Caboclo's career night powers Grizzlies past Thunder

[March 26, 2019]  Bruno Caboclo scored a career-high 24 points to lift the Memphis Grizzlies to a 115-103 home win over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Monday.

Caboclo hadn't scored more than 16 points in any of his 60 previous NBA games over five seasons. He also tied his career high with 11 rebounds. Jonas Valancuinas added 18 points and 14 rebounds for Memphis.

Paul George led the Thunder with 30 points but was just 10 of 29 from the floor.

The difference in the game was the start of the halves. The Grizzlies scored the first nine points of the first and third quarters, first to build their lead and then to extend their advantage to 15 in the opening two minutes of the third.

Caboclo scored five points during the early stretch to start the game. Tyler Dorsey did the same to begin the second half.

The Thunder battled back from the initial deficit, briefly taking a lead midway through the second quarter, but Memphis quickly popped off a 16-5 run to take control again.

Without Mike Conley, Memphis got a big boost from Dorsey, who scored 21 points to help lift the Grizzlies to just their second win in six games. The second-year shooting guard hadn't scored more than 11 points in any game this season before scoring 29 at Orlando on Friday.

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) drives against Memphis Grizzlies guard Justin Holiday (7) at FedExForum. Memphis won 115-103. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports

Conley was out for the second time in three games, missing Monday's game due to thigh soreness.

While Memphis is still near the bottom of the Western Conference standings, it is above .500 at home. Memphis has home wins over Utah, Portland, Houston and now Oklahoma City this season.

The loss could prove to be costly for the Thunder, who are battling for playoff position in the Western Conference.

Oklahoma City entered the game in sixth place, tied with the Utah Jazz but holding the tiebreaker, and just a half-game ahead of the San Antonio Spurs for eighth place.

The Thunder are now just 6-11 since the All-Star break.

--Field Level Media

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