OKC Falls to Memphis in Overtime, 105-101

A familiar face returned to Oklahoma and torched the Thunder for 27 points.

Thursday, May 26th 2011, 12:11 pm

By: News On 6

OKC Falls to Memphis in Overtime, 105-101

Originally Published: Feb 8, 2011 10:22 PM CDT

Grant Belcher
Oklahoma Sports Staff Writer

OKLAHOMA CITY – A player with Oklahoma ties stole the show from the Oklahoma City players.

Memphis’ Tony Allen, a former OSU guard, filled in for an injured starter and led his team to a 105-101 victory on Tuesday.

Allen put up a season-high 27 points getting the start for Grizzlies forward Rudy Gay, who missed the game with a sprained right big toe.

Oklahoma City led by as many as 13 in the first half (10 points at halftime) but the Grizzlies were able to scratch all the way back into it and force overtime.

Russell Westbrook missed a long 3-pointer at the end of regulation and the two teams went into OT knotted at 95.

Memphis hit its free throws, however, and handed the Thunder its first overtime loss of the season – OKC is now 5-1 in games determined in an extra period.

The Thunder had their usual load of trouble with Memphis forward Zach Randolph. Randolph put up 31 points to lead the Grizzlies and grabbed 14 rebounds. He has averaged 27 points and 16 rebounds in three games against OKC this year.

Thanks in large part to Randolph, Memphis scored 54 of its 105 points in the paint.

Ironically, the Thunder won the rebounding battle by a significant 58-36 margin.

But the real key for Oklahoma City was turnovers – their 23 turnovers cost them big time as the Grizzlies scored more than 30 points off of them.

Kevin Durant led the Thunder with 31 points and grabbed his fifth-straight double-double with 10 rebounds.

Westbrook had 21 points, 11 assists and five rebounds, but had eight turnovers to go with it.

Forward Serge Ibaka, who was considered doubtful for the game because of a rib injury, ended up playing and grabbed 14 rebounds and three blocks.

Luckily for the Thunder, their upcoming path shouldn’t provide them with too much trouble in theory.

Oklahoma City plays four straight games against teams with sub-.500 records, starting with a road game against Sacramento at 9 p.m. on Saturday.