<p>
ESPN’s opener as part of a Wednesday night NBA double header is a Western Conference clash between the Memphis Grizzlies and the Oklahoma City Thunder at Chesapeake Arena. Tip-off for this battle between a pair of closely matched playoff contenders in the West has been set for 8 p.m. (ET).
</p>
<h2>
Memphis at Oklahoma City Game Overview<br />
</h2>
<p>
The Grizzlies have built some momentum heading into this game with a huge 128-119 road upset of Golden State last Friday as 13.5-point underdogs. They went on to beat Utah 88-79 this past Sunday as 2.5-point favorites at home to improve to 4-2 both straight-up and against the spread in their last six games. The total stayed well UNDER the closing 187.5-point line against the Jazz after going OVER in seven of their previous eight games.
</p>
<p>
Memphis is holding down the fifth spot in the Western Conference standings at 24-16 SU (21-19 ATS). The Grizzlies have shown some solid depth across its lineup with veteran players such as Marc Gasol, Mike Conley and Zach Randolph accounting for the majority of the scoring on a team that is ranked 25th in the NBA in points per game (99.3). The real strength of Memphis this season has been a strong defensive effort that is ranked third in the league in points allowed (98.6). That average has spiked to 107.3 PPG in its last four outings despite the recent wins over the Warriors and the Jazz.
</p>
<div class="promo">
GET A 50% DEPOSIT BONUS UP TO $2500 AT THIS REPUTABLE SPORTSBOOK>>> <a class="advblue" href="javascript:GoTo(Betonline)" title="BetOnline Sports Book">BETONLINE</a>.
</div>
<p>
Oklahoma City is a half game in back of the Grizzlies in the West at 23-16 SU with a 21-18 record ATS. It is coming off back-to-back victories (SU and ATS) against Denver at home and Chicago on the road as favorites in both contests. Prior to that, the Thunder had lost four of five games SU while going 2-3 ATS. The total stayed UNDER 210.5 in the 109-94 win against the Bulls as one-point favorites and it has stayed UNDER or ended as a PUSH in six of their last nine games.
</p>
<p>
Russell Westbrook continues to be a one-man show for Oklahoma City with a NBA-high 31.2-point scoring average. He is second in the league in assists (10.4) and the team leader in rebounds with an average of 10.6 a night. Starter Victor Olapido (16.1 PPG) and Enes Kanter off the bench (13.8) are the next two leading scorers on a Thunder team that is averaging 106.9 PPG, which is the sixth-highest total in the NBA. Oklahoma City drops to 18th in points allowed (105.0).
</p>
<h2>
Memphis at Oklahoma City Game Betting Trends<br />
</h2>
<p>
The Grizzlies are 5-1 ATS in their last six games against a team from the Northwest Division and they are 13-4 ATS in their last 17 conference games. The total has gone OVER in their last six road games.
</p>
<p>
The Thunder are 4-1-1 ATS in their last six home games and they have covered in six of their last seven games within the Western Conference. The total has stayed UNDER in their last four games following a SU win.
</p>
<p>
Head-to-head in this matchup, the home team is 8-1 ATS in the last nine meetings and the total has gone OVER in 18 of the last 26 meetings in Oklahoma City. Memphis won the first meeting this season 116-80 as a 1.5-point home favorite. The total stayed UNDER the 198-point closing line.
</p>