Grizzlies vs Thunder Game 6 Pick

Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Memphis Grizzlies

Game 6

Thursday 8:05 pm EST

May 1, 2014

Line: Oklahoma City -2.5

The Memphis Grizzlies aren’t supposed to be in this position.

Not after blowing a 17-point lead in Game 3 and a 20-point lead in Game 5. Not after connecting on only three shots in the entire fourth quarter of Game 5. And certainly not after Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol shot a combined 2-of-15 in the second half.

But here they are, up 3-2, with a chance to wrap up the series Thursday night in front of their home crowd. Looking to pull yet another postseason upset, a great sign for the Grizzlies was the return of Randolph, who appears to have found his rhythm. That’s not only a welcoming sight for the “Grindhouse” to see but also a dangerous one for the Thunder. In Game 4, although Randolph’s double-double was impressive (20 points and 10 rebounds), it was once again the Thunder’s inability to defend the paint as Randolph had his way down low all game long.

Over the first five games of this playoff series, we have seen the talent of the Grizzlies outplay the talent of the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference. Mike Conley Jr. has been a pleasant surprise, and Mike Miller continues to be lethal from long range. Three victories later, the Grizzlies have set themselves up to advance because they keep finding ways to win, especially on the defensive end. If the Grizzlies are able to hold on, the MVP of the series will undoubtedly be Tony Allen, who is has earned the title of the league’s best one-on-one defender. He agitates people with the ball and shuts down the opposing teams’ best player. Just ask Kevin Durant, who has struggled from the moment this series began. Game 4 was no exception.

Durant scored 26 points on 10-for-24 shooting. He has struggled throughout the series, and although he’ll get the blame, he’s not the only one at fault. Overall, the Thunder shot just 39 percent. The Thunder, one of the league’s most explosive offensive teams in the regular season, have shot below 40 percent in four of the five games in the series.

If their championship aspirations are going to continue, Durant must play better. This is the soon-to-be league MVP of the NBA, who has played more like the least valuable player than the most. This was the year where Durant and Westbrook were going to elevate their team to the next level. Unfortunately for the Thunder, they ran into a buzz saw in the Grizzlies.

Before the postseason began, no one wanted to play Memphis because now that everyone is healthy, they’re one of the best teams in the league. Yes, the Thunder might have gotten unlucky with their draw, but Vegas gave the Grizzlies basically no chance to win this series. And not only are they one win away from advancing into the second round, the Grizzlies won’t even need a seventh game to do it.

My Pick: Grizzlies Moneyline