was the NBA's version of the Infinity Stones.
One snap of the fingers and the Thunder were wiped from the NBA's existence. A 73-point victory for the Grizzlies actually kickstarted what has been Memphis' run of 10 wins in 12 games. More importantly, that run has also come without Ja Morant in the lineup.
The Grizzlies will host the Thunder on Monday for the first time since that record-breaking night, as Memphis will try to bounce back after having its five-game winning streak end Sunday against the Portland Trail Blazers.
Despite a career-high 37 points from Dillon Brooks, the Grizzlies couldn't stop the Blazers' tandem of Damian Lillard and Norman Powell; the two Portland guards combined to score 60 of the team's 105 points.
The Grizzlies shot 38.5 percent from the floor despite Brooks' career night (12 of 25 shooting). Steven Adams had 13 points and nine rebounds, while Jaren Jackson Jr. had only 11 points on 3 of 6 shooting. Desmond Bane shot 4 of 12, and Kyle Anderson had 11 points on 5 of 14 shooting.
It's been no surprise Memphis has been able to get by with its defense. The Grizzlies have needed to with Morant hurting his knee and then going into COVID protocol.
Whether or not the Grizzlies are seeing the same Thunder team they ran out of FedEx Forum on Dec. 2 is another story, but Oklahoma City ended a three-game losing streak on Saturday in a 104-103 home win over the Los Angeles Clippers.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander hit a stepback, buzzer-beating 3-pointer to cap off that victory over the shorthanded, albeit talented Clippers team. SGA finished with 18 points and six assists, and Lu Dort had a game-high 29 points on 12 of 19 shooting. Even rookie Josh Giddey had a ridiculously good 8 points, 10 assists and 18-rebound performance.
"I looked at the clock and there was like three seconds left after [Mike Muscala] had got it to me," Gilgeous-Alexander said. "And I knew like where I caught it was like, perfect for my comfort zone shots I want to shoot. I tried to make it look like I was driving, and then I got into my step back that I work on every day. And as soon as I let go, it felt good."
There haven't been many moments for the Thunder to feel good about, so we'll allow this one.
Prediction
The final result won't be 73 points, but I have no doubt the Thunder will play the revenge card and try to keep this close, especially with the Grizzlies on the SEGABABA at home. The Thunder keep it competitive, but Memphis gets the backdoor cover. Grizzlies by 10
Betting trends
The Thunder are 9-1 ATS this season after a stretch of losing two of three.
The Thunder are 33-17 ATS in their last 50 revenging a road loss to the opponent they’re facing.
The Grizzlies are 41-31 ATS as a favorite over the past three seasons.
Projected starting lineup
Thunder:
PG: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
SG: Josh Giddey
SF: Luguentz Dort
PF: Darius Bazley
C: Jeremiah Robinson-Earl
Grizzlies:
PG: Tyus Jones
SG: Desmond Bane
SF: Dillon Brooks
PF: Jaren Jackson Jr.
C: Steven Adams
SF: Dillon Brooks
PF: Jaren Jackson Jr.
C: Steven Adams
Key injuries
Thunder: None
Grizzlies: Ja Morant (COVID, out), Brandon Clarke (knee, out)
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Chuck Sommers
About the Author:
Chuck Sommers has camped outside of sportsbooks since he can remember, learning the tricks and nuances of the trade. He still has nightmares of betting $5,000 on the Raiders in the Tuck Rule game but has since turned that to 25 years of veteran handicapping greatness. You can find him mostly in the shadows at the Red Rock or Aliante casinos wondering if the over is cashing on any given Sunday.
