Thunder Drops Second Straight Game

Oklahoma City shoots well but falls to Memphis, 110-105.

Thursday, May 26th 2011, 12:07 pm

By: News On 6

Originally Published: Jan 4, 2011 9:50 PM CDT

Grant Belcher
Oklahoma Sports Staff Writer

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The Memphis Grizzlies might not have all the elements of an elite team, but they do have something Oklahoma City doesn’t.

The Grizzlies used a strong post presence to outrebound and outscore the Thunder in the paint in a 110-105 victory Tuesday in Memphis.

The Thunder dropped back-to-back games for the second time this season, the other coming Oct. 31 and Nov. 3 of 2010.

Memphis’ frontcourt had a big game against OKC, with forward Zach Randolph posting 31 points and 16 rebounds. Center Marc Gasol added a double-double of his own with 10 and 10 to help the Grizzlies outrebound the Thunder 42-31.

The game was close throughout, with Memphis leading by four after the first quarter and Oklahoma City coming back to tie it up at halftime.

The Thunder took a brief lead as Kevin Durant drained a 3 with eight minutes to go in the third. But Memphis bounced back with a quick 8-0 run to regain it.

OKC led once more as a 3-pointer from guard Russell Westbrook put his team up 89-87 with eight minutes left in the game.

But the Thunder could not stop the Grizzlies and former OSU guard Tony Allen down the stretch. Allen had 10 points in the fourth to help his team hold off the Thunder.

OKC lost despite hot shooting the entire game. The Thunder shot 51 percent from the field, 39 percent from downtown and 88 percent from the line.

Durant and Westbrook had 28 points each in the game.

One bright spot for Oklahoma City is the continued emergence of guard James Harden. Harden was taken third overall in the 2009 draft but caught some criticism for underperforming, especially to start his sophomore campaign.

He seems to have turned the corner, however, as Harden has scored in double digits the past 12 games.

OKC continues a tough stretch with a trip to Dallas followed by a quick turnaround against the Grizzlies again in Oklahoma City.

Tipoff for the upcoming game against the Mavericks is set for 7 p.m. on Thursday in Dallas.