Thunder look like new West favorites

— -- OKLAHOMA CITY -- After a few middling weeks that made them susceptible and clearly shook their confidence, the Oklahoma City Thunder sounded a statement in their roaring two victories to finish the Memphis Grizzlies.

The Western Conference playoffs have provided a wonderful first round of parity and drama that's filled these past two weeks with endless enjoyment. But all that had not yielded a favorite. This is not the case any longer after the Thunder blasted the Grizzlies in both Game 6 and in Game 7, which they took 120-109 Saturday night.

The Grizzlies were despondent Zach Randolph had been suspended for the game and were further dealt a bad hand with a hamstring injury to Michael Conley and an eye issue affecting Tony Allen. In truth, though, it probably wouldn't have mattered if Memphis been at full strength. This version of the Thunder team is the championship contender.