2014 NBA playoffs preview: Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Memphis Grizzlies
No. 2 Oklahoma City Thunder (59-23) vs. No. 7 Memphis Grizzlies (50-32)
- Game 1 in Oklahoma City: Thunder 100, Grizzlies 86
- Game 2 in Oklahoma City: Monday, April 21, 8 p.m. ET, TNT
- Game 3 in Memphis: Thursday, April 24, 8 p.m. ET, TNT
- Game 4 in Memphis: Saturday, April 26, 9:30 p.m. ET, ESPN
- Game 5 in Oklahoma City (if necessary): Tuesday, April 29
- Game 6 in Memphis (if necessary): Thursday, May 1
- Game 7 in Oklahoma City (if necessary): Saturday, May 3
Season series: Thunder won 3-1.
Points per game (per 100 possessions): Thunder 106.2, Grizzlies 96.1 (Thunder 110.5, Grizzlies 106.3).
Points allowed per game (per 100 possessions): Thunder 99.8, Grizzlies 94.6 (Thunder 103.9, Grizzlies 104.6).
Matchups worth watching: Thunder PG Russell Westbrook vs. Grizzlies PG Mike Conley, Thunder PF/C Serge Ibaka vs. Grizzlies C Marc Gasol.
Scoring leaders: Thunder SF Kevin Durant (32.0 points a game), Grizzlies PF Zach Randolph (17.4).
Why Oklahoma City will win: Durant and Westbrook are the best star pairing in the NBA. They lost to the Grizzlies last postseason when Westbrook was out, but he has rounded back into form after three knee surgeries in a year. Everything appears sharp entering the playoffs, and Oklahoma City is one of the three championship favorites.
Why Memphis will win: The Grizzlies' size and defensive intensity can be overwhelming, and they slow the game down more than any other team in the league. That could offset any talent disparity and keep Durant and Westbrook humble. Also, they make very few mistakes.
Did you know? Thunder guard Derek Fisher is four games away from passing his former Los Angeles Lakers teammate Robert Horry for the record for most games played in NBA playoff history.
Prediction: Thunder in 7.
