Grizzlies fall to Thunder, 114-102

“I don’t necessarily think they’ve played poorly”, Thunder coach Billy Donovan said. If not for garbage time, Adams would likely be looking at minutes 35 minutes per game. For the Thunder, Alex Abrines is questionable (back spasms), though he was available on Sunday, and Enes Kanter remains out (fractured right ula).

“Obviously Russell was spectacular”, coach Billy Donovan said nearly in passing as he went on to talk about the Thunder’s defense.

Those who want to talk about lack of trust in teammates don’t watch enough Westbrook.

Jabari Parker had 27 points and 11 rebounds and Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 23 for the Bucks, who have lost 10 of 11.

Marc Gasol led the Grizzlies with 31 points and eight assists. Memphis scored the first six points of the second half to make competitive a game it trailed by double digits.

With 4:20 left in the fourth, Lauvergne drained a 3-pointer to cut Grizzlies lead down to 98-96. With constant injuries to Westbrook, Ibaka and himself along with the front office’s inability to get free agents I can understand why Durant would get frustrated and eventually leave. They could not manage to get open shots and when they did, they weren’t falling. “Tonight we came out and were the more physical team, set the tone in that aspect”.

Over the past 10 games, Leonard has been perhaps the most dominant scorer in the league, totaling 30 or more points on seven occasions. It was his season high in points.

Grizzlies: Committed just 12 turnovers.

OKC had led 58-48 at the half but saw the visitors charge into the lead (82-80) with a 34-22 third quarter.

Westbrook picked up his 10th assist on a play that’s been missing from the Thunder arsenal: The baseline inbounds pass underneath the opponents’ basket.

Westbrook hit two dagger 3s with time running out.

The Pacers were 1-7 on the second night of a back-to-back in their first eight attempts, but have now won their last two such games.

Fred Katz is the Thunder beat writer for the Norman Transcript and CNHI Oklahoma as well as the host of the Locked on Thunder podcast. They connected on 16 3-pointers Monday at Phoenix and followed that with 14 3-pointers Wednesday night at Denver. Portland would go on to take a 52-46 lead into the intermission by shooting 61 percent from the field and 71 percent from three while holding the Thunder to 29 percent shooting.