Rudy Gay is gone, Tayshaun Prince is on his way and the Memphis Grizzlies look to continue being a lucrative wagering option against the Oklahoma City Thunder as those two Western teams prepare to meet on the hardwood once again on Thursday night.
The Grizzlies have picked up three ATS wins in a row over Kevin Durant and the Thunder, including a 107-97 victory as a 5-point road underdog in their last matchup back on November 14. Rudy Gay poured in 28 points for Memphis in that November victory.
The Grizzlies will look to vanquish their hosts on Thursday, as they are 26-17-1 ATS versus the spread this season, while the Thunder are 25-17-3 ATS. Memphis is 16-27-1 against the total, while Oklahoma City is 21-22-2 versus the number. (Note: follow us on Twitter for line updates and injuries news).
View Memphis vs Oklahoma City Odds and Stats.
Betting Line:
Those backing the visitors in this one found the Grizzlies listed as 7.5-point underdogs earlier at Sportsbook. Meanwhile, the OVER/UNDER line for this game was set at 192 at Sportsbook but may have moved since Sportsbook.
Power Rankings / Prediction:
The Thunder sit at No. 1 in the current NBA Power Rankings here at Odds Shark, while the Grizzlies are at No. 4 on that chart. Math models have concluded that the Thunder will win this game 105-100.
How They Match Up:
The game also pits Oklahoma City's No. 1-ranked offense, averaging 105.7 PPG, against a Grizzlies defense that ranks No. 1 at 89.5 PPG. The Thunder field goal percentage has averaged 47.7% so far, more than the Grizzlies shooters have achieved on the year, 43.7% per game.
In comparing how the teams stack up statistically, the Grizzlies own the league's No. 2-rated mark, allowing 92.7 points per game when playing on the road. Oklahoma City, on the other hand, rates No. 3 in scoring on their home court.
The Grizzlies were a 103-100 Sportsbook in their most recent outing on the road against the 76ers. They covered the 1-point spread as favorites, while the total score (203) made Sportsbooks of OVER bettors. Marc Gasol went off for 27 points and added 7 rebounds leading Memphis over Philadelphia, 103-100, on Monday at Wells Fargo Center.
In their last action, Oklahoma City was a 105-96 loser on the road against the Lakers. They failed to cover the 3.5-point spread as favorites, while the combined score (201) was profitable news for UNDER bettors. Kevin Durant was dynamite, scoring 35 points and adding 2 rebounds but Los Angeles still won, 105-96, over Oklahoma City on Sunday at STAPLES Center.
Memphis Grizzlies Trends:
When playing on Thursday are 4-6
Before playing Washington are 2-8
After playing Philadelphia are 3-7
After a win are 5-5
Oklahoma City Thunder Trends:
When playing on Thursday are 9-1
Before playing Cleveland are 7-3
After playing LA Lakers are 8-2
After a loss are 9-1
A few Grizzlies at Thunder trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 11 of Memphis's last 13 games when playing on the road against Oklahoma City
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Memphis's last 6 games when playing Oklahoma City
Memphis is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games on the road
Memphis is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games
Oklahoma City is 15-1 SU in its last 16 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 11 of Oklahoma City's last 13 games when playing at home against Memphis
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Oklahoma City's last 6 games when playing Memphis
Oklahoma City is 8-3 SU in its last 11 games
Next up:
Memphis home to Washington, Friday, February 1
Oklahoma City at Cleveland, Saturday, February 2
