MEMPHIS —Toward the middle of preseason, the dullness of exhibition basketball tends to settle into focus. Meaningful hoops is still days away, and the newness of actual games has already worn off, especially for title contenders.
The Thunder lost to the Grizzlies on Friday night, 94-78, in a sleepy preseason atmosphere in Memphis. Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and Serge Ibaka didn't suit up for OKC. Mike Conley, Zach Randolph, Marc Gasol and Tony Allen didn't suit up for the Grizzlies. All were healthy, all were resting.
Memphis' backups played decently well. The Thunder's didn't. The results reflected it.