MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) – 157 teams in NBA playoff history have faced a 0-3 deficit. All 157 would be eliminated in their playoff series.<\/p>\n
Unless the Grizzlies can make a huge turnaround in Game 3 in the Forum, they will be team No. 158 to join that list.<\/p>\n
The Grizzlies have lost the first two games of the series by a combined 70 points.<\/p>\n
It is the second-worst point differential in Games 1 and 2 in playoff history.<\/p>\n
The issue in this series is that the Thunder are playing with insane intensity and outmatching Memphis with their effort, let alone the basketball play.<\/p>\n
The Grizzlies, however, have looked apathetic and were completely unable to bring any competitiveness or drama to the games in OKC.<\/p>\n
The one positive for Memphis was that they were able to outscore OKC in the third quarter 27-20, which was by far their best performance of the series.<\/p>\n
The trio of Ja Morant, Desmond Bane, and Jaren Jackson Jr. has not been able to perform up to their regular-season standards.<\/p>\n
The team that was once the 2 seed in the West is reeling from playing both games of the Play-In tournament and two road games against the best team in the conference. <\/p>\n
In both games, it has only been Ja Morant who has performed consistently, leading the team in scoring.<\/p>\n
The biggest difference in the series so far has most definitely been the turnovers leading to fastbreak points.<\/p>\n
In two games, Memphis has committed 39 turnovers and has given up 48 fast-break points to OKC. <\/p>\n
On and off stretches from Jackson Jr., Bane, and the entire bench have kept Memphis well out of reach of winning either game.<\/p>\n
Game 3 tips off Thursday night at 8:30 p.m., where OKC is favored to win by 9 points according to FanDuel.<\/p>\n