One of the most anticipated Memphis Grizzlies regular-season games this year is here.
A battle between the Grizzlies and Oklahoma City Thunder will feature the top two seeds in the Western Conference. Both teams are also closer to being fully healthy.
When Memphis played OKC (41-9) on Dec. 29, Ja Morant, Zach Edey, Brandon Clarke, GG Jackson and Vince Williams Jr. were not active.
The Grizzlies (35-16) will have all of those players on Saturday at FedExForum. Desmond Bane is questionable due to a left ankle sprain, and Cam Spencer remains out due to wrist surgery.
Oklahoma City will be without rising star big man Chet Holmgren, who will be resting on the second leg of a back to back.
Saturday will be a battle of two of the top offenses and defenses in the NBA. Memphis leads the NBA in points per game, but OKC has the league’s best point differential. OKC and Memphis are both top six in the NBA in steals and blocks.
Taking care of the ball will be of the utmost importance for Memphis. The Thunder force the most turnovers in the NBA while leading the league in defensive field goal percentage, 3-point percentage allowed and points per game allowed.
The Grizzlies are last in the NBA in turnovers per game.
With Holmgren out, the Thunder will rely on Isaiah Hartenstein as its one available center. The Thunder are 16th in the NBA in rebounding. Memphis, led by Zach Edey, is the NBA’s No. 1 ranked rebounding team.
Follow along for live updates.
Game lines and odds from BetMGM:
Moneyline: Thunder -135, Grizzlies +110
Spread: Thunder -2.5
Over/under: 242.5
Damichael Cole is the Memphis Grizzlies beat writer for The Commercial Appeal. Contact Damichael at damichael.cole@commercialappeal.com. Follow Damichael on X, formerly known as Twitter, @DamichaelC.
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