Thunder vs. Grizzlies predictions, picks odds for 2025 NBA playoff series
The 2025 NBA playoffs first round, a best-of-seven series, is here. In the Western Conference, the No. 1 seeded Oklahoma City Thunder, which signifies their top performer in the regular season, will face the No. 8 seed Memphis Grizzlies, who secured the final playoff spot in the conference.
The Oklahoma City Thunder, with the youngest roster in the NBA, heads into the playoffs with a healthy lineup for the most part. Led by MVP front-runner Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, they are aiming for the franchise's first title. After securing the top seed for the second year in a row, they are striving for a better outcome following a second round playoff exit at the hands of the Dallas Mavericks.
The Grizzlies' journey to the playoffs was not an easy one. They faced the Golden State Warriors in the NBA Play-In Tournament, losing the opening game 121-116. However, they bounced back and defeated the Dallas Mavericks 120-106, securing the No. 8 seed and finalizing the Western Conference bracket.
Here are the latest predictions, picks and odds for the first round matchup between the Thunder and Grizzlies.
Grizzlies vs. Thunder: NBA playoffs picks and predictions
Paste BN: Experts pick the Thunder
Here are Paste BN staff picks for the Grizzlies vs. Thunder series:
- Lorenzo Reyes: Thunder in 5
- Heather Tucker: Thunder in 5
- James Williams: Thunder in 5
- Jeff Zillgitt: Thunder in 5
NBA.com: Thunder in four
John Schuhmann writes: "OKC won 68 games this season and is poised to not only win four more, but four straight. This series seems lopsided in the Thunder’s favor, for so many obvious reasons — highly-rated both offensively and defensively, size and depth, and the mastery of Shai. Memphis hasn’t been a threat since late January, losing nine of 14 down the stretch. The Grizzlies bring three capable scorers in Ja, Jackson and Bane, and Edey’s tough on the glass. That still might not be enough to win a game, let alone an entire series against a team that never lost more than two straight all season. Expect big nights from Shai and some lockdown D from Dort."
Sports Illustrated: Thunder in five
Peter Dewey writes: "The Thunder dominated this matchup during the regular season for a reason – Memphis’ half-court offense is too shaky to rely on. Alex Caruso, Lu Dort, Cason Wallace and others can all be thrown at Morant to slow him down, and OKC has by far the best player in this series in SGA. All season long, the Thunder have dominated at home, and they also have been far and away the best defensive rated team in the league."
Grizzlies vs. Thunder: NBA playoffs odds
The Thunder are favored to defeat the Grizzles in the NBA playoffs first round, per BetMGM odds (as of Saturday, April 19):
- Series winner: Thunder (-2000), Grizzlies (+1000)
- Game 1 spread: Thunder (-13.5)
- Game 1 Moneyline: Thunder (-1000); Grizzlies (+600)
- Game 1 Over/Under: 227.5
Grizzlies vs. Thunder: NBA playoffs schedule, how to watch, time, TV channel, streaming
The first-round NBA playoff series between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Memphis Grizzlies will begin Sunday, April 20 and could go until Saturday, May 3.
ABC, ESPN, and TNT will each carry at least one game of the series, while details for games five through seven (should they be necessary) have yet to be announced. Cord-cutting fans can stream the action on Sling for games on TNT and Fubo for those on ABC. Fubo is offering a free trial for new subscribers.
All times Eastern.
- Game 1: Grizzlies at Thunder | Sunday, April 20 | 1 p.m | ABC, Sling TV
- Game 2: Grizzlies at Thunder | Tuesday, April 22 | 7:30 p.m | TNT, Sling TV
- Game 3: Thunder at Grizzlies | Thursday, April 24 | 9:30 p.m. | TNT, Fubo
- Game 4: Thunder at Grizzlies | Saturday, April 26 | 3:30 p.m. | TNT, Sling TV
- Game 5: Grizzlies at Thunder | Monday, April 28 | time/broadcast TBD*
- Game 6: Thunder at Grizzlies | Thursday, May 1 | time/broadcast TBD*
- Game 7: Grizzlies at Thunder | Saturday, May 3 | time/broadcast TBD*
Watch Grizzlies vs. Thunder Game 1 on Sling TV