Memphis has officially made the playoffs, and it feels so good. The season with a million highs and lows, culminated with gravity-defying dunks by Ja Morant, has indeed paid off in achieving the 8th seed of the Western Conference. Guess who’s first in the playoff battles? The Oklahoma City Thunder. Truly spicy.
This match just became a must-watch for the ages. The Grizzlies have an underdog mentality mixed with the flashy style of young guns – Ja, Jaren Jackson Jr., and crew are playing with something to prove. But whereas OKC was under the radar earlier in the season, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has been putting up 30-point games like it’s nobody’s business. Two high-octane teams, one first-round series; let it ride.
So let me walk you through how this happened. The Memphis team was actually dragged through the Play-in; it is not that easy in the West. Clearly, they showed up when it mattered. So yes, “Grit and Grind”, not just a nostalgic slogan: it is in their very blood. Even without the shout-out to a big Kiwi, Steven Adams, they have held it down with a defense, hustle, and just enough chaos to keep things interesting.
As far as OKC goes? This has been a surprise package of the season. Nobody really expected them at that level this season, but here we are: SGA, the MVP candidate, Chet Holmgren blocking and snowballing his way through, while the role players made sure they did not miss their share of two points. This is not your brother’s Thunder; they are fashionable and cool, swift, smart, and entertaining.
So what does that predict? Straight toss a coin. It’s Memphis, with all the experience, against the X-factor wipeout of OKC. Ja’s gonna Ja, but SGA might just trump him. The X-factor? Points from the bench. If Luke Kennard or Isaiah Joe gets heated from three, that’s the whole series swayed.
Definitely half-money time, a gentleman’s sweep is out of consideration. Six or seven games, guaranteed pure and unrehearsed drama. And if you aren’t getting yourself hyped for that, which is super suspicious, better get that pulse checked.
No tweets as yet on that tweet but you *know* the conversation is coming. Grizz fans are flooding timelines with “WE BELIEVE” memes while OKC’ers are giving it back with “Trust the Presti-lujah.” It’s about to skew into a war zone on social media, and, honestly? We’re here for it.
Game 1 can’t come soon enough. Pop that popcorn, clear that schedule, and pray your internet holds up. This really is going to be nothing short of legendary. Or at least, meme-worthy. Win-win.
