OKLAHOMA CITY — The Memphis Grizzlies declared that a better version of their team would take the floor on April 22 for Game 2 against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
They were right. The Grizzlies looked improved, playing with more offensive urgency and showing more signs of life.
However, that still wasn’t enough against the top-seeded Thunder. Oklahoma City jumped out early on Memphis and managed to keep the Grizzlies from getting too close.
After Memphis got OKC’s lead down to 10 late in the third quarter, the Thunder responded with a 10-0 run that carried into fourth. Memphis fell 118-99 in Game 2 at Paycom Center.
The Grizzlies will have a chance to get back in the series at home on April 24 (8:30 p.m., TNT, FanDuel Sports Network).
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Here are three takeaways from from Game 2.
A game of adjustments
Many Grizzlies players and interim coach Tuomas Iisalo talked about watching film and making adjustments heading into Game 2. Early in the first quarter, it was more of the same for Memphis.
The Grizzlies got off to a slow start and fell into an even bigger first quarter hole. Offense was hard to come by, with Memphis shooting 22.2% in the first quarter and totaling 17 points.
Iisalo added Luke Kennard to the rotation in Game 2. Kennard’s gravity as a 3-point shooter helped with spacing, and OKC players closed out with urgency when Kennard had the ball.
Turnovers doom Memphis again
At one point in the second quarter, Memphis trailed 55-38. OKC had a 17-2 advantage in points off turnovers at the same time. If you take away the turnovers, the Grizzlies would’ve been down two points.
Despite the Grizzlies focusing on limiting turnovers, they just haven’t been able to get the job done against OKC’s stifling defense. The turnover problems continue to be the biggest issue for Memphis.
The Thunder finished the game with a 27-6 advantage in points off turnovers.
Ja Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr. stats
The critics were loud for Jaren Jackson Jr. after a subpar performance in Game 1. The Grizzlies star got off to a slow start, but he responded emphatically.
Jackson scored 13 points in the third quarter and finished with a team-high 26 points.
A lot of eyes were also on Ja Morant, who struggled to get comfortable looks in the paint. Morant usually does a lot of damage in the interior, but that’s also the strength of OKC’s defense.
Morant finished the game with 23 points on 10-for-25 shooting.
What’s next
After Game 1, multiple Grizzlies players pointed out the cliche saying that a playoffs series doesn’t start until the road team wins a game. Memphis is now down 0-2 after OKC protected its home floor.
The Grizzlies will get their chance at FedExForum on April 24, and it goes without being said that it’s a must-win game. A loss would put the Grizzlies in a 0-3 hole. No NBA team has ever overcome a 3-0 deficit.
Damichael Cole is the Memphis Grizzlies beat writer for The Commercial Appeal. Contact Damichael at [email protected]. Follow Damichael on X, formerly known as Twitter, @DamichaelC.
