Paul George scored 28 points (7 during a 13-0 run in the second quarter), and the Oklahoma City Thunder beat the Memphis Grizzlies 121-114.
The Thunder took control with a 26-4 run in the second quarter and led by as many as 22.
The Grizzlies got within 115-114 on Tyreke Evans’ step-back 3-pointer with 47 seconds to play, but Carmelo Anthony answered with a 3-pointer, and the Grizzlies got no closer.
Russell Westbrook’s 3 free throws with 5.7 seconds left made it 121-114 and put it away.
During clutch time, the Thunder outscored the Grizzlies 16-7. Anthony scored 5 of the Thunder’s 16 on 2 for 4 shooting. In the fourth quarter, Westbrook had 6 of his 15 assists, all with the game within 5 points.
Westbrook had 23 points, 13 rebounds and 15 assists, his 17th triple-double of the season. Westbrook assisted on 6 of George’s 10 baskets, 2 of them in the fourth quarter.
For the Grizzlies, Andrew Harrison scored a career-high 28 points (15 on 5 3-pointers) on 10 for 16 shooting, and Evans added 23 points, 9 rebounds and 7 assists.
The Grizzlies forced 9 turnovers, about 6 fewer than usual for this many possessions. The Grizzlies’ starters outscored the Thunder 23-13 in 9 minutes together. Harrison fouled out.