Oklahoma City Thunder vs Memphis Grizzlies Picks and Predictions for Friday, November 6, 2026

Memphis needs a change of scenery, but Friday's game is at home again. The Grizzlies have dropped two straight at FedExForum, while Oklahoma City has put together consecutive wins. Both teams sit at 6-2 heading into NBA Cup group play. The Thunder (2nd Northwest Division, 4th Western Conference) beat Cleveland 124-116 Wednesday; Memphis (3rd Southwest Division, 6th Western Conference) lost 107-103 to Indiana. Home hasn't been much of an advantage for the Grizzlies, who are 2-2 there. Oklahoma City is 2-2 on the road. Tipoff comes at 8:00 pm ET on KSBI. Here are our free NBA picks.

Oklahoma City Thunder Trying to Keep Rolling

Oklahoma City needed a response after losing badly to Houston and Dallas. The Rockets won 119-98, and the Mavericks followed with a 120-96 victory. Cleveland has since paid the price. The Thunder beat the Cavaliers 117-112 on Monday before taking Wednesday's rematch 124-116. Add a 125-114 win over Phoenix, and Oklahoma City has three victories in its last five games. Scoring remains a concern, though. The Thunder average 108.0 points while giving up 108.8, shooting 43.8% from the floor and just 32.0% beyond the arc.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leads the attack with 28.4 points and 4.1 assists per game. Ajay Mitchell has chipped in 17.0 points and 1.4 steals, giving Oklahoma City another scoring option. On the glass, Isaiah Hartenstein grabs 9.9 rebounds a night, while Aday Mara averages 1.7 blocks. The Thunder collect 46.6 rebounds and dish out 21.1 assists per game. Their 12.7 turnovers are another positive. Injuries have complicated things up front, particularly with Chet Holmgren unavailable, while Jalen Williams' absence removes another important player from the rotation.

Injuries: Jalen Williams, Nikola Topic, Thomas Sorber, Cason Wallace and Chet Holmgren are out.

Memphis Grizzlies Looking to Stop the Slide

Monday hurt. Memphis scored 134 points against New Orleans and still lost 135-134 in overtime. Two nights later, the Grizzlies couldn't get past Indiana, falling 107-103. Before those home defeats, Memphis had beaten Sacramento 136-105, Portland 124-103 on the road and Utah 110-105 away. That's three wins in five, but the last two results sting. Memphis averages 123.0 points and gives up 109.8. It also grabs 49.7 rebounds, a number that should matter against Oklahoma City's depleted frontcourt.

Ty Jerome is putting up 28.2 points and 5.7 assists per game. Cameron Boozer contributes 17.4 points, 10.3 rebounds and 5.6 assists; Cedric Coward averages 12.8 points and 8.7 boards. Memphis shoots 47.6% overall and a sharp 42.1% from deep, making 16.3 threes a night. The passing is there, too, at 27.4 assists per game. Zach Edey supplies 1.5 blocks. The Grizzlies can score in bunches. Their last two finishes have been the problem.

Injuries: Scotty Pippen Jr. is out. Isaiah Stewart is a game-time decision.

Key To The Game

Watch the perimeter first. Memphis hits 42.1% of its threes; Oklahoma City makes 32.0%. The Grizzlies also lead the rebounding averages, 49.7 to 46.6. Yet OKC protects the ball, committing just 12.7 turnovers per game. Jerome needs touches without letting those possessions become giveaways. Memphis has the shooting edge; the Thunder have been tidier with the ball.

Oklahoma City Thunder vs Memphis Grizzlies Game Pick

• Oklahoma City Thunder

The numbers favor Memphis in several places. The Grizzlies score 123.0 points to Oklahoma City's 108.0, and Jerome's 28.2 nearly matches Gilgeous-Alexander's 28.4. But Memphis just lost twice at home, including that painful overtime finish against New Orleans. OKC responded to losses against Houston and Dallas by beating Cleveland twice, 117-112 and 124-116. Hartenstein's 9.9 rebounds will be important with Holmgren sidelined, particularly against Memphis on the glass. The Thunder have handled their last two games better down the stretch. I'll take Oklahoma City to win and cover Friday night.

Oklahoma City Thunder vs Memphis Grizzlies Over/Under Pick

• Over

Memphis plays with plenty of scoring options. The Grizzlies average 123.0 points, hit 16.3 threes per game and shoot 42.1% beyond the arc. They put up 136 against Sacramento and 134 against New Orleans before Indiana held them to 103. Oklahoma City isn't a big-scoring team across the season, averaging 108.0 while allowing 108.8, but its offense just produced 117 and 124 against Cleveland. Jerome gets 28.2 points, with Boozer and Coward helping carry the load. The perimeter numbers suggest Memphis can push the score. I'll take the over on Friday.