PREVIEW: The Oklahoma City Thunder (31-7) visit the Memphis Grizzlies (16-21) at FedExForum on Friday night , with the visitors arriving as dominant favorites in what should be a revealing matchup between contrasting trajectories. The Thunder have won five of their last seven games overall and will look to stay hot after taking down the Jazz in a thrilling 129-125 overtime win on Wednesday , while the Grizzlies have been struggling, having lost five of their last six games and getting scorched by the Suns in a 117-98 loss on Wednesday. Oklahoma City's elite defensive identity shows up perfectly in their ShotQuality rankings, where they rank first in allowing few shots attacking the rim and in forcing turnovers , creating a suffocating foundation for their league-leading defense. Memphis counters with a high frequency of post-up attempts and quick tempo, ranking second in post-ups and fourth in pace , though their defensive weaknesses could prove problematic against one of the league's most dynamic offenses. The Thunder rank as the NBA's second-highest scoring offense at 121.4 points per game, while Oklahoma City also maintains the league's top-ranked defense at 108.1 points allowed , giving them a significant advantage in nearly every statistical category. The Grizzlies' defensive profile reveals a vulnerability on the perimeter, as they allow the 25th-ranked frequency of three-point attempts at a 44.1 percent rate , an area where the Thunder can capitalize with their efficient outside shooting. Interestingly, the Thunder have failed to cover the spread in five of their last six games as road favorites against Southwest Division opponents , suggesting Memphis might find some opportunities despite their recent struggles. Both teams arrive with key players sidelined, but the Thunder have won each of their last 26 night games against Western Conference opponents with losing records, while the Grizzlies have lost each of their last 11 night games against Thunder teams with winning records.