Game Preview: Oklahoma City Thunder at Memphis Grizzlies (3/16/2024)

When: 7:00 PM CST, Saturday, March 16th, 2024

Where: FedEx Forum, Memphis, TN

How To Watch/Stream: BallySports Southeast

For the second time in a week, the Memphis Grizzlies will face the Oklahoma City Thunder. It will be another game for Memphis… Another game between two teams who’s playoffs this year couldn’t be more drastic.

The Grizzlies are at the bottom of the barrel. The Thunder? The young, beloved upstarts are sitting in the second seed as of now.

Huh… Young, beloved upstarts? Sitting in the second seed?

Sound familiar at all?

Look all I’ll say is it’s getting a bit… Let’s say tired… A bit tired, having to watch all these joyous walk-off interviews with OKC. When Memphis was getting flack for doing the exact same thing the past 1-2 years…

But I digress.

Tonight’s game isn’t about walk-off interviews. It’s not about a team’s age or how much fun it looks like they’re having. It’s about basketball. And there will be plenty of that played tonight.

As well as plenty to look forward to on the Grizzlies side if you’d believe it or not.

John and Jake, Solidifying On the Fringes

Two names that folks seemed to have grown tired of at season’s beginning were Jake LaRavia. And John Konchar. And it seems that the mileage on both will vary depending on who you ask.

Because there has been plenty said about the two… About their particular skillset or lack thereof… About the various trades the duo could or could not fit in packages with… About both’s futures on this team.

Well… Now in the shadow of this new roster each is making a firm case for inclusion. As they’ve seen their minutes grow—or in some case shrink—and as they’re even playing out of sorts on occasion…

Both Jake and Jitty are actually hooping.

Let’s start with Jake ‘The Snake’. As of now, he remains one of two rookies left on the roster from his draft class. And the more expendable one at that. Vince Williams Jr. for his part has made himself indispensable.

For whatever reason—injury, talent—others have seen themselves rise in the rotation. But now? Given the injuries to the roster LaRavia has seen a significant increase in playing time.

The odd part? He’s actually delivered.

Since March—which is when he’s settled into this new role of sorts—Jake’s per game numbers… Well they’re pretty damn good. He’s averaging 13.5 PTS, 5 REB, 1.6 AST, and 1.6 STL in 25.6 minutes per game.

One could argue it’s the best stretch of basketball we’ve seen out of Jake from Wake. Who thought all it would take was consistency and health right? It will no doubt go a long way towards helping him solidify a spot on the backend of this rotation.

Ditto ‘Jitty’. Although it may be a less strong argument. And still…

🎯 JITTY 🎯@konchjitty55's triple cuts Charlotte's lead down to five! pic.twitter.com/jBroSf3C86

— Bally Sports: Grizzlies (@GrizzOnBally) March 14, 2024

John Konchar remains the jack-of-all-trades, master-of-none end of bench guy Coach Jenkins adores. And yet? He’s somehow still finding ways to elevate his game.

Since the All-Star break? ‘The Magic Konch’ has been doing it all for the Grizzlies. In 27.6 minutes per game, his per game averages are as follows… 7.9 PTS, 6.3 REB, 2.7 AST, 1.1 STL, and 1.1 BLK on 43.8/45.0/100.0%.

Not sure what more you could want from the guy. Either guy. They’re each playing out of position and way up the rotation. If this is what they’re able to deliver now? Each is proving that they’re a guy Memphis should consider before letting go… As they may wind up a key piece on the fringes of this rotation next season.

Luke, Succeeding Out of Sorts

Speaking of guys playing out of position… Have you met Luke Kennard?

I kid. But in all seriousness the king of playing out of position this year may have to be ‘Nardo’. At least on this Grizzlies team. Gone are the days of him being a shooter, and a shooter alone.

Considering there have been night’s when—due to injury—Kennard’s forced to be the adult in the room? Well he’s had not choice. He’s had to rebound more. And he’s had more dimes to deliver.

The thing is… He’s not doing too shabby. And that’s while still maintaining his elite shooting level.

Since the All-Star Break here’s what Luke’s been doing… In 26.1 minutes per game he’s pouring in 12.0 PTS, 2.5 REB, and 3.6 AST. Oh yeah. That’s on 48.4/45.7/100.0% splits to boot.

hand down. you kno the lingo @LukeKennard5 pic.twitter.com/2nhFFBoxHU

— Memphis Grizzlies (@memgrizz) March 14, 2024

‘Nardo’ is flirting with being a fifty-forty-ninety guy since the All-Star Break. And again… That’s while playing far outside his role.

Now I’ve been guilty of nit picking Kennard—I’ll be the first to admit it. Which I should stop doing I guess. At the level he’s maintaining his advanced shooting, while also contributing elsewhere?

It’s time for Memphis to extend him. Barring any tragic flameout the last month of the season, look for Luke to keep showing them why.

Des, Arriving In the Future

Well, well, well. You stinky little boogers Memphis, I see you. In classic Grizzlies fashion the team made an injury announcement…

You know what kind I mean? When the team will have a player upgraded to questionable? On a random-seeming game? When they’ve missed significant time but are ready to ramp up?

Because that’s the exact thing happening with Desmond Bane leading up to tonight.

.@memgrizz status report, March 16 vs. @okcthunder: pic.twitter.com/RyxhiJeLSZ

— Grizzlies PR (@GrizzliesPR) March 15, 2024

Now does that mean we see Des suit up against the Thunder tonight? There’s a chance. But the Grizzlies wouldn’t surprise me if he 100% appeared in Monday’s game. You know?

Give him a game to ramp up before going lights out against the Warriors Wednesday? I’m not saying that will happen. Not at all. But it might. And either way? I’d keep an eye on Bane’s status throughout the day.

I for one can’t wait to see my guy back.

Photo Credit: (Kyle Phillips/AP Photo)