Things Oklahoma City Thunder should do to fend off the Memphis Grizzlies in game-7 (Part-1)
The Western Conference semifinal series between the Memphis Grizzlies and the Oklahoma City (OKC) Thunder has turned out to be most exciting contest of this year’s post-season. The duel between OKC and the Grizzlies is the only second round matchup in both the conferences that has gone the full distance. With neither time willing to die wandering, the game 7 of the Western Conference best-of-seven semi-final series will unearth at the Oklahoma City Arena on Sunday afternoon.
The Grizzlies have been the break-out stars of the playoffs. After taking down the Western Conferences’ best San Antonio Spurs in six games in the first round they have now given OKC a run for their money. Thunder certainly won’t like to join the San Antonio Spurs as a team to be overwhelmed by the eighth seeded Grizzlies.
Ever since they brought Kendrick Perkins into the team, the Oklahoma City are being touted as legitimate contenders to win the championship this year. However, standing in their way are the Memphis Grizzlies, who have just thrashed the record of most wins by a eighth seeded team in the Western Conference.
Here are the five things OKC Thunder needs to do in order to outshine the resurgent Memphis Grizzlies on Sunday night.
Exploit Grizzlies double-team
In order to keep their play-off hopes alive, Memphis exercised the strategy by double-teaming Oklahoma City’s scoring machine Kevin Durant in game-6. Every time Durant grabbed the ball, Marc Gasol and company surged to make quick turns that made the life difficult for the superstar as his lack of production was one of the major reasons Thunder lost the game.
Scott Brooks, Oklahoma City coach must take notice that the opposition was double-teaming his prolific forward and should come up with a suitable solution in the final game. There is no doubt that Memphis will continue to utilize the same strategy that got them success.
Thunder should bring in their big man Perkins to counter Gasol under the basket. This will make it tough for Gasol to hound Durant. Secondly, double-teaming always leaves someone open and OKC have to ensure that they utilize that space on Sunday night.
Double-team Zach Randolph
If Zach Randolph fires, the Grizzlies fire and when he does not, they lose more often than not. The best way to counter the Grizzlies on Sunday night is to put a leash on their best player. Zach Randolph has been the frontrunner for the Grizzlies right from the beginning of the post-season. Now with the season on the line, the Thunder have to chalk out a strategy to outsmart him. They failed to achieve that in game-6 and Randolph exploded with a game-high 30 points and 13 rebounds to tie the best-of-seven series 3-3.
Grizzlies’ influential forward is on a tear. If you give him an opportunity, chances are quite less he won’t take advantage of it. The Oklahoma City needs to ensure that Randolph does not get any open looks on the night and if possible,they should also slash his rebounding prowess by double-teaming him.
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