Memphis Grizzlies VS OKC Thunder Preseason Game Recap

Posted on October 18, 2015 by Elizabeth Smith

Share the joy

For the Grizzlies fourth preseason game, they took on the OKC Thunder. The Thunder have former MVP Kevin Durant back in the lineup. With a healthy Russell Westbrook and Serge Ibaka, this team is automatically a contender for the title this year. The Thunder brought back much of their supporting key cast, including Steven Adams, Nick Collison, and Dion Waiters. They did lose PG Reggie Jackson, who shot 43.2% and played 1398 minutes for them last season, in a trade to Detroit this past February where they picked up Enis Kanter and Jackson replacement D.J. Augustin. OKC came into this preseason game with the same 3-0 record as the Grizzlies. They averaged 111ppg.

Coming into this game, Memphis averaged 93ppg with leading scorers ranging from Russ Smith to Marc Gasol to Zach Randolph. The team averaged 46% shooting and 35.3% from beyond the arc over 3 games. Jordan Adams and Jarell Martin have yet to play in preseason due to injuries. Marc Gasol is leading the preseason averaging 13ppg, 6rpg and 2 bpg. Mike Conley is having a tough time scoring with 5.3ppg but is averaging 4.3 assists. Zach Randolph is averaging 7ppg while Courtney Lee and Jeff Green are averaging 11ppg and 9.6ppg respectively. As the fourth preseason game, Grizz came into this game still experimenting with lineups and evaluating strengths and weaknesses with both individuals and player combinations.

The Oklahoma City Thunder rested Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, and Serge Ibaka, while Enis Kanter didn’t even make the trip in order to rehab on his right ankle injury he suffered in the Mavericks game. The Memphis Grizzlies also elected to rest key players Courtney Lee, Mike Conley, Marc Gasol, Zach Randolph, Tony Allen, and Beno Udrih. The Grizz started Jeff Green, Brandan Wright, Jarnell Stokes, Vince Carter, and Russ Smith while the Thunder started Andre Roberson, Nick Collison, Steven Adams, Dion Waiters, and D.J. Augustin.

1^st Quarter: The first basket of the game goes to Russ Smith. The era of Russdiculous begins. Smith racked up 4 points, 2 assists, and 2 steals in 8:58 of action. Want to know my other notes for this quarter? *JAMychal Green. I’m a JaMychal Green Girl. JaMychal Green is a workhorse.* JaMychal Green isn’t giving Coach Joerger any reason to take away his roster spot. The man puts in work on that court. He most definitely has the heart to be on this team. With 10 quick points in 5:05, JAM Green also thankfully has the basketball skills we need. Matt Barnes makes a 3! Grizz ended the quarter up 26-14.

Grizz vs Thunder End of 1st Quarter

2^nd Quarter: More JaMychal Green with 4 more points. Russ Smith also picked up 4 more points. Vince Carter finally hits a 3, but ends up going 1/3 from beyond the arc in the quarter. Thunder Guard Anthony Morrow had a 13 point quarter, but the Grizzlies still kept their foot on the gas and ended the quarter up 55-38.

3^rd Quarter: Jeff Green played the entire 3^rd quarter and ended with 7 points, hitting 2/2 from 3 point range. The period ended with the Grizzlies up 79-55.

4^th Quarter: OKC won the quarter 23-15, but it wasn’t enough and the Grizzlies won the game 94-78.

Preseason Game 4 is in the books. Grizzlies win!

Misc. Thoughts:

-Ryan Hollins might not be on this roster, but deserves to be on a roster somewhere. He put in work and sacrificed his body in a preseason game. Hollins really wants a roster spot. The way that Coach Joerger talked in the presser, he wants Hollins here also.

-Russ Smith doesn’t know quit. The guy reminds me of a mini Westbrook.

-JAMYCHAL GREEN WILL SAVE US ALL. Okay, not really, but I love the guy.

-Wheelchair basketball is great. Want to talk about heart? Those guys have it.

-Grizz and the Kings of the Court made their season debut tonight and did not disappoint.

-Note to the fan in club leading the “We want Zbo” chant: I respect your enthusiasm my friend, but Zbo isn’t coming in.

-To the guy starting the “DEFENSE” chant with the Grizz up 18 with less than one minute left: YOU THE REAL MVP.

-Rick Trotter is in mid-season form. Keep growling Mr. Trotter.

-GrizzNation still hasn’t forgiven Steven Adams and isn’t likely to anytime soon.

-Grizz Girls and Super Grizz made appearances.

-Bartlett native Cameron Payne had a nice cheering section. Payne played 23:36 and finished with 11 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 fouls, 1 steal, 3 turnovers, and 2 blocks.

-OKC without their stars went 12.5% from 3 point range. Owch. Grizz went 33.3%.

-The game was tied 5 times, but the Thunder never led.

-Grizzlies won the paint battle 44-38.