Saturday, April 19, 9:30 PM on ESPN

Chesapeake Energy Arena, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

Saturday night, the Memphis Grizzlies and the Oklahoma City Thunder will begin their 1st Round Western Conference playoff series. During the regular season, the teams met 4 times with the Thunder winning three of the four games.  The only really close game was the one that the Grizzlies won. Last season these two teams met in the Western Conference semifinals and this series marks the 3rd in 4 years that the teams have faced each other in the playoffs.

The Memphis Grizzlies spent the season wearing down their opponents.  Win or lose, anyone that faced the Grizzlies knew that they had been in a tough game.  That same attitude got them to the Western Conference Finals last year and almost got them to the NBA Finals.  And if they play that hard this year, they could go far.  The biggest key for them in Game 1 will be defense.  If they can keep the score down, they will have a good chance of coming away with a victory.

The Oklahoma City Thunder were literally carried by Kevin Durant the entire season.  Durant continues to cement himself as one of the NBA’s best and it isn’t just because of his scoring.  Durant makes the shots, gets the rebounds and still finds a way to make some passes too.  For the Thunder to take Game 1, Durant will need to find a way to get past the Memphis defense.  If he gets his points and draws enough of the defense’s attention to allow others to take advantage, the Thunder should pick up the win in Game 1.       

ATS Trends

Memphis is 19-20-2 ATS on the road this season

Memphis is 15-26-0 against the over/under on the road this season

Oklahoma City is 23-17-1 ATS at home this season

Oklahoma City is 21-20-0 against the over/under at home this season

Injuries to Watch

Memphis

12/09/13 F Quincy Pondexter Foot out for season

Oklahoma City

No injuries to report at this time

Josh's Pick: Take Oklahoma City

Get $60 worth of FREE premium member picks. No Obligation. No Salesman. No Credit Card. Fast Sign up with Instant Access Click Here

Read more articles by Josh Schonwald