Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 27 points to lead the Oklahoma City Thunder to a another comfortable home win over the visiting Memphis Grizzlies, 118-99 on Tuesday in Game 2 of their Western Conference first-round series.
The Thunder, who won the opener by 51 points, lead the best-of-seven series 2-0. Game 3 is scheduled for Thursday in Memphis.
The Grizzlies cut what was a 23-point deficit to eight late in the third quarter. With Gilgeous-Alexander, an MVP front-runner, on the bench to start the fourth quarter, the Thunder scored the first nine points of the period — five by Alex Caruso — to take control for good.
Oklahoma City held the Grizzlies to just 7-of-19 shooting (36.8 percent) from the field in the fourth quarter. Memphis finished shooting 42.9 percent from the floor.
Gilgeous-Alexander, who scored a season-low 15 in the Game 1 victory, struggled from the floor again in Game 2, going just 10-for-29 overall and 3-for-10 on 3-point attempts.
Jalen Williams added 24 points for Oklahoma City, which never trailed. Chet Holmgren contributed 20 points, 11 rebounds and five blocks, and Caruso scored 13.
Jaren Jackson Jr. led Memphis with 26 points while Ja Morant added 23. Jackson scored 13 of his points in the third quarter, when the Grizzlies outscored the Thunder 27-20.
After going just 2-for-13 in the field in Game 1, Jackson was 10-for-17 overall and 2-for-3 from beyond the arc on Tuesday.
But still, Oklahoma City was too much — especially on defense.
The Thunder scored 25 points off the Grizzlies’ 15 turnovers while committing just seven turnovers themselves.
Through two games, Oklahoma City has outscored Memphis 48-8 on the fast break.
Early on, the game seemed to be heading toward another massive blowout.
Four minutes into the game, the Thunder led by double figures as the Grizzlies missed their first 10 shots. However, Memphis settled in and stayed within striking distance.
After falling behind by 19 early in the second, the Grizzlies quickly reeled off an 11-2 run to get back within 10, keyed by seven quick points by Morant.
That momentum didn’t last long, though, as Oklahoma City stretched its lead to 23 late in the half and was up by 18 at the break.
