[Western Conference Semi-Finals] Oklahoma City vs Memphis

The early turnaround is making for an ugly game, but that's the way it rolls when you are playing memphis. The league wished they were out of the playoffs, so they do the next best thing put them in the early game.

 

There's a reason why their attempts 3 per game is so low. They can't really hit them.

I think they're playing at the OKC pace for some reason. They need to run their offense through whichever big man is on the floor - be it Gasol or Randolph.

Right now, they're just taking the pass at the top of the key from Gasol, and just slinging it from outside.

It's 16-14 Memphis after 1. Let's watch a few more quarters before jumping to conclusions, yes? Ibaka and Perkins aren't pushovers.

 

To be honest though, Kevin Durant needs to play at least 44 minutes or so for OKC to be competitive.

 

Don't worry about Martin. He's only good for a half. Even in that last game against us he only made like 2 shots in the 2nd half. He'll look great the first half though but the difference is the Grizz bench is much better than the Houston bench and should maintain if not good a build lead while Durant is out.

 

As we've just seen, without WB, 44 mins will make him dogmeat in the 4th quarter.

There is no way in the world OKC can hang with Memphis for 48 mins unless the Grizzlies cough and wheeze on offense the entire game. Even then, I'm not sure.

 

Why does this require being honest? Seems more like speculation to me.

Grizzlies should win series in 5.

 

Nice selling of the headshot.

 

I voted for Thunder to win in 7. Memphis is actually a good matchup for this depleted Thunder. They wont miss Westbrook as much because they'd have to play big like the Grizzlies.

 

How the hell is at a flagrant on collision?

 

You know the league is pussified if that is considered a flagrant foul these days.

 

It Ibaka had a post game, OKC would have a much better shot w/o WB.

 

Read the post before that one, and you'll see why.

 

So Kevin Martin and Jerryd Bayless are the X-factors it seems. Both seem to be on point.
When Durant comes in, can Memphis hold on?

 

Knew they would call that a flagrant.

Terrible call

 

Memphis just can't generate enough offense without getting the FT advantage. KD is going to get hot and then this one will be ovah.

 

Why does everyone ignore the fact that Memphis is terrible on offense?

I'm going with Thunder in 5, might go 7 though.

 

I'm still not sure why Memphis is electing to take so many jumpers. Both Gasol and Randolph are in the game.

It's like they forgot their bread and butter.

 

but we can still punk the clippers.

 

There's a reason Memphis is a top defensive team. If players can get hot on them willy nilly, what's the point of playing defense?

That's like asking why the Spurs won their titles when they were pathetic offensively. Or the Pistons.

 

Beat those Sonics stealing Thunder!