(SportsNetwork.com) – The Memphis Grizzlies will try to keep their unblemished
record intact when they visit the injury-riddled Oklahoma City Thunder Friday
night at Chesapeake Energy Arena.
The Grizzlies are 5-0 and opened a three-game road trip with a 102-91 win over
the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday, as Mike Conley and Courtney Lee scored 24 and
22 points, respectively. Conley dished out 11 assists and Marc Gasol ended
with 18 points, six assists and five rebounds.
Zach Randolph had 10 points for Memphis, which posted a 56-39 advantage in the
final two quarters.
“They’re a good team and holding them to under 20 points in both the third and
the fourth quarter, we’re really proud of our guys,” said Grizzlies head coach
Dave Joerger. “We just played with a lot more force.”
Memphis has won its first three road games to start a season for the first
time in franchise history. The Grizzlies will visit Milwaukee Saturday.
The Thunder are off to a miserable 1-4 start without superstars Kevin Durant
(foot) and Russell Westbrook (hand).
Oklahoma City suffered a 100-88 loss at the hands of the Toronto Raptors on
Tuesday, as Serge Ibaka led the way with 25 points and 11 rebounds. Lance
Thomas had 14 points and Reggie Jackson ended with 13 and 14 assists for the
Thunder, who shot 52.3 percent and committed 21 turnovers for 30 Toronto
points.
“It was an effort that I’m encouraged with. These guys are scrappy,” Thunder
coach Scott Brooks said. “This is all new for all of us.”
The Thunder will host Sacramento on Sunday and won three of four meetings with
Memphis last season.
Memphis has lost three in a row and seven of its last 10 trips to OKC.
