Thunder vs. Grizzlies NBA Playoffs Preview, Picks

On account of rising from the NBA play-in match with the eighth and last seed within the Western Convention, the Memphis Grizzlies have earned the precise to try to upset the Oklahoma City Thunder in a best-of-seven collection within the first spherical of the 2025 playoffs.

Take a look at Odds Shark’s preview for this highly-anticipated Western Convention showdown, full with betting odds, matchup histories, and last predictions. 

Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder vs. Memphis Grizzlies Collection Winner Odds

Odds courtesy of FanDuel; Correct as of April 19, 2025

The 68-14 Thunder ran roughshod by the West this previous season with an astounding 16-game lead over the remainder of the pack. To additional emphasis simply how spectacular that was, the distinction between the No. 2-seeded Houston Rockets and No. 13-seeded Portland Path Blazers was additionally precisely 16 video games. It set a brand new report for probably the most victories by Oklahoma Metropolis in franchise, as nicely, beating the earlier mark of 64 by the 1995-96 Seattle SuperSonics. 

The Grizzlies, in the meantime, stumbled mightily getting back from the All-Star break, ending the marketing campaign with a 12-16 report and 18th-ranked protection throughout that stretch to simply get into the play-in bracket. They misplaced all 4 video games to Oklahoma Metropolis in 2024-25 by no fewer than 13 factors, and really have not crushed their upcoming opponent since Dec. 7, 2022.

Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder vs. Memphis Grizzlies Collection Schedule

Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder vs. Memphis Grizzlies Unfold/Complete Betting Historical past

Memphis’ finest likelihood to finish its shedding skid got here on February 8 at dwelling when each Chet Holmgren and Luguentz Dort have been out of motion and the unfold was set at simply 1.5 factors. Sadly, it did not make a lot of a distinction on the finish of the day. The Thunder possessed the highest ATS report in all of basketball at 53-26-4, that means they efficiently coated the unfold 67.1-percent of the time. The second-best staff in that division was the Cleveland Cavaliers at 59.3 p.c.

Each the Grizzlies and Oklahoma Metropolis truly ranked within the top-third of groups reaching an OVER within the whole market, but after they competed towards one another, they may solely handle to achieve an OVER as soon as of their 4 contests. 

(Associated) 2025 NBA Playoff Series Prices

Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder Participant To Watch: Jalen Williams

Nobody is anticipating possible Most Helpful Participant winner Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to fizzle out underneath the intense lights. He scored 30 or extra factors 49 occasions this previous season together with throughout all 4 video games versus the Grizzlies. The query now turns into which participant on the roster would be the No. 2 he requires to raise the staff to a championship win. Now Jalen Williams has primarily served as that possibility and was simply named to his first-ever All-Star staff, and he actually seemed the half in final yr’s playoffs averaging 18.7 factors on 46.9 p.c taking pictures.

Expectations are clearly a lot better this time round, and Williams cannot afford to take an excessive amount of of a backseat regardless of how deep the Thunder could also be. This collection with Memphis shall be a great beginning off level to additional set up Williams as a pressure to be reckoned with and assist take among the strain off of his teammate SGA. The 24-year-old wing is without doubt one of the prime 3-and-D choices within the sport, and will find yourself being the Scottie Pippen of this title run.

Memphis Grizzlies Participant To Watch: Zach Edey

It has been talked about to loss of life on Odds Shark over the previous few weeks with our participant props about how a lot the Grizzlies dropped the ball not electing to present middle Zach Edey a more healthy dose of enjoying time from the very begin of his rookie profession. He is lastly beginning to exceed half-hour of motion, which is best late than by no means, and simply averaged 14.5 rebounds over Memphis’ pair of play-in video games.

At 7-foot-4, his presence shall be essential to counteract Oklahoma Metropolis’s frontcourt tandem of Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein. The Grizzlies have a bonus on the glass after rating second total at 47.3 per sport, and Edey is clearly an enormous (actually and figuratively) of that. He’ll want to remain out of foul hassle, in fact, and he will not be of a lot use defensively in a one-on-one situation with Holmgren if he strikes away from the basket, however all in all, if Memphis actually believes it has a shot right here, Edey will have to be a double-double machine we have seen him be.

Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder vs. Memphis Grizzlies Collection Prediction End result: Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder 4-0 (+148)

Nearly as good because the Grizzlies had at one level confirmed themselves to be, ought to this collection must go six or extra video games and probably find yourself of their favor, it will be seen as a monumental upset. The Thunder have dominated this matchup for years, and past probably getting surprised in Recreation 1 with Memphis having lately competed and the house facet coming off an prolonged break, there’s little purpose to imagine the Grizzlies realistically have a shot to prevail right here. 

The firing of former head coach Taylor Jenkins in favor of appointing interim coach Tuomas lisalo was finished to doubtlessly invigorate the staff heading into the postseason and maybe spark a much-needed resurgence. It is a disgrace, then, that the end result was squaring off with the seemingly invincible Thunder. It is not a slight to say they do not stand an opportunity. It is merely a credit score to Oklahoma Metropolis’s excellence and the way the bulk maintain it in such excessive regard. 

2025 NBA Playoff Previews

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