The Grizzlies and Thunder face off in Game 5 tonight in Oklahoma City. Tip-off is 8:30 p.m. Broadcast is TNT. Five questions whose answers could be key to the outcome:
1. Is the tank empty?: This is setting up as a letdown game for the Grizzlies — coming off a grueling triple-overtime home loss in which Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol played a combined 113 minutes to play on the road against an opponent and fan base sensing a chance to take control of the series.
Then again, the last time we — okay, I — thought the Grizzlies were set up for a tough game — in Game 1 against OKC — they responded with their most convincing buzzer-to-buzzer win of the post-season.
2. Can the Grizzlies counter the Thunder’s small-ball lineup?: Oklahoma City’s small lineups were a problem for the Grizzlies in Game 4. Kevin Durant’s length helped him be effective fronting the post on Zach Randolph and kept the Grizzlies from taking advantage of a potential mismatch. On the other end, the Grizzlies found themselves trying to find somewhere to hide one of their bigs (Zach Randolph on Daequan Cook?) and didn’t seem comfortable defensively. OKC is sure to go small again, the thought here is that the Grizzlies should try to stay big and make them pay for it, which may mean being more aggressive and creative about getting Randolph the ball inside.
3. Can Darrell Arthur be a difference maker?: One thing that could help the Grizzlies counter the Thunder’s small ball while still staying “big” is getting good minutes from Darrell Arthur, something that hasn’t happened in series outside of a short stretch in Game 2.
