Grizzlies Face Deficit as Thunder Dominate in Playoff Series

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The Memphis Grizzlies are in a tough spot after suffering a combined 70-point deficit in their first two playoff games against the Oklahoma City Thunder. The series, which is in the first round of the playoffs, has left the Grizzlies with an uphill battle as they try to avoid going down 3-0, a situation from which no NBA team has ever recovered.

The Grizzlies lost game 1 by 51 points, marking one of the worst playoff defeats in NBA history. Game 2 was equally challenging, as Memphis trailed by as many as 23 points before narrowing the gap. Ultimately, the Thunder secured a strong lead with a 9-0 run in the fourth quarter, sealing the Grizzlies’ fate. Head coach Tuomas Iisalo now faces intense scrutiny as his team struggles on both ends of the court.

“We need to match their energy for a full 48 minutes,” said Grizzlies star Ja Morant, who has faced criticism for his performance in the series. In game 1, Morant left the court momentarily, and upon his return, the team was already down significantly. Despite his presence, he ended the game with a dismal shooting record of 6 for 17.

The Grizzlies’ struggles can be traced to their lack of fast-break points. While the Thunder racked up 48 fast-break points over the first two games, Memphis managed only eight. This stark contrast highlights the Grizzlies’ struggles to adapt their high-paced offense to match Oklahoma City’s defensive intensity.

Additionally, turnovers have plagued the Grizzlies, resulting in 39 turnovers leading to 49 points for the Thunder. Memphis has only managed to capitalize on 23 turnovers made by Oklahoma City, scoring just 16 points off those mistakes.

The size of the task at hand is daunting; historical data shows that teams facing a 2-0 deficit in playoffs have a low chance of coming back to win the series. As the Grizzlies prepare for game 3, they will need to make significant adjustments to stay alive in the series.

General manager Zach Kleiman will have decisions to make in the offseason, especially if the team continues to struggle. With players like Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr., and Desmond Bane at the forefront, it is crucial for the core to step up and help the Grizzlies find their footing against the formidable Thunder.