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Things aren't looking too good for the Griz. Perhaps the fact Ja Morant seems to be playing at less than 100% on a sore ankle has something to do with it, but it's probably just as much the disorienting defensive schemes and quickness deployed by OKC, which is also challenging the Memphis shooters from the perimeter and holding the Griz to just 16 for 65 accuracy (24.6%) that has disoriented Morant, Desmond Bane & Co. The lopsidedness of this series, a carryover from the regular season, might be a fitting way for a Griz campaign that jumped the rails and forced out HC Taylor Jenkins, to conclude. Unders are also 11-5 overall in the playoffs (2-0 in this series) entering Thursday. Play Thunder-Grizzlies Under
It's possible the Grizzlies have mailed it in since Taylor Jenkins was fired, but if they are going to show anything in this series, it would certainly be tonight at home. I mean, this team looked like a potential West finalist a few months ago and has just imploded. Might be easy for OKC to let off the gas a little after back-to-back home blowout wins. Backdoor cover is fine. If the Grizzlies can't lose by single digits, then yeah everyone has quit and it might be time to move Ja Morant and all his distractions. I have a Bulls trade idea: Morant for Patrick Williams, Nikola Vucevic and this year's first. That would apparently been enough for Luka Doncic! But guessing the Grizz laugh.

We hit on Zach Edey o7.5 in the play-in game vs Golden State (scored 14) and his line immediately steamed up to 9.5 or even 10.5, but after 2 straight 4 pt games it’s back down. He is projected for 9.5 points because Memphis can’t think going out with the same offensive game plan that resulted in two blowout losses is a good idea. Edey only had 8 total FGAs in these two games but did make 4 of them. Prior to the last 2 playoff games Edey had been 18-7, 72% over 7.5. Chet Holmgren has been eating up Memphis. They have to get Chet in foul trouble and, for the sake of this bet, that is hopefully establishing Edey as an offensive threat.
The Thunder are off to a dominating 2-0 start to this series. They won Game 1 by 51 points and Game 2 by 19 points. In four regular season meetings, the Thunder beat the Grizzlies by 24, 13, 17 and 21 points. I like them to beat the Grizzlies by double-digits again and eventually sweep them out of the first round.

We are officially back IN on Zach Edey. He is projected for 9.5 points in the SportsLine Model because Memphis can’t possibly think going out with the same offensive plan that resulted in a 51 point and a 19 point loss is a good idea. Prior to the last 2 playoff games, Edey had been 18-7, 72% over 7.5. Let's continue to ride the Edey wave and buy back in at his knocked down point line.
So far this season, this matchup has been the NBA equivalent of George Foreman vs. Joe Frazier. Six wins, six covers for OKC, no margin less than 13; we hardly think a change in venue to the Bluff City will change the dynamics, either, as the Thunder won by 13 and 17 earlier this season at FedEx Forum. OKC's defensive length has wrecked the Griz, held under 100 points in the first two games, and with Ja Morant playing on a bad wheel, Memphis is fighting with a hand tied behind its back. The Thunder hasn't even needed SGA at his best (just 22 ppg the first two playoff games after 36.3 pg vs. Griz during the season) to pull clear. Play Thunder
This looks and feels like a sweep to me and one of the more lopsided in recent NBA history. The Grizz know they can't play with what might be the best and most balanced team in the NBA. Memphis' defensive collapse has been well documented - problem is they were far worse defensively at home than on the road, OKC brings it for all 48 mins even when they have a healthy lead and I suspect they are out to make a point and bring their home effort on the road here to put a total stranglehold on this series. OKC has covered 17 of 19 going back to the regular season. They are 10-points better and hungrier than Memphis.
Team Injuries





