JOIN USA day after controversially trading away top-scorer Rudy Gay, the Memphis Grizzlies were humbled 106-89 at Oklahoma City on Thursday as the Thunder stayed firmly in the hunt to be best in the west.
In a battle of NBA title contenders from the Western Conference, the second-best Thunder improved to 35-11 with the rout, while questions about whether the fourth-placed Grizzlies can contend without Gay will remain as they fell to 29-16.
Gay was shipped to Toronto as part of a multi-player and team trade on Wednesday to save Memphis money and avoid the payment of luxury taxes but it could dampen the team’s play-off hopes.
Their cause as further undermined as they were also without trade acquisitions Tayshaun Prince, Austin Daye and Ed Davis, who are yet to arrive and pass medical tests.
Kevin Durant led the Thunder with 27 points while an emotional Russell Westbrook contributed 21 despite spending time in the locker-room cooling off after a disagreement with team-mate Thabo Sefolosha.
Jerryd Bayless top-scored for the Grizzlies with 23 points.
Raptors coach fined
Toronto Raptors head coach Dwane Casey has been fined $25,000 for publicly criticising game officials, the NBA said on Thursday.
Casey made his comments during the postgame news conference after his team's 93-92 loss to the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday at Philips Arena.
Results: Oklahoma City: 106 bt Memphis: 89; Golden State: 100 bt Dallas: 97.