Thunder Rolls Over Grizzlies

Colin Rafferty –

Your Memphis Grizzlies fell short yesterday to the reigning NBA Champs 114-100.

The game started out with the Grizzlies playing great defense and were getting to the rim. They jumped out on the Thunder to a 62-51 lead by half time.

The ball was moving well, and the effort was there from the get-go. If the Grizzlies play like that and lose, I can live with it.

The problem for the Grizzlies came in the second half as the Thunder continued to get to the free throw line and some bad turnovers ultimately let OKC get back into the game.

The offense became stagnant, and they were unable to get into the paint, which they had done well in the first half. Shots weren’t falling either.

Big runs by the Thunder coupled with the Grizzlies inability to hit a shot, got OKC the lead late in the game and never really let it go. The Grizz did have opportunities in the 3rd, but all came undone by the 4th.

SGA got his usual 11 attempts from the charity stripe which added to his 35-point, 7 rebound, 6 assist night.

While no Grizzlies player, at home, shot more than 5 free throws.

I thought in the NBA the home court gets the calls? Oh wait, it’s the Oklahoma City Thunder they get the calls no matter where they are.

It’s honestly disgusting to watch that guy get whatever the hell he wants. All while his team gets away with constant grabbing, holding, and all of the above on defense.

It is clear the NBA wants the Thunder as their darlings but c’mon mane, they literally never do anything wrong? You’ve given them an inch, and they’ve taken 3 miles.

I digress, Ja Morant’s shooting night wasn’t great, but he was helping his teammates out all night. Morant ended with 11 pts, 8 assists, and 3 rebounds. Jaren Jackson Jr. led the Grizzlies with 17 pts, 7 rebounds, and 2 blocks.

Although the Grizzlies had six players with double-digit points, 14 turnovers to the Thunder’s 6 were the big issue. The Thunder led in every category of the team stats, except in… FOULS (17-25) and Assists, the Grizz had 30 to the Thunder’s 19.

There was no answer for Isaiah Hartenstein last night who put up 18 pts and 13 reb. He was just too much for the Grizzlies down low. Chet Holmgren and Ajay Mitchell both added 21 pts.

When the Thunder’s bench was in, the Grizzlies were able to control the game. Only once the second half started and the shots weren’t falling like the first, was it all but sunk.

A tough loss, but one you can build on. Jaylen Wells has started to look more comfortable shooting, maybe he found his rhythm; the first half was great, second half not.

The formula is clear, take that first half and repeat it over and over again.

I’ve said it once I’ll say it a million more times throughout the year, Cedric Coward is that dude. He posted 13 pts, 10 reb, and 4 assists.

His energy and desire to be involved at every level of the game is awesome. He is still a rookie and has moments of it, but overall, he has impressed the city with his play. I look forward to seeing him grow and prosper as the year goes on.

Let me also shoutout Santi Aldama who had 12 pts,9 reb, and 4 assists. He has been playing well as of late and has been a great contributor off the bench.

The Thunder are the number one team in the West and the Grizzlies showed they can play with them even when at a disadvantage due to injuries.

If the first half is what we should expect to see when we get our injured guys back, then I feel confident they will be able to play with anyone.

The Grizzlies will hit the road for 4 games starting Tuesday against the Knicks at Madison Square Garden at 6:30 PM CST.

Ja loves to play in MSG so it should be a fun game.