Oklahoma City Thunder vs Memphis Grizzlies Picks and Predictions April 22nd 2025

Oklahoma City Thunder vs Memphis Grizzlies April 22nd 2025

At 7:30 ET, the Memphis Grizzlies (+690) will take on the Oklahoma City Thunder (-1072) in a Western Conference matchup. The Thunder (-14.5) are currently on a five-game win streak and are favored to win this game.

This game will be played at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City and can be seen on TNT. The over/under line for this game is 229 points.

Grizzlies vs. Thunder Key Information

• Sport: NBA
• Teams: Memphis Grizzlies at Oklahoma City Thunder
• Where: Oklahoma City at Paycom Center
• Date: Tuesday, April 22nd
• Betting Odds OKC -14.5, MEM +690 | OKC -1072 O/U 229

The Grizzlies Can Win If…

The Grizzlies’ season ended on a sour note with a 131-80 loss to the Thunder on Sunday, dropping their record to 48-34. Memphis was +13.5 point underdogs but failed to cover the spread, losing by 51 points. The total score of 211 points fell short of the 231.5-point line.

Memphis struggled from the start, trailing 32-20 after the 1st quarter. A 20-0 run by the Thunder extended the score from 37-22 to 57-22, and by the 4th quarter, the Grizzlies were down 112-63. They managed to hold the Thunder to 19 points in the final quarter but only scored 17 themselves.

In Sunday’s loss to the Thunder, the Grizzlies managed just 80 points, shooting 34.4% from the field and hitting only 6 threes at a 17.6% clip. Marvin Bagley III and Ja Morant led the team with 17 points each, with Bagley going perfect from the field.

Bagley scored 13 of his points in the 3rd quarter, while Morant added 6 points in both the 2nd and 3rd quarters. Desmond Bane struggled, shooting 25% and finishing with 9 points.

The Grizzlies struggled defensively against the Thunder, giving up 131 points in their loss. Memphis allowed 32 points in the 1st quarter, 36 in the 2nd, and 44 in the 3rd before tightening up in the 4th, where they gave up just 19 points. Overall, the Thunder shot 50% from the field.

From beyond the arc, the Thunder hit 17 threes at a 35% clip. Memphis sent Oklahoma City to the line 15 times, where they made 14 free throws. The Grizzlies recorded 30 defensive rebounds but allowed 12 offensive boards. They also finished with 7 steals and 4 blocks.

• Through their last ten road games, Memphis has an ATS record of just 4-6. However, their overall record was 4-6 while averaging 109 points per game.
• In their last ten games as the betting underdog, the Grizzlies have a straight up record of 2-8 and an ATS mark of 3-7.
• Over their last five games, the Grizzlies have an over/under record of 3-2 and are 3-2 vs. the spread.

The Thunder Can Win If…

The Thunder improved to 68-14 this season with a dominant 131-80 win over the Grizzlies on Sunday. Playing at home, Oklahoma City entered the game as -13.5 favorites and easily covered the spread. The total points for the game were 211, falling short of the 231.5 O/U line.

Oklahoma City took control early, going on a 20-0 run to extend their lead from 37-22 to 57-22. They outscored Memphis 36-16 in the 2nd quarter and 44-27 in the 3rd, leading 112-63 going into the 4th, where they outscored the Grizzlies 19-17.

The Thunder’s offense was firing on all cylinders in their 131-point win over the Grizzlies, with Aaron Wiggins leading the way with 21 points, including 11 in the 2nd quarter. Jalen Williams added 20 points, 10 of which came in the 2nd, while Chet Holmgren contributed 19 points, scoring 10 in the 3rd.

Oklahoma City connected on 17 threes, shooting 35.4% from deep, and finished with an overall field goal percentage of 50.5%. Wiggins hit 4 threes at a 57.1% clip, and Holmgren knocked down 3, shooting 75% from beyond the arc.

The Thunder put on a defensive clinic against the Grizzlies, holding them to just 80 points. They were especially stingy in the 2nd and 4th quarters, allowing only 16 and 17 points, respectively.

Oklahoma City limited Memphis to 34% shooting, including just 17% from beyond the arc, where the Grizzlies made only 6 threes. The Thunder also recorded 12 steals and 8 blocks.

