Short-handed Thunder face Grizzlies' fourth-ranked offense in Memphis

The Oklahoma City Thunder (6-2) visit the Memphis Grizzlies (6-2) on Friday night missing six players, and they face the league's fourth-best offense, which scores 116.6 points per 100 possessions.

Memphis shoots an effective 56%, also fourth in the league. Oklahoma City allows 108.2 points per 100 possessions, ninth.

The other end leans toward Memphis as well. Oklahoma City ranks 19th in offensive rating and 26th in true shooting, and it faces a Grizzlies defense that ranks sixth and holds opponents to the sixth-lowest effective shooting mark.

The Thunder do protect the ball. Their turnover rate of 10.8% is the lowest in the league, which keeps a thin offense from giving Memphis easy runs the other way.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander carries that offense with 30.1 points a game. Isaiah Hartenstein adds 10.1 rebounds, 3.4 of them on the offensive glass, the second chances a short rotation needs.

Ty Jerome leads Memphis with 27.4 points on 50.4% shooting. Cam Spencer hands out 5.8 assists in 19.7 minutes a night.

Oklahoma City's absences run deep. Chet Holmgren, who blocks three shots a game, is out and expected back Saturday, January 2. Jalen Williams, who plays 31.3 minutes, and Cason Wallace, the team's steals leader at 2.3, are out until Tuesday, March 2. Thomas Sorber, Jaylin Williams and Nikola Topic are also out.

Memphis is without Scotty Pippen Jr. and Isaiah Stewart.

Oklahoma City lost 119-98 at Houston and 120-96 at Dallas before beating Cleveland twice. The Grizzlies have dropped their last two at home, 135-134 to New Orleans and 107-103 to Indiana.

Tip-off is at 8 p.m. ET in Memphis. Sportsbooks' prices give Oklahoma City a 58% chance to win; the Keel projection, built on the players available, gives Memphis 64% and a 4.5-point edge.