Russell Westbrook’s game-high 40 points weren’t enough for the OKC Thunder in Memphis on Monday night—newly-acquired Memphis Grizzlies guard Mario Chalmers came off the bench for 29 points and led the home side to a 122-114 win.
Proud big bro iam. @mchalmers15 way to take that champion swagger to Memphis lil bro..
— DWade (@DwyaneWade) November 17, 2015
Chalmers was drenched in “Rio! Rio!” chants by the Grizz faithful in the fourth quarter.
Russ shot 13-of-19 from the field, and added 14 assists in the loss.
Per the Commercial Appeal:
The backup combo guard, whom the Griz recently acquired in a trade with the Miami Heat, led a decisive offensive onslaught with 16 of the Grizzlies’ 43 fourth-quarter points. […] Chalmers ended up with 13 points from the free throw line and made 6 of 13 field goal attempts, including four 3-pointers.
“And he doesn’t know the plays yet,” Griz center Marc Gasol said. “Imagine when he knows the plays.” […] Mostly playing out of pick-and-rolls, Chalmers has looked comfortable in three games with the Griz. He’s provided a defensive spark and much-needed offensive firepower off the bench.
“I just try to bring as much energy to the game as possible,” Chalmers said. “We all bought in and started focusing and we were able to pull away (in the fourth). It means a lot when your coach and your teammates have confidence and they want you to shoot.”
