NBA Playoffs 2011: 10 Reasons the Memphis Grizzlies Could Upset the OKC Thunder
Having already logged the biggest upset of the 2011 NBA playoffs by beating San Antonio, the Memphis Grizzlies have taken aim at the Oklahoma City Thunder. With the series even at one game apiece as it moves to Memphis, either side could emerge victorious.
Read on for 10 reasons the Grizzlies have a viable chance to pull off another upset and advance to the Western Conference finals.
10. The Grizzlies Can Hit the 3 When They Need It
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While the long ball isn’t Memphis’ forte, O.J. Mayo and Shane Battier are solid three-point shooters when called on. If the Grizzlies need to cut a lead down quickly, or find themselves looking for a three-pointer to tie in a last-second situation, they aren’t totally stuck.
As Mike Conley showed in Tuesday’s loss, he can also hit a few threes when his shot is falling.
9. Memphis Has a Deep Bench
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One of Memphis’ great weapons against San Antonio was the strength of their bench. The ability to rest key starters like Tony Allen and Marc Gasol, while still having talent on the floor with subs like O.J. Mayo or Darrell Arthur lets Memphis keep their energy high over the course of a game and a series.
Oklahoma City doesn’t have the same age and durability concerns that the Spurs have, so they’re less likely to be run into the ground by a deeper opponent, but having a strong bench never hurts.
8. Oklahoma City Doesn't Have a Lot of Playoff Experience
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The question of experience cuts both ways, as these are both young, inexperienced teams on the whole. Shane Battier and Kendrick Perkins are veterans with more postseason experience, but most of the key players on both sides have only played a few series of postseason basketball.
With that inexperience comes a vulnerability to the pressure of the playoffs. The longer the Grizzlies hang around, the more likely the young Thunder will crumble under pressure and beat themselves.
7. Memphis Isn't a One-Man Show
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Even as the Grizzlies lost Tuesday’s Game 2, there were positive signs to be seen for their offense. With leading scorer Zach Randolph struggling, Mike Conley was able to step up and give Memphis 24 big points.
Stopping one elite scorer isn’t a recipe for beating the Grizzlies, and the fact that their offense can come from any of several players on any given night makes them tougher to guard over the course of a long series.
6. All the Pressure Is on the Thunder
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As Shane Battier said going into the series finale with San Antonio, the Grizzlies were playing with house money.
They still are.
Memphis has no business being in the second round, while the Thunder are supposed to be the next big thing in the West. There are no expectations on the Grizzlies, and that can be a very valuable position to be in.
5. The Grizzlies Have the Edge in Post Scoring
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Nobody is arguing that Kevin Durant isn’t a great individual scorer. However, in the half-court situations that dominate playoff basketball, it’s always an advantage to have the option to get some points inside.
While OKC relies on Serge Ibaka and Kendrick Perkins in the post (combined 15.1 PPG), the Grizzlies start Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol (combined 37.1). The ability to score when your jump shots aren’t falling is a great benefit in the postseason, and Memphis has the better personnel for that job.
4. Memphis Is Playing with Confidence
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The NBA isn’t the NHL, where one hot goaltender can win a championship, but playing well at the right time is still worth a lot.
The Grizzlies just knocked off the best team in the conference in convincing fashion. It’s hard to imagine a better reason to be playing with confidence in this series.
3. Tony Allen Can Make LIfe Difficult for Kevin Durant
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Shutting down Kevin Durant isn’t a realistic goal for any defense, but keeping him from beating you by himself is. The Grizzlies are better equipped than most teams to handle that task, thanks to defensive stopper Tony Allen.
Allen is 6’4”, so he’s giving up quite a bit of height to Durant, but he’s a physical, aggressive defender who can make the slender Durant work for his baskets. He gives Memphis a fighting chance against any perimeter scorer in the league.
2. The Grizzlies Have Home-Court Advantage Now
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These are two young teams who both benefit immensely from energetic home crowds. By stealing Game 1 on the road, the Grizzlies just have to hold serve in Memphis in order to win the series.
The Thunder could certainly take the home court back, but the fact that they even have to is a sign in Memphis’ favor.
1. Zach Randolph Is Stepping Up in the Playoffs
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Zach Randolph has his faults. Despite improvement in both areas, he’s still a sub-par defender, and he’s still not likely to pass the ball once he gets it in his hands.
That said, he’s a legitimate go-to scorer in the clutch, as he showed in the series-clinching win over the Spurs.
Having a reliable main man is crucial in the final minutes of a playoff game, and Randolph (somewhat surprisingly) has shown that he can be that guy for the Grizzlies.
