MEMPHIS — In a year that has been dedicated to learning, Thunder coach Scott Brooks wisely didn't make the same mistake on back-to-back nights.
One night after watching Minnesota guard Mike Miller hit the game-winning jumper over Damien Wilkins, Brooks went with the more defensive-minded Desmond Mason down the stretch Saturday.
And Mason rewarded his coach by sparking the Thunder to a 111-103 win over the Memphis Grizzlies, snapping a franchise-high 14-game losing streak and giving Brooks his first victory.
Mason's blue-collar-like play in the fourth quarter contributed four rebounds, two blocked shots and two points. He also drew one critical offensive foul.
“His competitive spirit is contagious,” said Brooks, who took over when P.J. Carlesimo was fired Nov. 21. “It gets our team going. He has that unique ability to play bigger than his size. I'm not so sure Desmond knows that he's only 6-foot-5. He has a big heart and he's committed to his teammates. He showed that tonight.”
The Thunder (2-16) trailed by as many as 14 points and faced an 11-point halftime deficit. But Oklahoma City outscored Memphis 68-49 in the second half, including a 35-23 fourth quarter.
Kevin Durant scored a team-high 30 points to lead a season-high six Thunder players in double figures. Jeff Green scored 22, and Russell Westbrook, making his first career start at point guard, finished with 12 points.
“Everybody chipped in and I think everybody played defense,” Durant said. “I think that's the best thing we did. We got some key stops when we needed them. Even though they hit some tough shots we didn't back down.”
After Durant made two foul shots to give the Thunder a 101-100 lead with 2:42 left to play, Mason drew an offensive foul on Memphis’ Rudy Gay. Mason rebounded O.J. Mayo's miss on the Grizzlies' next possession and Green threw down a dunk at the other end to push the lead to three with 1:44 to play.
Mason then blocked Kyle Lowry's layup attempt before pushing the Thunder's lead to five with a jump hook. Mason followed that by blocking Gay’s shot with 53.9.
“I had an opportunity to go out there and play quite a few minutes and I just wanted to go out there and do what I could do to help us win,” Mason said. “I found myself in the right place at the right time.”
For the Thunder, the win served as much needed confirmation that the way the team has played of late will eventually pay off after two of the past three losses have come by a combined three points.
“I'm happy for our guys,” Brooks said. “I'm happy for our fans. If there's a such thing as a close third I'm happy for myself and the staff. We've all hung in there together. It hasn't been the easiest of rides, but I'm proud of the way we've hung together.”
