Thunder 105, Grizzlies 89

OKLAHOMA CITY — Forward Kevin Durant scored 26 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, leading the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 105-89 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday at the Chesapeake Energy Arena.

Oklahoma City (28-25) moved three games over .500 for the first time this season. The Thunder also pulled within a half-game of the idle Phoenix Suns for eight place in Western Conference as both teams head into the All-Star break.

The Grizzlies (39-14) lost for only the second time in 12 games. They enter the break with the second-best record in the West.

After the Thunder led by 22 points, the margin was whittled down to 11 midway through the fourth quarter. Durant, who had his shoe off and had ice around a foot, was forced to come back into the contest.

Durant’s first shot was a jumper from the baseline that slowed down the Grizzlies’ momentum with six minutes left.

Memphis came up empty on five straight possessions, and forwards Nick Collison and Serge Ibaka pushed the Thunder’s advantage to 99-82 with 3:41 left.

Durant was really laboring up and down the floor, not making it past half court, and he was removed from the game. One minute late, the rest of the Thunder starters went to the bench.

Forward Zach Randolph led the Grizzlies with 16 points and 11 rebounds. Forward Jeff Green and guard Beno Udrih added 11 points apiece on 4-of-13 shooting and 4-of-11 shooting, respectively. Center Marc Gasol was held to eight points and five rebounds.

Oklahoma City guard Russell Westbrook posted 24 points, nine assists and nine rebounds. Collison came off the bench to score 15 points and haul in nine boards.

Ibaka took an elbow to the nose late in the first quarter from Randolph. He had to leave the court and be taken to the locker room, but he returned to action.

Oklahoma City held a 35-26 lead after the first quarter. Led by Durant and Westbrook, the Thunder ended the first half on a 21-6 run. The duo were a combined 4-for-5 from 3-point range, and the Thunder led 66-48 at the break. It was the most points Memphis allowed in the first half all season.

When the Grizzlies beat the Thunder on Jan. 31, they held Oklahoma City to 74 total points. With 5:44 left in the third quarter Wednesday, Oklahoma City already had 77 points and led by 21 points.

The Grizzlies were unable to manage anything on offense. They shot 2-for-12 from 3-point range and were outrebounded by 49-42.

NOTES: With eight days off between games, Oklahoma City coach Scott Brooks likes the new All-Star weekend format that adds days to the break. “A few extra days I think is good got all parties involved,” Brooks said. … With his team going through the rough part of the schedule, Memphis coach David Joerger likes what he has seen from his reserves. … When Brooks was at UC Irvine, he faced UNLV coach Jerry Tarkanian and said he grew to know him personally the last few years of his life. “He got players that played hard every night,” Brooks said. “They played with anger every night. And they played with determination every night.”