• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

Grizzlies, Thunder tangle in Memphis

Jan 4, 2011 - 4:19 PM (Sports Network) - The Memphis Grizzlies hope to build on one of their best wins of the season tonight when they open up a brief two-game homestand against Kevin Durant and the Oklahoma City Thunder.

The Grizzlies salvaged the finale of a three-game road trip on Sunday by routing the two-time defending NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers, 104-85. Rudy Gay scored 27 points and Zach Randolph had 21 in that one as Memphis earned its most lopsided road win ever over the Lakers.

The Grizzlies got 15 points from reserve O.J. Mayo and salvaged the 1-2 road trip with only their third win in eight games overall. They also snapped a four-game road losing streak to the Lakers.

"To come in here and beat the world champions, that can motivate us," said Randolph.

Memphis, which is 9-6 at FedEx Forum, will finish its quick residency against Utah on Jan. 7.

The Thunder, meanwhile, are coming off one of their worst losses, a 101-74 drubbing at the hands of 29-4 San Antonio on Saturday. Tim Duncan finished with 21 points and nine rebounds in that one for the Spurs.

Durant, the NBA's leading scorer at 27.9 points per game, led the Thunder by matching his season-low with 16 points. Serge Ibaka added 14 points and 13 rebounds and James Harden scored 12 for Oklahoma City, which had a two-game winning streak snapped in the opener of a three-game road trip.

"We got beat by the best team in basketball," Thunder head coach Scott Brooks said. "They handed it to us pretty fair and square."

The Thunder, who are 10-6 on the road, finish their trip in Dallas on Thursday.

Oklahoma City won two of three meetings with the Grizzlies last season and has taken four of five overall in the series.

These teams will tangle again Saturday in Oklahoma City.