The Oklahoma City Thunder (43-15) have dropped three straight games since All-Star point guard Russell Westbrook has returned to action, and are hoping to snap that skid tonight against the Memphis Grizzlies (32-24). Live stream the game by clicking this link; Grizzlies fans can find the radio broadcast on 92.9 ESPN Memphis, while OKC fans can tune in to WWLS 98.1.
While Westbrook is always a lightning rod for criticism, he may not be the root of OKC's recent trouble. "No one in the locker room, including myself, feels good about it," coach Scott Brooks said of the losing streak. "The exciting thing is we know we can do better. We just have to maximize our potential.
"Defensively we're not getting after it enough. We just have to keep focusing on that end and it will turn back around for us."
Another problem is decreased production from role players. Despite a 28-point, 10-rebound, nine-assist performance from Kevin Durant, 24 points out of Westbrook and a Serge Ibaka double-double the Thunder fell to the Cavaliers, one of the NBA's lowliest teams.
"We just have to figure it out," Durant said. "We have to help everybody else out and figure out what we're doing wrong out there. ... We just have to focus on the next game."
The Thunder are a terrifying force offensively, but tonight's matchup could be problematic with them not clicking. Memphis gives up only 94.6 points per game, 10 points less than what the Thunder typically score.
"You know it's always going to be a good game," Grizzlies center Marc Gasol said. "Playing over there, you know the place is going to be packed, fans are going to get into it and it's going to feel like a playoff game. We enjoy that."
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