Westbrook's 25th triple-double of season leads Thunder over Grizzlies
OKLAHOMA CITY -- Russell Westbrook tallied his 25th triple-double of the season to lead the Oklahoma City Thunder to 114-102 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday night at the Chesapeake Energy Arena.
Westbrook racked up 38 points, 12 assists and 13 rebounds. That included scoring the final 15 points of the game for Oklahoma City.
Steven Adams posted 16 points and grabbed 13 rebounds for the Thunder. Joffrey Lauvergne came off the bench to score 16 points as the Oklahoma City improved to 29-22 and break a three-game losing streak.
Marc Gasol led the Grizzlies with 31 points and eight assists. Mike Conley added 18 points on 7 of 16 shooting as Memphis falls to 30-22.
With 4:20 left in the fourth, Lauvergne drained a 3-pointer to cut Grizzlies lead down to 98-96. But Gasol came back with an off balance shot to put Memphis up by four.
Anthony Morrow buried a 3-pointer and cut deficit to 100-99. After a Conley missed shot, Lauvergne got the rebound. But Zach Randolph stole it from him and it led to a layup.
Westbrook was fouled by Tony Allen shooting a three. He hit all three free throws to tie the game at 103 hit both free throws with 2:35 left on the clock.
On the next possession, Westbrook faked out his defender and buried a 3-pointer. Oklahoma City led 105-102.
But Westbrook wasn't done there. The Thunder came up with another stop and he hit another dagger 3-pointer to put the Oklahoma City up 108-102 with 1:25 left.
The Grizzlies couldn't respond on the other end and Westbrook closed out the night at the free throw line.
Even though Westbrook struggled with his shot to start the game, he was only three rebounds and two assists away from a triple double in the first half.
It was the rest of the Oklahoma City lineup who picked up the slack in scoring. The combination of Roberson, Morrow, Adams and Lauvergne combined for 33 points on 14 of 18 shooting in the first half as the Thunder led 58-48.
In the third, it was the Grizzlies turn to put forth a balanced attack. Led by Gasol, Conley and Chandler Parson, Memphis went on a run to get back into the game. They held an 82-80 lead heading into the fourth.
As stellar of a defender as Adams is, he had no answer for Gasol. With his ability to knock down step back jumpers and pass out of the post, Adams was at his mercy in second half.
NOTES: Oklahoma City F Anthony Morrow shared the sentiments of San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich that Black History Month is a reminder there is still work to do. "I think he's right. One election and you start seeing stuff that we saw 30, 40, 50 years ago," Morrow. "We came a long way like you said, but we've got a long way to go as well. It's something all of us have to come to and just have awareness of it." ... Memphis coach David Fizdale said moving F Zach Randolph to the bench has re-energized the veteran's career. "We had a real need in that second unit," Fizdale said. "We wanted Mike Conley to be more aggressive scoring in that first unit. Second unit really need some punch. He has really embraced it and truly re-invented himself." ... Thunder F Alex Abrines missed his second straight game with back spasms.