The Oklahoma City Thunder looked to take a two game lead over the Memphis Grizzlies with a win tonight. It was all Memphis through most of this game as they would play well on both ends of the floor. Their defense was very strong as they took away post opportunities for Kevin Durant from the start. The Grizzlies would work a ten point lead during this game and looked in control for the most part. But the Thunder came back on the stellar play of both Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook. They made huge plays on offense and took the lead late in the game. But Memphis would have the answer yet again as Mike Miller would hit a huge three pointer with 55 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter to give the Grizzlies a two point lead.
Two crucial plays occurred as Russell Westbrook missed on a contested three and Kevin Durant made a very critical turnover to give the ball to Memphis. After free throws the Grizzlies lead was five points. It looked over for Oklahoma City as their chances for a win were small. But with under twenty seconds remaining in regulation, Kevin Durant would nail a three pointer and draw a foul. The Thunder would come within one point of grabbing the lead. After Mike Conley missed and made a free throw, the Thunder were down two with a chance to tie.
Russell Westbrook missed on a long three point opportunity, but the unlikely Kendrick Perkins was waiting for the rebound and was able to put the ball in to tie the game. That score was just the second field goal for Perkins and one that was huge for Oklahoma City. The game would head into overtime where the Grizzlies would score the first four points taking a 103-99 lead. The Thunder would get a basket from Kevin Durant to cut the lead to three, but Zach Randolph would answer with a bucket of his own bringing the Grizzlies lead to 105-101. But it was just another big shot by Kevin Durant as he connected on his fifth three-pointer to pull the Thunder within one. After some sloppy play by both teams Kevin Durant would be fouled on a jump shot and would tie the game at the line after missing and making a free throw.
But after a time-out the Grizzlies would get an excellent basket from Zach Randolph in the paint as Memphis regained the lead 107-105. After a Thunder timeout, Serge Ibaka would travel thus giving the ball right back to Memphis. The Grizzlies would make a series of free throws and a series of stops to win this game 111-105.
It was just a fantastic showing from Memphis tonight. After losing a heartbreaker in game one, they came back strong tonight to pull into a 1-1 series tie. After game one it looked like that was an opportunity lost by Memphis, but tonight they proved that otherwise.
With this series now headed to Memphis, the Grizzlies sit in an excellent position to take the series lead. If the two previous games are anything of what this series will be, this will be one heck of a series.
Tonight the performance by Zach Randolph was important for Memphis. Randolph scored 25 points as he did his damage inside. His game is predicated on his ability to dominate inside. Tonight he did that and that was an area the Thunder couldn’t stop in the end. His play in this series is probably the most important for Memphis because of his ability to get second chance points. He always finds himself in position to succeed inside and he did that tonight.
The Thunder had a fantastic game out of Kevin Durant tonight as he scored 36 points. His play didn’t win the Thunder the game, but he did everything he could to win tonight. He made some amazing plays tonight, but came up on the losing end. His teammate Russell Westbrook also had a strong game as he scored 29 points. He took some poor shots, but overall his play tonight was solid. He also did other things to help tonight as he grabbed seven rebounds and dished out eight assists.
This was a great game from start to finish. With the series now tied at one, both teams have an opportunity to win this series. But with the Grizzlies now having two straight home games, their chance is higher given their success at home. The next game between these two teams will happen Thursday April 24th.
Photo Credit: Ronald Martinez/Getty Images
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