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Thunder, Grizzlies clash in OKC

Jan 8, 2011 - 4:07 PM (Sports Network) - The Oklahoma City Thunder are back home after a big win in Dallas and hope to keep the momentum going Saturday night versus the Memphis Grizzlies.

The Thunder salvaged the finale of a three-game road trip with Thursday's 99-95 triumph over the Mavericks, as Kevin Durant finished with a game-high 28 points and Jeff Green added 16 to go with nine rebounds. Russell Westbrook finished with 15 points and nine assists for the Thunder, who halted a two- game skid and won for the 10th time in 15 tries.

OKC also avoided the first three-game losing streak of the season. The Durant- Westbrook tandem is currently tied with LeBron James and Dwyane Wade of the Miami Heat as the league's highest scoring duo (49.8 points per game). Miami is off tonight and will resume play Sunday in Portland.

"Guys really committed on improving after last game, or last few games," Thunder head coach Scott Brooks said. "It takes effort from all guys for us to win."

Serge Ibaka scored 13 points off the bench in the win. The Thunder are tied with Utah atop the Northwest standings and are 13-6 as the host this season. They also have won two straight and three of four home games.

Meanwhile, the Grizzlies will begin a three-game road trip tonight against the Thunder, Bobcats and Pistons, and are just 6-13 as the visitor this season.

The Grizzlies have ripped off three straight wins and will look to match a season-high four-game winning streak from mid-December. In a 110-99 win over the Utah Jazz on Friday from FedEx Forum, Rudy Gay scored 28 points and Zach Randolph provided 26 and 11 rebounds for Memphis, which has won five of seven games overall.

"We did a heck of a job in the second half," said Memphis coach Lionel Hollins said. "And Rudy and Zach kept making buckets."

Memphis had 17 steals in the game and forced Utah to commit a season-high 23 turnovers, converting those giveaways into 27 points.

The Grizzlies recently handed Oklahoma City a 110-105 loss on Jan. 4 at FedEx Forum in the first of four matchups this season, as Randolph scored 13 of his game-high 31 points in the fourth quarter. Durant and Westbrook both netted 28 points in that one for the Thunder, who have still won six of nine meetings in the series.

Memphis has lost two straight and seven of 11 road bouts with the Thunder.