

Broadcast Information

Tip-off: 7:00 p.m. CT

7:00 p.m. CT Television: Fox Sports Oklahoma

Fox Sports Oklahoma Radio: WWLS the Sports Animal and the Thunder Radio Network

Every year, NBA teams embark on their journey from October to April, and maybe beyond, and every day, every game the fans join them for the ride. There are ups and downs, times of smooth sailing and times where a team hits the wall. But the constant pursuit of excellence is what has made the Thunder special – that relentlessness is evident each time it steps on the floor.

It will be there tonight at Chesapeake Energy Arena against the Memphis Grizzlies, when the Thunder battles its Western Conference foe for the third time this season, hoping to take a 2-1 edge in the rubber match. In order to snap a three-game losing streak, including losses to the formidable Cleveland Cavaliers and San Antonio Spurs, the Thunder has to get back to its identity – tenacious defense and high-paced offense.

“We have to play at our pace,” guard Anthony Morrow said. “We have Russ pushing the ball up the floor, guys running the wings, Steven as one of the rim runners in the league. When we’re forcing our pace on teams, that’s when we’re at our best.”

Memphis has similar personnel to years past – Marc Gasol, Zach Randolph, Mike Conley and Tony Allen are still the veteran core – but the team is playing differently.

It’s not that the “grit and grind” Grizzlies are a thing of the past. This Memphis team still wants to hammer opponents in the paint and score efficiently around the rim. They merely use the three-point line as a vehicle to get inside, keeping opponents honest by stretching the floor. It’s not just Chandler Parsons and Troy Daniels launching from behind the arc, but also Marc Gasol, who has attempted more three-pointers this season than he had in all of his seasons combined.

“Overall they have the same game plan. They want to play in the paint but they have some guys who are knocking threes down,” Morrow said. “Zach and Marc are also extending the defense and making some shots.”

“You have to always be mindful of the three-point line, but we want to make sure we know what they want to do overall, which is play in the paint,” Morrow added.

The x’s and o’s are critical, and as Thunder players said after Wednesday’s loss to Chicago, all the pieces matter. The details of the game are where the Thunder can separate itself in a loaded Western Conference, but the only way to make those details matter is if the team plays with its hair on fire. No one embodies that personality more than Russell Westbrook, who says that in order for his team to be the aggressors and take the fight to Memphis, he has to lead the charge.

“We have to play harder than we did last time, I can tell you that much,” Westbrook blurted. “It’s going to be a physical game. They’re playing well on the road and we have to do a good job of coming in with a good mindset.”

“We just have to set the tone,” Westbrook concluded. “That starts with myself, setting the tone defensively and we’ll let the rest take care of itself.”