NBA Wire Roundtable: Who will win Grizzlies-Thunder Round 1 playoff series?
NBA Wire Roundtable: Who will win Grizzlies-Thunder Round 1 playoff series?
After a week's wait, the Oklahoma City Thunder finally learned who their Round 1 opponent will be. The Memphis Grizzlies survived the play-in tournament and clinched the eighth seed for the 2025 NBA playoffs.
The Thunder will enter the first-round series as a heavy favorite. It would take one of the biggest upsets in NBA history for the Grizzlies to pull off the win. The first seed enters fully healthy and well-rested after a week off between games.
To preview the Round 1 matchup, Thunder Wire conducted an NBA Wire Roundtable to predict the winner. Here's who our panel of writers thinks will advance between the Thunder and Grizzlies:
Clemente Almanza, Thunder Wire: While the Grizzlies might be better than your average eighth seed as they let go of the rope in the final couple of weeks in the regular season, the Thunder are better than most first seeds in NBA history. The Thunder have had the Grizzlies' number for multiple seasons now. They've won nine in a row against the franchise. The Grizzlies might get a game. But just because it's nearly impossible to beat the same team eight times in a row within the same season. Make no mistake about it, the Thunder are the clear-cut better squad.
Prediction: Thunder in 4
Sharif Phillips-Keaton, Nets Wire: The Grizzlies pulled off one of the more dominant performances that they've had in some time as their big 3 stepped up against the Dallas Mavericks. However, 1 vs. 8 seeds are normally lopsided for a reason, and the Thunder appear to be the best team in the league with how elite they are of both ends of the floor. Jaren Jackson Jr. may (and should) win Defensive Player of the Year, but his defense will be tested against Shai Gilgeous-Alexander when it comes to protecting the rim. Memphis is down its head coach along with impressive rookie Jaylen Wells so this series could be over fast.
Prediction: Thunder in 5
Justin Quinn, Celtics Wire: This series will help us put a lot of questions about both teams into better focus. Just how damaging will it be to move on from a longstanding head coach right before the playoffs for the Grizzlies -- and how much did their issues on the court and in the locker room get solved by the decisions made by the front office? How good is this historic regular season team in the Thunder in a playoff setting, and how much can one of the league's better defenses slow down the engine that drives OKC in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander? While no one is likely taking Memphis in this series, it still may tell us much about both teams' near-term futures.
Prediction: Thunder in 5
Adam Taylor, Contributor: The Oklahoma City Thunder are 9-1 against the Memphis Grizzlies over their last 10 games. Mark Daigneault's team has been on a historic pace this season and looks to be good value for their billing as championship contenders. While the Memphis Grizzlies performed well to book their spot in the playoffs, the tumultuous nature of their roster is a distraction they could do without. The Grizzlies will come to play and have the talent to pose some legitimate questions for the Thunder on both sides of the floor. Nevertheless, Oklahoma is the better, deeper, and more talented team, and that should win out sooner rather than later.
Prediction: Thunder in 5
Ky Carlin, Sixers Wire: The Thunder have been fantastic all season. By far the best team in the league and they owned the Grizzlies in their matchups during the season series. Memphis has some good pieces such as Ja Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr., and Desmond Bane, as well as a strong supporting cast, but it has an interim coach and is in disarray. OKC has the best defense in the league, the should-be MVP of the league, and incredible depth. The Thunder should win this easily.
Prediction: Thunder in 5
Robert Marvi, LeBron Wire: Of the teams the Thunder could've faced in the first round, this is the worst matchup for them, outside of the Golden State Warriors. Memphis was second in scoring during the regular season and is one of the NBA's best running teams, and they have the personnel to test the Thunder's defense. The Thunder cannot take Memphis lightly just because Memphis stumbled in the closing weeks of the regular season. Oklahoma City will definitely win this series, but I see Memphis taking one, maybe even two games before bowing out, and perhaps Memphis could expose one or two cracks in the Thunder's armor.
Prediction: Thunder in 5
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