Thunder Gameday: Memphis Grizzlies (11-32)

Tonight the Thunder have perhaps a chance to wipe away some memories of last weeks loss against the Clippers. It was a game that Thunder players, fans, and commentators alike, expected the Thunder to win. But they didn't, and tonight, they will be in a similar situation, and once again expected to win as the Grizzlies (At the time of this writing, before the Denver game) have lost 17 of their last 19 games, including an ongoing 9 game losing streak (most likely 10 by the time you read this). The Grizzlies are also under new leadership, well new-old leadership if you can understand that. Reason being is Lionel Hollins being name interim head coach...again. He has been the Grizzlies interim head coach twice before, going 18-46 combined over both stretches as the Grizzlies Interim. The move came after the Grizzlies decided to fire Head Coach Marc Iavaroni, who was 33-90 in his stretch as the Memphis head coach.

Honestly with the way these two teams are playing right now, I don't expect this game to even be close, especially since the game is going to be played in Loud City. The Thunder are going to have to keep Rookie OJ Mayo, and Rudy Gay contained, and keep Marc Gasol off the boards. If they do that, it will be a BLOWOUT, and even if they don't, the Thunder should win by double digits. This isn't the same Thunder team that the Grizzlies beat last time they visited Oklahoma City, and if they expect to see that team again, they can expect their losing streak to continue.

The only thing that can possibly interfere is if the Grizzlies come out energized by the new/old leadership. Hey it worked wonders for the Thunder didn't it? Yes, but not overnight, and nor will it happen that way for the Grizzlies, so again, this one just doesn't look to be shaping up as competitive. A confident Thunder team should put away Memphis by Half time, and if Scott Brooks learned anything from the Nets game on Monday, its to keep pounding away with the 8 man rotation, and leave the dead weight on the bench until under five minutes to go and a 20+ point lead.