The Oklahoma City Thunder scored its first win since Russell Westbrook's return, outpacing the Grizzlies, 113-107, behind 21 points from Westbrook. Kevin Durant, the league's leading scorer, played his part, totaling 37 points, six rebounds and five assists.
Grizzlies vs. Thunder recap: Oklahoma City holds off Memphis, 113-107
The Grizzlies stormed back in the fourth quarter, but the Thunder fended them off.
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The Grizzlies were down by 19 points in the second half, but hit their first 11 shots in the fourth quarter to cut the lead to three points with two minutes remaining. They couldn’t get over the hump, however, as Durant scored six points in the final minute and a half.
Memphis had won five of its last six before losing to the Thunder. It was led by Mike Miller's 19 points. Marc Gasol contributed 17 and Zach Randolph added 13.
Oklahoma City dominated the first half. It held Memphis to just 15-of-40 (37.5 percent) from the field and forced the Grizzlies into eight turnovers. Randolph was noticeably frustrated, finishing the half 2-of-10 from the floor.
Westbrook’s fingerprints were all over the game through the first 24 minutes; he scored 15 points and sunk six shots from the foul line. He also recorded two boards, three assists and three steals. The Thunder went into the locker room at halftime up. 57-42.
Things didn’t get better for the Grizzlies in the third quarter as they trailed by double digits for the entire period, but that changed in the final quarter. They hit their first 11 shots in the quarter, eventually cutting the lead to four and then three with just over two minutes remaining.
The Grizzlies couldn’t, however, get the score any closer than that.
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