Memphis (5-1) @ Oklahoma City (6-2)

[vanjulio]

Who: Memphis Grizzlies(5-1) @ Oklahoma City Thunder (6-2)
When: November 14, 2012
Where: Ford Center, Oklahoma
Time: 7:00 PM CST
TV: ESPN,FSOK, NBALP
Season Series: First meeting this season
Team Draft Trivia: Grizzlies picked Thabeet ahead of James harden in the draft. Now Thabeet is on the Thunder and reigning 6th man of the year, Harden, is in Houston. Grizzlies selected Kevin Love ahead of Russell Westbrook, then traded Love for O.J. Mayo. Grizzlies selected Mike Conley 4th in the draft after Seattle had chosen Kevin Durant as the #2 pick behind Greg Oden.


Grizz Celeb of the Game

Carrie Underwood

Grizzlies Starters



OK Thundercats





Bench Heroes

[SD2042]

Thx van!

This matchup will be a playoff atmosphere tonight with the two budding rivals set to square off. This will come down to who outshines the other and who will endure the best.

Keys to the game.

1. Defense on Durant and Westbrook must be emphasis. Make them work for their offense.
2. Shut down K-Mart's offense.
3. Grizz have to keep the tempo on their side and don't slack off.

[darkangle901]

The bench is really playing well. Pondexter and Ellington are hitting everything.

Also I believe that the Grizz have only turned it over once in the entire first half.

Man, James Harden was really an underrated player. Thunder should have traded Westbrook and kept Harden.

[GrizzledGrizzFan]

First half was a success.

[darkangle901]

A whole bunch of questionable calls and unforced errors going against the Grizzlies. Man I hate these kind of games.

[mid-post]

Just checking in since I didn't post about the heat game (can we get a retroactive game thread on that one?); leggo Grizz, grit, grind.

[GrizzledGrizzFan]

Solid win. As much of a "Statement" win as you can have 7 games into a season

[Downtown]

I know I haven't been posting much anymore but I just wanted to say that I watched the game tonight and am impressed with how the Grizzlies are looking in mid season form this early. Keeping my fingers crossed for good health for the players. They get that break and I think they're in for another great season.

[jman3134]

Watched this game as well and was very impressed with Gay and Bayless. Randolph appears to be in previous season's form. Marc Gasol did not have a good game, but came through in the 4th quarter. I really like Pondexter and feel that we had great chemistry all around. Our bench is the best it has ever been with this squad.

[jefe]

If the bench keeps playing this way and Rudy keeps the chucking to a minimum, this team could be special - at least in terms of Grizzlies history (which is not saying too much, I know, but still).

[vanjulio]

Good point - Gasol looked lost sometimes and his shot was off. But I guess Ibaka and Perkins will do that to you. They kept saying he passes too much on ESPN. I didn't realize that's a bad thing. But it can help when he goes for double-double.

The bench, the ZOO CREW, has really been the difference maker this year. Rudy / ZBO / Gasol / Conley / Allen keep doing their thing and you add that and it's a pretty unbeatable combolation.

[vanjulio]

If the bench keeps playing this way and Rudy keeps the chucking to a minimum, this team could be special - at least in terms of Grizzlies history (which is not saying too much, I know, but still).

hey an NBA championship is very special.

[darkangle901]

Someone on the ESPN panel said the Grizzlies "look like they know who they are", and implied that that gives them a leg up on the rest of the Western Conference except possibly the Spurs.

Kenny Smith on NBATV said he thought the Grizzlies have overtaken the Thunder as the West's young contender.

I love when my team gets national praise.

[jman3134]

Yeah, I agree. But, this praise is coming a little too early in the season. Let's wait until we get through the Lakers, Charlotte on the road, and the Knicks. We should win games during our easier stretch in December, but this is not a guarantee with our team.

[vanjulio]

jman come on - we just beat the 2 NBA Finals teams in row by +10 each. I think this is time to celebrate. Like you said, anything could happen, but right now let's enjoy what's unfolding. A win tonight will bring the house down. True, Knicks are coming off a back-to-back but Miami just beat Denver at home on 2nd of a back-to-back and it's too early to blame back-to-backs on losses anyway. A win tonight to dethrone the Knicks undefeated record would be tremendous.

Grizzlies are finally getting real recognition. Let's enjoy it is all I'm saying. I know you're right - it's early - but we're talking best start in franchise History. GO GRIZZLIES

[jefe]

If the bench keeps playing this way and Rudy keeps the chucking to a minimum, this team could be special - at least in terms of Grizzlies history (which is not saying too much, I know, but still).

hey an NBA championship is very special.

NBA championships aren't won in November, my friend - I'm enjoying what we've done so far, but let's not get carried away here.

[SD2042]

I'm in agreement that the Grizzlies are doing well. All of us have to keep in mind that it's a long season. Just take this season one game at a time.