Oklahoma City Thunder Host Memphis Grizzlies in Western Showdown

The NBA postseason rolls on with a tantalizing matchup between the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder and the resilient Memphis Grizzlies. Catch this exciting Western Conference First Round game at the Paycom Center on Sunday, with tip-off set for 1:00 PM EDT.

Game Details and Betting Odds

• Date: Sunday, April 20, 2025
• Time: 1:00 PM EDT
• Venue: Paycom Center, Oklahoma City
• Where to Watch: ABC
• Betting Odds: Oklahoma City Thunder -13.5; Over/Under: 228

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Preview: Memphis Grizzlies

The Memphis Grizzlies earned their playoff spot with a hard-fought 120-106 win over the Mavericks in their regular-season finale. Jaren Jackson Jr. led the charge with 24 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists, while Ja Morant and Desmond Bane added 22 points each. The Grizzlies shot 47% from the field and drained 13 of 31 from beyond the arc to secure the victory. Despite missing several key players due to injury, Memphis has shown they can hang tough with the league’s best.

Preview: Oklahoma City Thunder

The Oklahoma City Thunder secured the top seed in the West with plenty of time to spare, thanks to their impressive defense and balanced scoring. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the team in points (32.7 PPG), rebounds (5.0 RPG), assists (6.4 APG), and steals (1.7 SPG), while Jalen Williams added 21.6 PPG, 5.3 RPG, and 5.1 APG. The Thunder’s league-best defense, fueled by the shot-blocking prowess of Chet Holmgren, will be key in this series.

Thunder’s Keys to Victory

• Defend and rebound aggressively to limit Memphis’ second-chance points.
• Play with playoff intensity, despite the lengthy layoff.
• Continue to feed Gilgeous-Alexander and Williams to capitalize on their efficiency.

Grizzlies’ Keys to Victory

• Sustain their hot shooting from the regular season finale.
• Limit Thunder stars Gilgeous-Alexander and Williams.
• Play solid team defense, committing to stop the Thunder’s potent offense.

Player Facts

Oklahoma City Thunder

• Isaiah Joe ranks 3rd in three-pointers made per 36 minutes (4.3).
• Jalen Williams ranks 7th in steals per game (1.6).

Memphis Grizzlies

• Desmond Bane ranks 8th in FT% (89.4%).
• Zach Edey ranks 8th in rebounds per 36 minutes (13.9).

Predictions and Final Thoughts

The Oklahoma City Thunder enter this series as significant favorites, having won all four regular-season meetings by an average of 19.2 points. However, the Memphis Grizzlies have proven they can compete with the best, albeit with a shortened roster. While the Thunder boast the league’s top defense, look for the Grizzlies to make this a competitive series. Don’t be surprised if the underdog Grizzlies keep it within the 13.5-point spread.

247Sports’ expert analysis leans toward the Thunder covering the spread, but the Grizzlies’ resilience makes them a live underdog.

As always, live games can be unpredictable, so keep an eye on player matchups and momentum shifts as the action unfolds. Catch all the thrilling playoff action on ABC!

FAQ

Q: Which team won the regular-season series? A: The Oklahoma City Thunder won all four meetings.

Q: What is the betting favorite? A: The Oklahoma City Thunder are 13.5-point favorites.

Q: What is the over/under total? A: The over/under is set at 228 points.

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