Thunder tames Grizzlies

February 2, 2013

THUNDER STRUCK — Oklahoma City’s Kevin Durant, front, gets fouled by Memphis player Tony Allen, right, as he goes in for a layup while Memphis players Marc Gasol, left, and Jerryd Bayless, back, watch during Thursday night’s game at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Durant made the layup and added the free throw for the conventional three-point play. Photo by Jason Gray

OKLAHOMA CITY — The Oklahoma City Thunder returned home from its six-game road trip to face the Memphis Grizzlies on Thursday night at Chesapeake Energy Arena.
Meanwhile, the San Antonio Spurs have reeled off nine straight wins to take a one-and-a-half game lead on the Thunder (tied in the loss column) in the race for the best record in the National Basketball Association heading into Thursday night’s game.
The Thunder needed a win to keep pace with the Spurs, and to avenge a mid-November loss at home to these same Grizzlies.
The Thunder shot 12 of 15 in the first quarter for a 32-22 lead, and then its defense held Memphis to just two points over the first six-plus minutes of the second quarter and pushed out to a 19-point (43-24) lead and cruised to the eventual 106-89 victory.