Oklahoma City Thunder vs Memphis Grizzlies Picks and Prediction for Friday November 6 2026
Oklahoma City heads to Memphis on Friday night for an 8 PM ET game against the Grizzlies at FedExForum. Both teams have been playing good basketball, but they’re coming into this matchup in different situations. The Thunder just beat Cleveland for the second time in three days, while Memphis lost a close one to Indiana on Wednesday. Oklahoma City has been playing better defensively, and that’s where I think this game gets interesting. Memphis can score, but the Thunder have been making opponents work for their points. Get in on all the NBA action with our free NBA picks.
Oklahoma City Thunder Have Been Winning Tough Games
Oklahoma City is 6-2 after beating Cleveland 124-116 on Wednesday. The Thunder also beat the Cavaliers 117-112 on Monday, so they’ve picked up consecutive victories against a pretty good Cleveland team. That’s encouraging after losing 119-98 to Houston on Saturday. Oklahoma City responded to that loss exactly the way you’d want a good team to respond.
The Thunder are averaging 110 points while allowing 108.8 per game. Those numbers aren’t particularly spectacular, but Oklahoma City has been doing enough to win close games. The Thunder have been playing good defense, and they don’t need to score 130 every night to get the job done. Against Memphis, that’s going to be important because the Grizzlies have been one of the highest-scoring teams in basketball.
What I like about Oklahoma City is its ability to make opponents uncomfortable defensively. The Thunder can pressure the ball, force difficult shots, and turn mistakes into scoring opportunities. Memphis has been scoring plenty, but Oklahoma City isn’t going to give the Grizzlies the same easy looks they’ve been getting against weaker defenses.
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Memphis Grizzlies Need to Get Back on Track
Memphis is 6-2 after losing 107-103 to Indiana on Wednesday. That’s a disappointing result, especially at home against a Pacers team that had been struggling. The Grizzlies also lost 135-134 to New Orleans on Monday, so they’ve dropped two straight after starting the season 6-0. That’s not the direction you want to be heading when Oklahoma City comes to town.
The Grizzlies are averaging 120.5 points per game while allowing 109.8. That’s a pretty good combination, and it explains why Memphis got off to such a strong start. But the last two games have shown some problems. Memphis gave up 135 to New Orleans, then struggled offensively against Indiana. That’s a pretty big swing in two games.
The Grizzlies have enough scoring ability to make this difficult for Oklahoma City, especially at home. Memphis has been one of the better offensive teams in the league, and the Thunder can’t afford to get careless. But the Grizzlies need to do a better job taking care of the basketball and making good decisions late. Those mistakes have been costing them games.
Oklahoma City Thunder vs Memphis Grizzlies Picks and Prediction
Moneyline Pick: Oklahoma City Thunder
I’m taking Oklahoma City. Memphis has been excellent offensively, and the Grizzlies are certainly capable of winning this game at home. But they’ve lost two straight, including that disappointing 107-103 defeat against Indiana. Oklahoma City, meanwhile, just beat Cleveland twice in three days. I trust the Thunder’s defense more, and I think that makes the difference in a close game. Memphis should get its points, but Oklahoma City has been doing a better job finishing games. Give me the Thunder.
Total Pick: Under 229.5 Points
Give me the under 229.5 if that’s the line. Memphis has been scoring more than 120 per game, so I know that makes the under look a little uncomfortable. But Oklahoma City has been allowing fewer than 109, and the Thunder aren’t playing at an especially high scoring average themselves. Memphis just scored 103 against Indiana, and I think Oklahoma City can make the Grizzlies work for their shots. The concern is both teams getting hot from three and turning this into a high-scoring game. But I’m expecting something closer to 114-109, and that stays under.
Final Picks: Oklahoma City Thunder Moneyline | Under 229.5 Points (if available)
Disclaimer: This preview was completed on November 5, 2026. Betting lines, injuries, and starting lineups may change before tipoff.
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