Kevin Durant was as solid as ever, dropping 33 points on the Memphis in Game 1. Can the Thunder put Memphis in a 0-2 hole, or will the Grizzlies grind their way to a W?
Memphis Grizzlies vs. Oklahoma City Thunder – Round 1, Game 2 Betting Preview – 2014 NBA Playoffs
Series Schedule & Results
Game 1 – April 19, Memphis 86 Oklahoma City 100
Game 2 April 21, 8:00PM ET, Memphis (+7) at Oklahoma City (-7); total 190.0 – view all NBA lines
Game 3 – April 24, 10:30PM ET, Oklahoma City at Memphis
Game 4 – April 26, 9:30PM ET, Oklahoma City at Memphis
Game 5 (if necessary) – April 29, Memphis at Oklahoma City
Game 6 (if necessary) – May 1, Oklahoma City at Memphis
Game 7 (if necessary) – May 3, Memphis at Oklahoma City
Betting on the Memphis Grizzlies
[sc:NBA240banner ]For three quarters the Memphis Grizzlies were within arm’s reach of serving the no. 2 Oklahoma City Thunder with an upset loss in Game 1 of their series, but Kevin Durant played like Kevin Durant in the fourth period and Memphis eventually fell short, 100-86.
Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph continued to power the inside game of the gritty Grizzlies, who wreaked havoc in the shaded area. The duo combined for 37 points and 17 rebounds (nine offensive boards), and led Memphis to 50 total points in the paint.
As good as the Grizzlies were inside, their perimeter shooting, however, was downright horrific. It took Memphis 18 shots before they made a basket outside the paint. They were 2-11 from beyond the arc and finished with a 33-91 (36.3%) overall from the field.
On defense, they must devise a way to limit Durant. Tony Allen did a decent job of containing the MVP candidate in Game 1 to 5-13 (36%), but Durant went 8-11 from the field for 20 points when faced with another defender.
The Grizzlies are now 3-1 under in their last four games.
Betting on the Oklahoma City Thunder
The Oklahoma City Thunder might get dominated over and over again by the Grizzlies in the paint but as long as Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook play the same way they did in Game 1, the Thunder are going to be difficult to oust in the first round. Oklahoma City is now 3-0 SU in their last three games against the Grizzlies and 4-1 ATS in their last five at home.
Kevin Durant unloaded 33 points, including 13 in the payoff period – which came just in time to extinguish the Grizzlies’ rally – and Westbrook added 23 more. Their 18 rebounds together were also instrumental in the game, helping the Thunder dictate the pace. The Thunder outrebounded Memphis, 51-41.
The Thunder’s frontline wasn’t thoroughly outplayed though as Serge Ibaka and Steve Adams registered seven of Oklahoma City’ 10 blocks. Ibaka had 17 points on 6-8 shooting.
Oklahoma City is looking good in this series, but they still need to take care of the ball to avoid any mishaps that could happen. They turned the ball over 13 times in Game 1. Fortunately for Oklahoma City, the Grizzlies only converted those into five points.
Writer’s Prediction
The Grizzlies’ grit-and-grind attitude, coupled with improved shooting, will manage to keep this game closer than in Game 1. Thunder will win but Grizzlies will cover their -7 spread.
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