The Thunder went merciless on the Milwaukee Bucks Tuesday, as they decimated the Jason Kidd-coached squad in a 110-79 home victory, ending a two-game losing skid. Russell Westbrook and company now hit the road for a four-game trip away from Chesapeake Energy Arena, beginning tonight in Memphis.
Westbrook tied Oscar Robertson’s most triple doubles in a season by stuffing the stat sheet against Milwaukee, posting 12 points, 13 rebounds, and 13 assists. He could set a new record tonight against the Grizzlies, who have already tasted two triple doubles from Westbrook in three meetings this season. Westbrook had 27 points, 13 boards, and 12 dimes in OKC’s 114-102 win over Memphis on Feb. 3—the latest meeting between the two teams. The Thunder were sharp from the outside in that game, nailing 13 threes on 26 attempts. Getting those outside shots to fall is going to be key for the Thunder to spread out Memphis elite interior defense that ranks among the best in the league.
The Thunder are 4-1 ATS in their last five games against Memphis.
The Thunder have Westbrook, but the Grizzlies have themselves a solid guard in Mike Conley. Conley’s not putting up Westbrook-ian numbers but he’s effective nonetheless.
Conley leads the team in points (20.5 per game) and assists (6.4). He had 19 points and dished out six assists in the Grizzlies’ 95-89 overtime loss to San Antonio Tuesday night. Despite the loss, the Grizzlies had some good news in that Marc Gasol was able to come back from a five-game absence due to a foot injury. Gasol scored 11 points and pulled down seven rebounds in 30 minutes of play.
Gasol has played well in three games against the Thunder thus far this season, averaging 21.7 points on 48.2 percent shooting from the field in the matchup.
Gasol and Zach Randolph will look to carve up Oklahoma City’s defense in the paint, where the Grizzlies are averaging 44.0 points per game versus the Thunder.
Memphis is 4-0 SU and ATS in its last four at home.
