Thunder 111, Grizzlies 103

The Grizzlies had their best chance to snap a five-game losing streak on Saturday with the relatively harmless Oklahoma City Thunder, losers of 14 straight, in town.  Unfortunately, the Grizzlies choked away a double-digit lead in the second half and suffered a humiliating 111-103 defeat instead.

The Grizzlies seemed to be in control of the game in the first half, although their 10 turnovers kept some rays of hope alive for the visiting Thunder.  Then, in the third quarter, it all came unraveled.  This team is obviously not going to be a third-quarter team.  By now I am resigning myself to the fact that they are just too young to learn from their mistakes.  They can't come out of the break with any intensity.  But in a game where you are expected to handle your opponent easily, you have to lay down the hammer.  You can't come out and let them dictate the flow of the game.  You can't sleepwalk.  The Grizzlies haven't been in any situations this season where they have been in position to put a team away decisively, but that shouldn't be an excuse.

This team had one of the best defenses in the league for about a week.  Now the stats aren't so impressive.  True, their current stretch has included some good teams, but I think last night's collapse is a bad sign.  They should have been able to win easily by using the same level of intensity that nearly got them a win against San Antonio.  Instead they turned on the cruise control, and the Thunder took advantage of an opportunity.

The Thunder outscored the Grizzlies 68-49 in the second half, including 35-23 in the fourth quarter.  Once the Thunder finally took the lead at 100-99 with 2:57 remaining, the Grizzlies went cold, going without a point until O.J. Mayo hit a 3-pointer with 27 seconds left.

The Grizzlies went through the motions on defense in the third quarter.  The Thunder had little trouble moving the ball, and the Grizzlies didn't try very hard to stop them.  I have to believe this was just a case of the Grizzlies overlooking an opponent because they played better defense than that against the Spurs and Jazz.

The first half went as expected for the Grizzlies as they shot 64 percent and appeared to be on their way to an easy victory.  But, in the NBA, nothing is guaranteed.  In the end the Grizzlies (hopefully) learned a valuable lesson and won't see a repeat of a game like this.  This was the third straight game in which the Grizzlies shot over 50 percent from the floor and lost. 

Mayo led the Grizzlies with 30 points.  Kevin Durant scored 30 for Oklahoma City while Jeff Green added 22.