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Joe Smith is trying to catch a quick glimpse of the OU-OSU Score.
The people of the state of Oklahoma face a tough decision tonight. Either they:
A) Watch the University of Oklahoma try for a Big XII Championship, and indeed, a National Championship bid vs. Oklahoma State, who is trying to complete one of the best seasons in school history.
or
B) Watch the worst team in the NBA, the Oklahoma City Thunder, try to avoid having the worst losing streak in franchise history and continuing one of the 5 worst starts in NBA history.
Okay, I know that 99.9% of Oklahomans will watch the football game and look at the basketball score later, but I'll preview this game anyway.
The Grizzlies are actually within our grasp record-wise. The main difference between them and us is that while we have a bunch of useless big men and a total lack of a PG, they're developing Mike Conley, Marc Gasol, and Darrell Arthur. On top of that, they have O.J. Mayo and Rudy Gay to counter Durant and Green. The only way I could see us winning this one is if guys like Earl Watson, Chris Wilcox, and Joe Smith step up to the plate.
But, I still don't see the pendulum swinging in our favor. Given our history of not coming back after close losses (Think: Suns then Cavaliers), I think iths one will get out of our hands towards the last few minutes of the 4th, and our guys won't have the will to go on. We still have not won under the Brooks regime. Who said that was a good coaching change, again?
Matchups:
C: Nick Collison vs. Marc Gasol
Winner: Marc Gasol
They're about even now, but given that Marc Gasol is only getting better and that Nick Collison has had a bad season, I'll give it to Marc.
PF: Kevin Durant vs. Darrell Arthur
Winner: Kevin Durant
I'll give it to Durant just because of the overall talent level of the two guys. Arthur might beat him in the post, but Durant is easily better overall.
SF: Jeff Green vs. Rudy Gay
Winner: Jeff Green
I've always thought of Rudy as more of a SG, and I think Jeff Green can easily overpower him down low. Even though Gay is a better shooter, I think Green is a better overall defender, so he gets the edge.
SG: Damien Wilkins vs. O.J. Mayo
Winner: O.J. Mayo
I love you Damien, but unless you've got a monster night, Orange Juice Mayo beats you hands down.
PG: Earl Watson (Really Russell Westbrook) vs. Mike Conley
Winner: Mike Conley
If Russell started, this decision would be harder. But, since it's Earl Watson, Mike Conley gets the easy edge. And, even if Russell was starting, I'd still give it ot Conley, because he runs a more efficent offense.
Battle of the Benches:
Winner: Thunder
Put simply, we've just got more guys. When you compare our backups side by side they're about equal, but we've got more of those "equal" guys.
Coaching and Intangibles:
Winner: Grizzlies
We're both on the back end of a back-to-back, but the Thunder played a much more tiring game. And even though that the FedEx Forum might as well be named the FedEx Library because it's so quiet and empty, nobody will be watching on the Thunders side, either. Lastly, the Grizzlies have more wins and confidence under their belt, while the thunder just came off of a depressing loss. So, the edge goes to the Grizzlies.
Player to Watch: Chris Wilcox
He's had two monster nights as of late, and he'll have another monster night tonight. If he comes into his own, you can mark it in the victory column. If he doesn't, then you shouldn't.
Prediction: Grizzlies 108, Thunder 98
Go Sooners! (Oh yeah, and Go Thunder too.)
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