Thunder vs. Grizzlies: Predictions, picks, odds for Game 2 of NBA playoff series
The Western Conference No. 1-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder, who entered the postseason with a franchise record of 68 victories, will host the No. 8 seed Memphis Grizzlies in Game 2 of the first round of the 2025 NBA playoffs.
The Thunder are leading the series 1-0 after starting the playoffs with a lopsided 131-80 victory over the Grizzlies on Sunday night. It marked the fifth-largest margin of victory in postseason history. Every Thunder starter scored double-digit points, led by Aaron Wiggins, who came off the bench to score 21 points. MVP finalist Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had 15 points, well below his regular-season average of 32.7, but he only played 23 minutes due to the blowout.
Here are the current predictions, picks and odds for Game 2 of the NBA playoffs first-round matchup between the Thunder and Grizzlies.
Thunder vs. Grizzlies predictions: Game 2 picks for NBA playoffs first round
The Oklahoman: OKC, 4-1
Justin Martinez writes: "Memphis has a fast, dynamic offense that's led by Ja Morant. The Grizzlies rank second in the NBA in points per game (121.7), and they can inflict serious damage if they're allowed to run and attack the rim. But OKC has the defensive tools to slow Memphis down. The Thunder has numerous point-of-attack defenders such as Lu Dort, Alex Caruso, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Cason Wallace. And if the Grizzlies get past them, they'll run into rim protectors such as Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein. OKC's defense will shine, and Gilgeous-Alexander will light up the scoreboard against a Memphis team that won't have many answers for him. Thunder in five."
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: 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."
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 Tuesday, April 22):
- Series winner: Thunder (-2000), Grizzlies (+1000)
- Game 2 spread: Thunder (-14.5)
- Game 2 Moneyline: Thunder (-1200); Grizzlies (+700)
- Game 2 Over/Under: 228.5
Grizzlies vs. Thunder: NBA playoffs schedule, time, TV channel, live 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 | Results: OKC 131, MEM 80
- 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