Grizzlies find bite with return of Spain’s Marc Gasol, top slumping Thunder

The reigning Defensive Player of the Year played in his first game for Memphis since November 22 and helped engineer a 90-87 win over Oklahoma City, who lost despite 37 points from Kevin Durant.

Spaniard Marc Gasol had been out of action since November 22 before returning on Tuesday. Duane Burleson / AP

Associated Press

MEMPHIS, United States // The Memphis Grizzlies celebrated the return of Marc Gasol with a victory over one of the league’s top teams – and one of their biggest rivals.

Courtney Lee scored a season-high 24 points, including the closing two free throws, and the Grizzlies beat the Oklahoma City Thunder 90-87 on Tuesday night in Gasol’s first game in almost eight weeks.

While Lee provided the early offensive punch for Memphis, many teammates were talking about the return of Gasol, the league’s reigning Defensive Player of the Year, who missed 23 games with a left knee injury. The 7-foot-1 centre played 24 minutes and finished with 12 points.

“Everybody is excited, especially for him,” said guard Mike Conley, who had 19 points and seven assists in Memphis’ third straight victory. “He’s been itching to get out there forever, and I thought he did great. It gave us a good boost.”

Gasol, whose return was not announced until just before the game, received a rousing ovation from the Memphis crowd when he was introduced with the starting lineup. He said the cheers gave him “goose bumps” and made him feel like a rookie again. He said the knee did not bother him, but the large knee brace he is wearing is uncomfortable.

“It felt really good, especially since we got the win,” Gasol said of the knee. “That makes everything worth it.”

Zach Randolph had 23 points and 13 rebounds on the night his inside partner returned.

Kevin Durant led the Thunder with 37 points, converting 15-of-28 shots. Reggie Jackson scored 17, but also committed seven of Oklahoma City’s 19 turnovers. Serge Ibaka finished with 11 points and four blocks as the Thunder lost their third in the last four.

Durant, who has dealt with an aching left wrist and did not practice Monday, had ice on it after the game, but said he did not aggravate the injury.

Lee converted a 22-footer from the right wing as time ran out in the third period to help Memphis carry a 72-67 lead into the final frame.

Memphis, who trailed 47-43 at the break, converted 10-of-18 shots in the third, while the Thunder managed only 9-of-22. That led to the Grizzlies outscoring Oklahoma City 29-20 in the period.

Memphis still held the lead at 87-84 with less than a minute left. Jackson missed a 4-foot runner, then Gasol missed a 7-footer in the lane for Memphis. Oklahoma City had the ball after a timeout with 20 seconds left. Durant drove and kicked the ball out to Ibaka, who missed a three-pointer from the left corner.

“I seen (the defender) come off of Serge and he was wide open, and I trust him 100 percent,” Durant said. “That shot looked good, but it hit the side rim and rimmed out.

“Great shot. We’ve just got to live with the results.”

Randolph split a pair of free throws with 10.6 seconds remaining for an 88-84 lead, enough that Ibaka’s three-pointer with 4.6 seconds left wasn’t enough.

Lee’s free throws provided the final margin.

“Courtney Lee had his way,” Oklahoma City coach Scott Brooks said. “We didn’t do a good job of starting the game off on him. Throughout the game, he sprinkled in some good shots.”

The Thunder weathered an early burst of points from Lee, who had 14 in the first quarter as Memphis built a 12-point lead.

Oklahoma City erased the advantage with a 15-1 rally spanning the first and second quarters.

OTHER TUESDAY RESULTS

Pacers 116, Kings 92

Paul George scored 31 points to lead the Indiana Pacers to a comfortable victory over the in-form Sacramento Kings, who were seeking a fourth win in succession.

The Pacers built on a dominating 26-5 second-quarter run as they improved their NBA-leading record to 30-7 in their quest for home-court advantage in the play-offs.

After improving their home record to 19-1 this season, it was confirmed that the Pacers staff will be the Eastern Conference coaches for the NBA All-Star Game in New Orleans.

DeMarcus Cousins led the Kings (13-23) in scoring with 31 points and 13 rebounds. It was his 11th consecutive double-double.

The Pacers reached season highs in scoring with 116 points, 59 first-half points and 55 per cent shooting from the field.

Cavaliers 120, Lakers 118

Luol Deng broke out for his new team with 27 points on 9-of-15 shooting (including 5-for-5 from three) while Anderson Varejao scored 18, grabbed 18 rebounds and dished out six assists as Clevelend (14-24) nipped Los Angeles (14-24). Tristan Thompson also added 15 points and 13 rebounds for the Cavs.

Pau Gasol notched a double-double for the Lakers, coring 20 and collecting 12 rebounds. Nick Young led LA with 28 and Jode Meeks added 26.

Bobcats 108, Knicks 98

Al Jefferson scored a season-high 35 points and guard Kemba Walker added 25 as the Charlotte Bobcats snapped a three-game losing streak with a victory over the surging New York Knicks.

Jefferson scored 19 of his points in the first half, when the Bobcats pulled out to a 55-46 halftime lead.

Charlotte (16-23) went on to lead by as many as 17 points in the second half and never let the Knicks get closer than four briefly in the third quarter.

The Knicks had a five-game winning streak snapped as they showed the effects of fatigue after a 98-96 overtime win over Phoenix on Monday. They fell to 15-23 with the loss.

Carmelo Anthony led the Knicks with 20 points but was just 9-of-22 from the field. New York also got 17 points from forward Amare Stoudemire.