Jeff Green has been quite the lucky charm for the Memphis Grizzlies since coming over from the Boston Celtics. The Grizz have lost just two of the 15 games they’ve played with him in the lineup. But will Green’s luck run out when the Grizzlies travel to his old home of Oklahoma City against deadly duo of Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook? Check out our complete preview of this Western Conference clash below.
Savor the NBA’s last action-packed day until the All-Star break. Go on and read up on more of Wednesday’s matchups in the Heat vs. Cavs and Wizards vs. Raptors.
[sc:NBAArticles ]Memphis Grizzlies vs. Oklahoma City Thunder Betting Preview
Where: Chesapeake Arena, Oklahoma City
When: Wednesday, February 11, 2015, 7:30 PM ET
Line: Memphis Grizzlies (+6) at Oklahoma City Thunder (-6); total 198.0 – view all NBA lines
Betting on the Memphis Grizzlies
With the way they’re playing, the Memphis Grizzlies probably don’t want to go on a long break just yet. The Grizz have been grinding out win after win, including Sunday’s 94-88 win over the East-leading Atlanta Hawks. Memphis has gone 9-6-2 against the spread during that stretch.
[sc:NBA240banner ]The Grizzlies’ impressive run has coincided with the acquisition of Green from the Boston Celtics. The versatile forward has fit in quite well with the Grizzlies’ offense, averaging 12 points in 29 minutes. Meanwhile, Zach Randolph has been positively beastly, averaging 17 points and 12 rebounds per game while shooting 50 percent from the field in his last 15 games.
Randolph had another monster game with 21 points and 18 rebounds against the Thunder on Jan 31. The Grizzlies won, 85-74, and held a 54-47 rebounding advantage thanks to Z-Bo’s 10 offensive boards. Look for Randolph and Marc Gasol, who added 15 points and 12 rebounds against OKC, to have another big game on the boards against a Thunder team that will be missing starting center Steven Adams.
The Grizzlies defense has also been sensational over the last 15 games, holding opponents to 95 points per 100 possessions (second in the NBA during that span). That defense put the clamps on the Thunder, Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook in particular. The All-Star duo combined for just 29 points on 10-of-32 shooting.
Green’s inclusion gives the Grizzlies that needed versatility in matching up with Durant if the Thunder choose to go small. They also have three of the best perimeter defenders in Tony Allen, Courtney Lee and Mike Conley to get after Westbrook, not to mention the imposing presence of Gasol inside.
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Betting on the Oklahoma City Thunder
Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook are in one of those moods where they can do just about anything. Consider the last five games, wherein Westbrook exploded for a triple-double against the Magic and had back-to-back 45-plus point games against the Pelicans. Not to be outdone, Durant demolished the Nuggets for 40 of his own on Monday.
With those two going off for big games, the Thunder have gone 4-1 in their last five (3-2 against the spread).
Speaking of going off, rookie Mitch McGary has kicked off his NBA campaign with a bang. The former Michigan man, who has missed most of season with back problems, has averaged 18 points and 10 rebounds in his first two games back, while shooting 14-of-21 from the field.
McGary should get more minutes with Steven Adams sidelined with a broken hand. The young rookie could turn out to be a big part of a Thunder team that is in desperate need of a consistent producer off a very inconsistent bench. Dion Waiters, Reggie Jackson and Anthony Morrow all have the ability to get hot, but all three can also be total non-factors.
Kendrick Perkins and Nick Collison have the bulk and the experience to bang with Randolph and Gasol, but only McGary can provide some much-needed offense – or even the threat of offense – to prevent the Grizzlies’ defense from loading up on Durant and Westbrook.
Writer’s Prediction
Durant and Westbrook lead the Thunder (-6) to a much-needed home win, but the Grizzlies grind out a hard-fought cover.
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