• Although Oklahoma City has a straight up record of 9-1 in their last ten home games, they have not held up as well vs the spread going 9-1. The team averaged 119 points per game in these games.
• As the betting favorite, the Thunder have an ATS mark of just 8-2 in their last ten games. Oklahoma City posted a straight up mark of 8-2 in these matchups.
• In their last five games, the Thunder have an over/under record of 2-3 and are 4-1 vs. the spread.

The Lean

Not only do we have the Thunder winning this one by a score of 152-137, but we see them covering the spread. Our pick is to grab the Thunder at -14.5.

Regarding the over/under, the current line is set at 229, and our model predicts the Grizzlies and Thunder to score a combined 289 points. We recommend betting on the over

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Thunder vs Grizzlies Game 2 Preview: Memphis Seeks Redemption After Historic Blowout

The Oklahoma City Thunder delivered a thunderclap in Game 1 — a record-setting 131-80 blowout of the Memphis Grizzlies in their Western Conference first-round playoff opener. It was the kind of game that resets expectations and rattles confidence. Now, heading into Game 2 on Tuesday, both teams are looking to move forward — one with caution, the other with urgency.

For Oklahoma City, the task is avoiding a letdown. For Memphis, it’s about survival.

Game 1: One-Sided from Start to Finish

The 51-point margin in Game 1 was the largest ever in an opening playoff game, the second-worst loss in Grizzlies franchise history, and the fifth-largest blowout in NBA postseason history.

Oklahoma City dominated across the board:

• Outscored Memphis in fast break points: 27-5
• Held the Grizzlies’ starting five to 14-of-56 shooting (25%)
• Turned 24 Memphis turnovers into 24 points

Oddly enough, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City’s MVP candidate, had one of his quietest games of the season, scoring just 15 points on 4-of-13 shooting. But the rest of the Thunder roster picked up the slack, showing the team’s depth and balance.

Explore full team stats at the NBA Team Page

Thunder’s Focus: Stay Locked In

Despite the blowout, Thunder players and coaches aren’t letting their guard down.

Coach Mark Daigneault acknowledged that the result may have flattered his team, especially given Memphis’ poor shooting.

The Thunder had the NBA’s top-rated defense during the regular season, and they executed to perfection in Game 1 — but they know regression is likely. The goal for Game 2 is to match that intensity, even if Memphis finds its rhythm.

Want playoff predictions and player trends? Visit the NBA Playoff Picks

Memphis Must Respond: No Time to Panic

The Grizzlies need a full reset after Game 1. They were out of rhythm early and never recovered. Ja Morant shot just 6-of-17, and Jaren Jackson Jr. went 2-of-13 from the floor. The offense sputtered and the defense crumbled under OKC’s ball movement.

But the team is trying to keep things in perspective.

“At the end of the day, it’s one game,” said Desmond Bane. “If we lose by 50 or on a buzzer-beater, the series is still 1-0.”

Memphis coach Tuomas Iisalo echoed that sentiment, emphasizing the team’s goal of earning a road win. Still, the margin of error is shrinking. The Grizzlies dropped all four regular-season meetings against OKC by double digits, and another blowout could tip the series beyond repair.

Game 2 X-Factors

Thunder X-Factors:

• Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s bounce-back performance
• Continued defensive pressure and turnover generation
• Bench production from Aaron Wiggins, Isaiah Joe, and Chet Holmgren

Grizzlies X-Factors:

• Ja Morant needs an MVP-level performance
• Improved shooting from Jackson and the supporting cast
• Limit turnovers and contain OKC’s transition game

Track live odds and movement at the NBA Odds Page

FAQs

When is Thunder vs Grizzlies Game 2?
Tuesday night in Oklahoma City.

What was the score in Game 1?
Thunder 131, Grizzlies 80.

How did Ja Morant perform in Game 1?
He scored 20 points but shot just 6-of-17.

Who stood out for Oklahoma City?
Aaron Wiggins and Jalen Williams led the team offensively; Gilgeous-Alexander had a quiet 15 points.

What’s the series lead?
Oklahoma City leads 1-0 in the best-of-seven series.

Final Take: Thunder vs Grizzlies Game 2 Preview

The Thunder were dominant in Game 1, but in the NBA playoffs, momentum shifts fast. The Grizzlies will come out swinging, and Game 2 will test Oklahoma City’s ability to stay sharp under the weight of expectations.

Memphis can’t afford another flat performance — if they want to extend the series, it starts with a complete turnaround Tuesday night.

Check out more playoff previews on the NBA Blog