There was no comeback against the Grizzlies this time.
Memphis ended the Thunder’s four-game winning streak with a 110-97 win inside Chesapeake Energy Arena on Thursday night.
After getting off to a slow start, the Thunder cut the halftime deficit to two thanks to an 11-5 run over the last 2:20 of the second quarter. But the third-quarter issues that have plagued Oklahoma City all year long popped up again as the Grizzlies outscored OKC 37-27 in the frame.
Memphis built their lead to as many as 20 in the fourth quarter, going up 96-76 on a Jonas Valanciunas layup with 9:10 left to play.
The Grizzlies shot nearly 55% from the floor, hitting on 46 of their 84 shots from the field. Memphis also hit on 40% of their shots from beyond the arc.
In comparison, Oklahoma City shot just 41.3% from the field and 28.6% from three.
Chris Paul led the way for the Thunder, posting a double-double with a game-high 23 points to go along with 11 assists. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had 21 while Dennis Schroder added 20.
Oklahoma City missed the presence of Danilo Gallinari in the lineup. Gallo missed Thursday’s game with left ankle soreness. Billy Donovan announced that Gallinari will not be making the trip to Charlotte and Toronto with the team as a “precautionary measure”.
Darius Bazley, who got the start once again in the place of Gallinari, scored three points.
Oklahoma City has a quick turnaround. The Thunder will back the second game of a back-to-back in Charlotte on Friday night.
OKC and the Hornets tip-off at 6 p.m. CT.
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