Without Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC takes down Memphis again

If Ja Morant and Zach Edey are out for Memphis, Oklahoma City will be without Shai Giljus-Alexander, Chet Holmgren, Isaiah Hartenstein or Cason Wallace for this matchup in Tennessee…

And this can be seen in the first half, physically dominated by the players of Tuomas Iisal, who gain a one-on-one advantage, which they manage to convert, to take up to 21 points in advance. Jaren Jackson Jr. is so unsustainable and with his ugly 3/19 from long range, the Thunder players can’t handle the opposing pace.

At halftime, the Grizzlies have a game lead (65-46), but OKC has the resources and has a very good Ajay Mitchellseeded for the occasion, Marc Daigneault’s troupe are starting to catch up.

However, Memphis still maintains a 14-point lead (109-95) with six minutes left. The problem: The Thunder’s defense still had a few notches and the Grizzlies will struggle. Ajay Mitchell and his teammates went on a 14-0 run in the final period to finally take the lead on Kenrich Williams’ 3-pointer! In the back, Jaren Jackson Jr. loses the ball and then Alex Caruso against Cedric Coward at the last second.

WHAT TO REMEMBER

– Thunder with character. Without Shai Giljus-Alexander, Chet Holmgren, Isaiah Hartenstein or even Cason Wallace, Oklahoma City still managed to turn around a very poor matchup. While the deficit approached twenty points for much of the second and third quarters, Ajay Mitchell and his teammates turned it around in the money, thanks to a 14-0 run that inevitably leaves Memphis with regrets.

– The Grizzlies definitely can’t beat the Thunder. Even without Ja Morant, it was the perfect opportunity for Memphis to get over its anger. With this success, Oklahoma City remains at 16 consecutive victories, including the playoffs, against the Grizzlies!

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How to read statistics? Min = Minute; Shots = Shots Successful / Shots Attempted; 3 points = 3 points / attempt 3 points; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive jump; T = Total number of jumps; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal mistakes; Int = intercepts; Bp = lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = point difference when the player is on the court; Points = Points; Rating: player rating calculated based on positive actions – negative actions.