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MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- The Memphis Grizzlies celebrated the return of Marc Gasol with a victory over one of the leagues top teams -- and one of their biggest rivals. Courtney Lee scored a season-high 24 points, including the closing two free throws, and the Grizzlies beat the Oklahoma City Thunder 90-87 on Tuesday night in Gasols first game in almost eight weeks. While Lee provided the early offensive punch for Memphis, many teammates were talking about the return of the Gasol, the leagues reigning Defensive Player of the Year, who missed 23 games with a left knee injury. The 7-foot-1 centre played 24 minutes and finished with 12 points. "Everybody is excited, especially for him," said guard Mike Conley, who had 19 points and seven assists in Memphis third straight victory. "Hes been itching to get out there forever, and I thought he did great. It gave us a good boost." Gasol, whose return was not announced until just before the game, received a rousing ovation from the Memphis crowd when he was introduced with the starting lineup. He said the cheers gave him "goose bumps" and made him feel like a rookie again. He said the knee did not bother him, but the large knee brace he is wearing is uncomfortable. "It felt really good, especially since we got the win," Gasol said of the knee. "That makes everything worth it." Zach Randolph had 23 points and 13 rebounds on the night his inside partner returned. Kevin Durant led the Thunder with 37 points, converting 15 of 28 shots. Reggie Jackson scored 17, but also committed seven of Oklahoma Citys 19 turnovers. Serge Ibaka finished with 11 points and four blocks as the Thunder lost their third in the last four. Durant, who has dealt with an aching left wrist and did not practice Monday, had ice on it after the game, but said he did not aggravate the injury. Lee converted a 22-footer from the right wing as time ran out in the third period to help Memphis carry a 72-67 lead into the final frame. Memphis, which trailed 47-43 at the break, converted 10 of 18 shots in the third, while the Thunder managed only 9 of 22. That led to the Grizzlies outscoring Oklahoma City 29-20 in the period. Memphis still held the lead at 87-84 with less than a minute left. Jackson missed a 4-foot runner, then Gasol missed a 7-footer in the lane for Memphis. Oklahoma City had the ball after a timeout with 20 seconds left. Durant drove and kicked the ball out to Ibaka, who missed a 3-pointer from the left corner. "I seen (the defender) come off of Serge and he was wide open, and I trust him 100 per cent," Durant said. "That shot looked good, but it hit the side rim and rimmed out. "Great shot. Weve just got to live with the results." Randolph split a pair of free throws with 10.6 seconds remaining for an 88-84 lead, enough that Ibakas 3-pointer with 4.6 seconds left wasnt enough. Lees free throws provided the final margin. "Courtney Lee had his way," Oklahoma City coach Scott Brooks said. "We didnt do a good job of starting the game off on him. Throughout the game, he sprinkled in some good shots." The Thunder weathered an early burst of points from Lee, who had 14 in the first quarter as Memphis built a 12-point lead. Oklahoma City erased the advantage with a 15-1 rally spanning the first and second quarters. NOTES: The Grizzlies went 10-13 when Gasol was out of the lineup. ... Despite travelling with the team and warming up before the game, Thunder G Russell Westbrook remained on the inactive list recovering from right knee surgery. ... Lees previous season high was 18 on Dec. 13 against the Knicks when he was with Boston. ... Thunder C Kendrick Perkins now has almost as many fouls (105) as points scored this season (117). ... The game marked only the fourth time this season the Thunder has lost when outrebounding their opponent. Alan Trammell Jersey . -- Damian Lillard couldnt believe when he got a clear look at the rim. Al Kaline Jersey . This weeks Raptors Report puts a bow on Gays brief, 10-month tenure in Toronto and ponders how his absence will affect the teams offence. Are they a better team without him? In addition to acquiring some valuable cap flexibility, what impact will the four incoming players have this season and beyond? Click here for the Dec. http://www.tigersgearshop.com/ . The Blue Jackets announced the injury through their official Twitter account Friday afternoon. Gaborik, 31, has scored five goals and six assists in 17 games with the Blue Jackets in 2013-14. Custom Detroit Tigers Jerseys . The two teams will play through the completion of the game starting at 5pm ct on Wednesday. The regularly scheduled Wednesday night matchup will follow that and will now be seven innings. Leonys Martin Jersey . The Red Sox maintained a share of the AL wild-card lead Tuesday night, using four home runs to beat the Baltimore Orioles 8-7 and set up a dramatic conclusion to the regular season. The skidding Red Sox were 6-19 this month before rebounding to edge the last-place Orioles.Oliver Burke hopes his move to Germany will help him give a much-needed boost to Scotland on the international stage. Scotland take on England in a World Cup Qualifier at Wembley on Friday sitting fourth in Group F after a 3-0 defeat to Slovakia last month.But while Burke has made a fine start to his time with RB Leipzig following his record £13m move from Nottingham Forest in the summer, the 19-year-old has just four international caps to his name after making his debut against Denmark in March and has played down comparisons with Gareth Bales impact with Wales Burke hopes to win his place back in the Scotland team to face England Its obviously normal but it is not a thing people concentrate on - youre worth this or that. Its not about that, he told Sky Sports News HQ. Theyre nice comparisons. Whenever something like this happens there are always comparisons but you have to look at what Gareth Bale has done, he has won Champions League medals and is at Real Madrid and he has pretty much done everything.For me, Im nowhere near that, nowhere near his level. Im still a young boy; there is still a long way for me to go. You can compare but, for me personally, Im Oliver Burke and Im myself and I just do what I can do and work to give 100 per cent. Olliver Burke is settling into his new life in Germany and aims to win the Bundesliga in his first season at RB Leipzig Of course, Bale has been the highlight for Wales but they have many talents in their team.dddddddddddd. You cant just say Wales have got where they are because of Gareth Bale - that would be a horrible thing to hear for a team-mate of Gareth Bale in Wales.There is always going to be pressure with big moves but Ive just got to keep pushing myself and not get it all on top of me which is going really great so far. Im in a very happy place, the happiest Ive been. Watch NOW TV Watch Sky Sports for just ￡6.99. No contract. Burke was dropped for the defeat to Slovakia, a result which has piled the pressure on manager Gordon Strachan ahead of the trip to Wembley.Obviously I was very disappointed not being a part of that squad and sitting and watching the game for me wasnt the greatest of things. I will admit it, I wasnt happy but, at the end of the day, if thats what Gordon thinks is right and he is happy with that decision then that is fine, I am still happy to be there and still happy to be part of the squad. Burke has won four caps for his country Gordon Strachan has been brilliant with me, he got me into the squad and really helped me settle into the team nicely, but football is a winning game and of course these things happen. Ill go into this next camp and give my all again. There are no hard feelings or anything like that.We are going to go into the game like we are going to win. We are a passionate team and we strive for victory but it is a big occasion. Hopefully we do very well. I am excited to be a part of that; it is my first game against England.Of course we have to win - we have no option. Also See: Burke aiming high with Leipzig Adam: Strachan picks wrong Miller backs Scots underdogs Strachan out if Scots lose ' ' '