Ranking top Western Conference threats to OKC Thunder in NBA Playoffs
Here are the five biggest threats to the OKC Thunder in the Western Conference this playoffs.
The No. 1-seeded OKC Thunder will face the No. 8-seeded Memphis Grizzlies in the first round of the 2025 NBA Playoffs.
Game 1 of the best-of-seven series is set for noon CT Sunday in Oklahoma City. OKC (68-14) went 4-0 in the regular season against Memphis (48-34).
Here’s a look at how the Thunder-Grizzlies first-round matchup is projected to play out:
First-round picks: Nuggets vs Clippers | Lakers vs Timberwolves | Rockets vs Warriors | Cavaliers vs Heat | Pacers vs Bucks | Knicks vs Pistons | Celtics vs Magic
NBA AWARDS BALLOTS: Most Valuable Player, Defensive Player of the Year, Coach of the Year, All-NBA teams
Thunder vs Grizzlies series prediction, picks
Justin Martinez: OKC, 4-1
Memphis has a fast, dynamic offense that’s led by Ja Morant. The Grizzlies rank second in the NBA in points per game (121.7), and they can inflict serious damage if they’re allowed to run and attack the rim. But OKC has the defensive tools to slow Memphis down. The Thunder has numerous point-of-attack defenders such as Lu Dort, Alex Caruso, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Cason Wallace. And if the Grizzlies get past them, they’ll run into rim protectors such as Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein. OKC’s defense will shine, and Gilgeous-Alexander will light up the scoreboard against a Memphis team that won’t have many answers for him. Thunder in five.
BetMGM: OKC (-2000) is the favorite to win the first-round playoff series vs Memphis
OKC opened as a -2000 favorite to beat Memphis in the first round of the playoffs.
Series winner: OKC -2000 | Memphis +1000
Thunder vs. Grizzlies Game 1 betting odds
Odds via BetMGM as of Saturday, April 19
Odds: OKC by 12.5Over/under: 226.5Moneyline: OKC -800 | Memphis +550
ESPN: OKC Thunder has a 77.5% chance to beat the Memphis Grizzlies in Game 1
ESPN gives OKC a 77.5% chance to win in Game 1 on Sunday.
OKC Thunder vs. Memphis Grizzlies playoff schedule
All times are Central Time (CT)
Game 1: Memphis at OKC, noon Sunday, April 20 (ABC)Game 2: Memphis at OKC, 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 22 (TNT/FDSN)Game 3: OKC at Memphis, 8:30 p.m. Thursday, April 24 (TNT/FDSN)Game 4: OKC at Memphis, 2:30 p.m. Saturday, April 26 (TNT/FDSN)Game 5 (If necessary): Memphis at OKC, TBD Monday, April 28 (TBD)Game 6 (If necessary): OKC at Memphis, TBD Thursday, May 1 (TBD)Game 7 (If necessary): Memphis at OKC, TBD Saturday, May 3 (TBD)
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