Thunder look to continue winning momentum heading into Memphis game

The Oklahoma City Thunder want to continue to look forward and continue that winning streak going when they face the Memphis Grizzlies (32-37).

Oklahoma City (42-25) dominated the Western Conference-leading Lakers on Wednesday. Heading into the matchup, OKC has won 19 of their last 25 games dating back to mid-January and show zero signs of letting up off the gas pedal.

The Thunder are entering the game tied for fifth in the Western Conference standings, 2.5 games behind the Nuggets for the Northwest Division lead and are 0.5 games behind the Jazz for fourth place.

Mike Muscala (concussion) and Terrance Ferguson (leg contusion) missed Wednesday’s game with injuries and questionable headings into Friday’s game. Dennis Schroder left the team Monday for his child’s birth and will be quarantined once he returns.

ESPN’s Royce Young said head coach Billy Donovan chose to err on the side of caution and would not play Steven Adams against Memphis.

Memphis is reeling and may find themselves on the outside looking in for the postseason if they don’t right the ship in a hurry. Losing Jaren Jackson Jr., who sustained a torn meniscus against the Pelicans on Monday, is a significant blow for the Grizzlies. He had averaged 25.3 points in the bubble before going down.

The two teams have split their series this season - with Memphis winning 110-97 on the road back on Dec. 26. The Thunder survived a 126-122 scare on Dec. 18.

Oklahoma City just stifled the Western Conference-leading Lakers, and they have a nice mix of veterans and youth in their rotation. In contrast, Memphis doesn’t have a lot of experience and faces a must-win situation if they don’t want their hopes and dreams of heading to the postseason to slip away. Oklahoma City wins by 10.

When: Friday, Aug. 7

Time: 3 p.m. CT

TV: NBAtv or Fox Sports Oklahoma

Radio: 97.1 FM (Tulsa) and 98.1 FM (OKC)