Oklahoma City Thunder notebook: Thunder start dooms Memphis
Oklahoma City converted its first nine field-goal attempts; that's the best shooting start in Thunder history and the best start in the NBA this season.
OKC converted its first nine field-goal attempts in Thursday's 106-89 victory over the Memphis at Chesapeake Energy Arena, and the Grizzlies countered by missing their first six shots from the floor.
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That's the best shooting start in Thunder history and the best start in the NBA this season.
But even when OKC finally missed its first shot with 3:44 remaining in the opening quarter, its lead was just 20-14.
The Grizzlies scratched and clawed to stay close and Thunder cooperated with eight first-quarter turnovers.
OKC led 32-22 after the first quarter after shooting 80 percent (12 for 15) from the floor compared to 33.3 percent (8 for 24) for Memphis.
With the Thunder rarely missing, all seven of Memphis' rebounds in the first quarter were at the offensive end.
The Grizzlies shot 34.7 percent for the game compared to 55.6 percent for OKC.
“I think we played extremely well, sharing the ball and making the right play early,” Thunder guard Thabo Sefolosha said.
SECOND CHANCES
Memphis took 26 more shots and had 17 more offensive rebounds (21-4) than OKC, yet still lost by 17 points.
The Grizzlies failed to convert their second-chance opportunities, going just 5 for 20 from the field on follows.
Meanwhile, the Thunder had 25 assists on 40 field goals and outscored Memphis 40-32 in the paint and 24-14 in fast-break points.
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