The Memphis Grizzlies (6-6) defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder (6-5) Monday 122-114 at the FedExForum in Memphis.
After what was a slow start to the season, the Grizzlies have now won three straight games, none bigger than this one against the Thunder. They used a high-scoring, 43-point fourth quarter to ultimately pull away.
Mike Conley was as great a floor leader as one could ask for, finishing with 22 points and nine assists in 31 minutes, but it was Conley’s backup that really stole the show. The newly-acquired Mario Chalmers came off the bench to score an incredibly efficient 29 points in just 23 minutes, and he did most of his damage at the charity stripe, where he shot 13-of-15 for the game. Zach Randolph played big on the block, managing a double-double of 12 points and 10 rebounds.
For the Thunder, they dropped their second consecutive game as Kevin Durant continues to nurse a hamstring injury. In his absence, Westbrook exploded for a game-high 40 points and 14 assists in 39 minutes, but it wasn’t nearly enough as OKC simply didn’t have an answer for the Grizzlies’ offensive attack. Serge Ibaka managed 18 points and nine rebounds in 35 minutes, while Enes Canter had 16 points and seven rebounds despite only playing 17 minutes off the bench.
Up next, the Grizzlies will stay home Friday to take on the Rockets, while the Thunder head home Wednesday to play the Pelicans.
