{"id":15293,"date":"2025-05-07T06:08:21","date_gmt":"2025-05-07T06:08:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/15293\/"},"modified":"2025-05-07T06:08:21","modified_gmt":"2025-05-07T06:08:21","slug":"okc-thunder-rolls-past-memphis-grizzlies-to-2-0-lead-in-nba-playoffs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/15293\/","title":{"rendered":"OKC Thunder rolls past Memphis Grizzlies to 2-0 lead in NBA Playoffs"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Oklahoma City Thunder<\/a> is halfway to a first-round sweep in the NBA Playoffs<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander<\/a> scored 27 points and the top-seeded Thunder rolled to a 118-99 win<\/a> over the eighth-seeded Memphis Grizzlies<\/a> in Game 2 of a best-of-seven series Tuesday night at Paycom Center<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Two days after a record 51-point blowout, the Grizzlies showed more resolve in Game 2, but it still wasn’t enough to threaten OKC.<\/p>\n

After having a -69 point differential the first quarters\u00a0of the series, the Grizzlies made things interesting in the second half. Memphis cut the deficit to single digits several\u00a0times in the third quarter, outscoring OKC 27-20 in the frame.<\/p>\n

But the Thunder made a statement to open the fourth quarter with a 7-0 run, capped by a thunderous dunk from Cason Wallace to\u00a0extend OKC’s\u00a0lead to 97-79.<\/p>\n

Jaren Jackson Jr. scored a team-high 26 points for Memphis, while Ja Morant<\/a> added 23.<\/p>\n

Game 3 is set for 8:30 p.m. Thursday at FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn.<\/p>\n

Catch up on anything you missed during the game below:\u00a0<\/p>\n

5 TAKEAWAYS: OKC Thunder answers every Memphis Grizzlies run to go up 2-0 in NBA Playoffs<\/a><\/p>\n

Thunder vs. Grizzlies live score updates in Game 2 of NBA Playoffs<\/p>\n

CARLSON: Thunder beating Grizzlies at own game, controlling pace and NBA playoff series<\/a><\/p>\n

Memphis just outscored OKC in a quarter for the first time in the series, 27-20. Only got beat in the second by three points, meaning Grizzlies trail Thunder 90-79 entering the fourth \u2014 long way away from 50.<\/p>\n

More: Why ‘watch the games’ sentiment remains relevant for OKC Thunder amid NBA Playoffs<\/a><\/p>\n

Ja Morant finally got going in the second quarter.<\/p>\n

But Shai Gilgeous-Alexander got going, too.<\/p>\n

The Thunder superstar added six points to his first-quarter total, going into halftime with 12 points. While that isn\u2019t a ton of points by SGA\u2019s standards, he seemed to find a flow that had been absent in this series.\u00a0<\/p>\n

After hitting a three, he drove and flipped a no-look, over-his-head pass to Lu Dort who drained a 3.<\/p>\n

Even though the Thunder extended its 15-point first-quarter lead, Morant\u2019s heat up bears watching. After hitting no shots from the field and scoring just one point in the first quarter, the Memphis All-Star went 5 of 8 and scored 11 points in the second.<\/p>\n

\u2014Jenni Carlson, Columnist<\/p>\n

Ja Morant vowed that the Grizzlies would “never play that bad again”<\/a> following a 51-point loss in Game 1 on Sunday.<\/p>\n

And while Memphis’ offense did take better care of the basketball in the first quarter of Game 2, committing three turnovers, it couldn’t buy a bucket.<\/p>\n

The Grizzlies missed their first 10 shots. By the time they finally ended the drought at the 8:27 mark with a Desmond Bane layup, the Thunder held a 9-2 lead.<\/p>\n

Memphis went 6 for 27 from the floor (22.2%) in the quarter. Chet Holmgren led OKC with nine points and four rebounds.<\/p>\n

\u2014Justin Martinez, Staff writer<\/p>\n

Hard to overstate what Isaiah Hartenstein has done for this offense. It\u2019s been impossible to keep OKC from advantages. The push shot is always there.<\/p>\n

Chet Holmgren has been incredible. If it isn\u2019t obvious, this Memphis frontcourt is in for a long (but probably short) series.<\/p>\n

Memphis is 3 for 18 to start Game 2.<\/p>\n

\u2014Joel Lorenzi, Staff writer<\/p>\n

Since Ja Morant first stepped onto the court donning Memphis blue, silver and gold, the Grizzlies have built their offensive identity around one key element: speed.<\/p>\n

Memphis boasted the league\u2019s top transition offense during its 2021\u201322 Western Conference Semifinals run. Fast forward to today, and while they’ve slipped slightly to eighth in fast break scoring, that up-tempo DNA still runs through the team\u2019s veins.<\/p>\n

Despite the slight dip in pace, head coach Tuomas Iisalo remains firm in his belief that tempo is still a crucial weapon for the Grizzlies.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe need to play faster than the other team before the defense gets set,\u201d Iisalo said. \u201cEven though the Thunder had the best transition defense in the whole league this season, it’s still about giving up more points in transition than in the half court. So continue to do that and offensively generate the best possible shot through those interactions.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2014Jordan Davis, Staff writer<\/p>\n

Mark Daigneault<\/a> isn\u2019t underestimating the Memphis Grizzlies<\/a>, no matter how dreadful they began the series.<\/p>\n

