fbpx
Skip to main content

NBA Playoffs: Grizzlies Tie Up Series Against Thunder

Overtime games in the Western Conference Playoffs. Get used to them. The Oklahoma City Thunder, mounting what could have been considered a series-defining comeback in the fourth quarter, ultimately fell short at home against the underdog Memphis Grizzlies in overtime Monday evening. 

It wasn’t without drama.

Memphis squandered a five-point lead with 19 seconds left in a performance that seemed to indicate it was getting rattled by an energized crowd at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City. Despite blowing that late lead, Memphis was able to draw first blood in overtime and exit Game 2 with a six-point victory. 

Zach Randolph put up 25 points, including eight points in overtime, to lead the Grizzlies to an impressive road victory. Mike Conley, who was one of my key players heading into the series, added a near triple double (19 points, seven rebounds and 12 assists). Memphis’ bench also came through big time in the effort. Backup point guard Beno Udrih added 14 points in just as many minutes on 6-of-8 from the field. Defensive stallwart Tony Allen also filled the stat line. He added eight points, eight rebounds, three assists and four steals in an impressive 35-minute performance.

That’s precisely where the difference was in this game. Memphis’ bench outscored the Thunder’s second team 33-14. It finished with a combined +19 compared to -7 from the Thunder bench.

For Oklahoma City, Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook did their part. They combined to score 65 points, grab 18 rebounds and dish out 12 assists. The issue there, however, is that these two All-Stars shot just 41 percent from the field and 32 percent behind the three-point line. In what was an uncharacteristic performance from Durant, 43 percent of his field goal attempts came from behind the three-point line. Compare that to 29 percent from the regular season, and you know Durant wasn’t at the top of his game.

Any time you can force Durant to attempt that many shots from behind the arc, you are doing something right on the defensive side of the ball.

With that said, blame cannot be placed on Durant and Westbrook. They’re the two best players on one of the best teams in the NBA. It’s the rest of the Thunder roster that didn’t get it done. Kendrick Perkins attempted one shot and grabbed just four rebounds in 27 unproductive minutes. Their bench also combined for just 4-of-16 from the field and 1-of-6 from the three-point line.

Overall, this was an extremely well-played game. The two teams combined for just 17 turnovers and 42 fouls. The pace was what we expect from the playoffs, and Memphis came through with a big-time win. It is now going to have to hold court at home starting Thursday evening. For now, the Grizzlies have to feel good about their chances against an Oklahoma City squad that simply doesn’t seem to have it all together right now.

Photo: Mark D. Smith, USA Today

More About: