The Thunder Begin Their Playoff Run By Kicking The Absolute Shit Out Of The Grizzlies With An Incredible 51 Point Ass Whooping

Joe Murphy. Getty Images.

The Oklahoma City Thunder just completed what was statistically the greatest regular season in NBA history. They checked off every box, passed every test, and every single metric points to them winning the title. Still, there's still some doubt about them heading into this postseason, not because of anything in terms of their win profile or ability to contend, but more because until you do it, people will always question or doubt if you can.

NBA history says you need battle scars, then again, tell that to the 2014-15 Warriors. Given the fact that SGA is most likely going to win the MVP, you combine that with their historic regular season and all eyes were certainly going to be on the Thunder and how they looked now that the real season has begun.

The answer?

One of the biggest ass whoopings in NBA history.

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A 51 point beatdown that honestly could have been higher if the Thunder kept their foot on the gas. Even their 3rd and 4th stringers were able to keep the score between 50-56, which just goes to show just how insane their collective depth is. SGA didn't even play that well, finishing 4-12 (1-7) and did it even come close to being an issue? Not when you have this type of team around him

While you never overreact to Game 1s, let's not pretend like what we just watched wasn't completely insane. The Thunder's opening statement was essentially exactly how they've crushed teams all year. Their defense suffocated the Grizzlies the second Ja Morant went to the bench, and once the Thunder turn you over, you're dead. They become so suffocating that you can't even process what's happening. Everything at the rim is contested, there are no passing lanes, they're able to play physical on the perimeter, and everyone on the floor has a relentless motor that eventually is going to force you into doing something stupid. 

It's also true that the Grizzlies were in a tough spot on short rest, but this is no different than any of the other matchups between these two teams. It's a terrible matchup for them. If they're also going to get nothing from JJJ and Bane and need to rely on Ja for everything, they're going to lose by 40 every single night. To compete with OKC, you have to be perfect. To lay a collective egg like the Grizzlies did in  all facets of this game, well this is what happens. 

You don't fall into 68 wins by accident. You don't have the highest point differential in NBA history by mistake. As crazy as it sounds, OKC can look even better than they did tonight. It's hard to make a better opening statement than what we just witnessed, and who knows, maybe the Grizzlies bounce back and shock the world by winning Game 2. I don't see how that's going to be possible, but all they needed on this trip was a split, which is technically still possible.

At the same time, this does feel like a formality type of series. After what we saw today, OKC shouldn't drop a single game in this series. Hell, they shouldn't win by fewer than 20 in any of them. What an ass kicking.