Schroder, Thunder too much for Golden State

Oklahoma City dominates; Crowder hits 3-pointer at buzzer for Grizzlies’ win

OKLAHOMA CITY — Finally, Thunder fans have something to cheer about.

Dennis Schroder scored 22 points to help Oklahoma City rout the Golden State Warriors 120-92 on Sunday for their first victory of the season.

It was a long-awaited ray of hope for fans who have been looking for something to cling to after the Thunder traded away longtime star Russell Westbrook for Chris Paul in the offseason. The blowout matched Oklahoma City’s largest margin of victory over the Warriors since the franchise moved from Seattle before the 2008-09 season.

The fact that the breakthrough came against the Warriors didn’t mean much to Paul.

“I think it was more about us, not about them,” he said. “We’ve got to have an identity. How we are going to play defensively and offensively? Pushing the pace, moving the ball and playing with the right spirit.”

Now, Paul and Westbrook will face off Monday night in Houston. Paul said it might be a bit awkward, but he won’t make a big deal about it.

“It’ll be my first time back there since I got traded so you know, it’s another game,” he said. “Move on. See a couple familiar faces say what up to my man the equipment manager. Keep it pushing.”

The Warriors still have a lot to figure out. Stephen Curry scored 23 points on Sunday, making 7 of 18 shots while his teammates made just 23 of 74. Golden State was coming off a season-opening home loss to the Los Angeles Clippers.

Kevin Durant left the Warriors for Brooklyn in the offseason and

Klay Thompson is likely out for the season with a torn left ACL. Still, Golden State expected to be more competitive early in the season.

“It sucks,” Warriors forward Draymond Green said. “But I guess just about everybody except Tim Duncan has been through it. But it sucks pretty bad.” GRIZZLIES 134, NETS 133 (OT):

In Memphis, Tenn., Jae Crowder hit a 3-pointer from the top of the key as time expired in overtime, lifting Memphis over Brooklyn.

Rookie Ja Morant, who led the Grizzlies with 30 points, handed out his ninth assist on Crowder’s winning basket, giving Memphis its first win of the season. LAKERS 120, HORNETS 101: In Los Angeles, Anthony Davis had 29 points and 14 rebounds, and Dwight Howard added 16 points, 10 boards and four blocked shots in Los Angeles’ victory over Charlotte.

LeBron James had 20 points, 12 assists and six rebounds. The Lakers took control of their second straight victory with an 18-2 rally starting late in the third quarter. TRAIL BLAZERS 121, MAVERICKS 119: In Dallas, Damian Lillard made a twisting layup with 26 seconds remaining and scored 26 of his 28 points in the second half in Portland’s victory over Dallas.

Lillard’s basket gave the Blazers a 120-119 lead. Dallas’ Luka Doncic then missed a 3-point attempt and Portland won a challenge of a call that would have sent the Mavericks’ Dorian Finney-Smith to the foul line. TIMBERWOLVES 116, HEAT 109:

In Minneapolis, Andrew Wiggins made four 3-pointers in the final six minutes, finishing with 25 points to propel Minnesota past Miami.

At 3-0, the T-Wolves matched the second-best start in the longlanguishing franchise’s history. They were 6-0 in 2001-02 and 3-0 in 2013-14.