Putting himself \u2014 and his team \u2014 in their shoes after a 51-point drubbing might prove difficult. But he remains up for the challenge.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a challenge every night, and that\u2019s why we emphasize that so much during the year,\u201d Daigneault said pregame Tuesday. \u201c\u2026 Last year we won Game 1 by a point or something like that. But you\u2019re still 1-0 in the series. This year, we won it in a blowout, and you\u2019re still 1-0 in the series. The other team is gonna be just as motivated, whether they lose by one or lose by a lot of points.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2014Joel Lorenzi, Staff writer<\/p>\n

More: Why OU women’s gymnastics has big fan in OKC Thunder coach Mark Daigneault<\/a><\/p>\n

Date:\u00a0Tuesday, April 22Time:\u00a06:30 p.m. CTWhere:\u00a0Paycom Center in OKC<\/p>\n

CARLSON: NBA teams ‘don’t respect’ OKC Thunder? Game 1 rout of Grizzlies should raise fear factor<\/a><\/p>\n

Where to watch Thunder vs Grizzlies NBA playoff game tonight?TV:\u00a0TNT, FanDuel Sports NetworkHow to watch online:\u00a0Sling TV (free trial<\/a>)Radio:\u00a0WWLS 98.1FM<\/p>\n

More: Ja Morant, Grizzlies vow to ‘never play that bad again’ after historic rout vs OKC Thunder<\/a><\/p>\n

Thunder vs. Grizzlies betting odds<\/p>\n

Odds via\u00a0BetMGM<\/a>\u00a0as of Monday, April 21<\/p>\n

Odds:\u00a0Thunder by 14.5<\/p>\n

Over\/under:\u00a0228.5<\/p>\n

Moneyline:\u00a0OKC -1100 | Memphis +675<\/p>\n

More: When will 2024-25 NBA awards be announced? Schedule set for most winners<\/a><\/p>\n

Thunder vs. Grizzlies prediction, picks<\/p>\n

Justin Martinez:\u00a0OKC 126, Memphis 108<\/p>\n

After a historically-bad performance in Game 1, Memphis can only play better this time around. Still, the Grizzlies will continue to have matchup issues. OKC is elite at slowing its opponent down, and Memphis’ offense struggles in the half-court setting. The Thunder is also elite at forcing turnovers, and the Grizzlies struggle to take care of the basketball. This game will be closer because it has to be, but OKC will still get the win at home.<\/p>\n

MUSSATTO: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was off, OKC was not. Thunder showed depth in rout of Grizzlies.<\/a><\/p>\n

Thunder vs. Grizzlies injury updates<\/p>\n

Thunder:\u00a0Ousmane Dieng (left calf strain) is out. Nikola Topic (left knee surgery) is out.<\/p>\n

Grizzlies:\u00a0Brandon Clarke (right knee PCL sprain) is out. Jaylen Wells (right wrist fracture, facial laceration and concussion protocol) is out.<\/p>\n

REPORT CARD: How did OKC Thunder grade out vs Grizzlies in NBA playoff opener? We examine the rout<\/a><\/p>\n

More: How did OKC Thunder shut down Ja Morant, Zach Edey and Memphis Grizzlies in NBA Playoffs?<\/a><\/p>\n

Thunder vs. Grizzlies highlights in Game 2 of NBA Playoffs<\/p>\n

We occasionally recommend interesting products and services. If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. USA TODAY Network newsrooms operate independently, and this doesn\u2019t influence our coverage.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The Oklahoma City Thunder is halfway to a first-round sweep in the NBA Playoffs. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 27…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":15294,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3795],"tags":[59,7,265,618,366,311,57,56,80,60,839,267,284,268,623,294,619,625,624,496,106,119,270,838,183,293,177,4070,54,79,70,85,6,11,62,67,310,179,58,61,81,269,34,622,209,66,83,55,271,312,264,282],"class_list":{"0":"post-15293","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-memphis-grizzlies","8":"tag-affiliate","9":"tag-basketball","10":"tag-blog","11":"tag-chet","12":"tag-chet-holmgren","13":"tag-city","14":"tag-commerce","15":"tag-contains","16":"tag-contains-commerce-or-affiliate-content","17":"tag-content","18":"tag-dort","19":"tag-exclude","20":"tag-exclude-from-paywall-logic-testing","21":"tag-from","22":"tag-gilgeous-alexander","23":"tag-grizzlies","24":"tag-holmgren","25":"tag-jackson","26":"tag-jaren","27":"tag-jaren-jackson-jr","28":"tag-jr","29":"tag-live","30":"tag-logic","31":"tag-luguentz","32":"tag-luguentz-dort","33":"tag-memphis","34":"tag-memphis-grizzlies","35":"tag-memphisgrizzlies","36":"tag-modular","37":"tag-modular-story","38":"tag-national","39":"tag-national-sports","40":"tag-nba","41":"tag-nba-playoffs","42":"tag-neutral","43":"tag-news","44":"tag-oklahoma","45":"tag-oklahoma-city-thunder","46":"tag-or","47":"tag-overall","48":"tag-overall-neutral","49":"tag-paywall","50":"tag-playoffs","51":"tag-shai","52":"tag-shai-gilgeous-alexander","53":"tag-sports","54":"tag-sports-news","55":"tag-story","56":"tag-testing","57":"tag-thunder","58":"tag-ttp","59":"tag-ttp-live-blog"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"","error":"Validation failed: Text character limit of 500 exceeded"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15293","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=15293"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15293\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/15294"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=15293"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=15293"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=15293"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}