Marc Gasol’s performances in the Conference Semi-Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder (Part-1)
Memphis Grizzlies centre Marc Gasol has been the overriding power for the Memphis Grizzlies along with the Zach Randolph, this season. The 26-year-old big, not only guided the team into the playoffs this year, but was also the
major contributor in toppling down west’s best San Antonio Spurs in the first round series of the playoffs. He has been a constant double-double threat this post-season and for once in his career, he has stolen the limelight from his elder brother, Los Angeles
Lakers’ Pau Gasol.
Although Grizzlies’ play-off journey was ended by the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday night, however the burly centre did not make their life easy. Gasol along with Randolph, spurred the Grizzlies on to fight till the very end
and it took a magic night from OKC’s Kevin Durant on Sunday, to finally fend off one of the most tenacious challenges posted by a eighth seeded team in recent history.
Here is an overview on Gasol’s performances in the semi-finals:
Game-1
The big man continued from where he left off against the Spurs and delivered a commanding performance right from the start of the series. Playing at the Oklahoma City Arena, Gasol notched up 20 points, clutched 13 rebounds and
dished out 4 assists to power the Grizzlies to an 114-101 victory and a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven series.
Gasol said after the game, "They're not an easy matchup. They're big and strong, kind of how we are. But we've got different ways to play. We don't just throw the ball in there and try to bang, bang."
Gasol was absolutely magnificent from the field and connected 9 shots out of 11, the best percentage in the game. The prolific centre scored 7 points in the first quarter as the visiting Grizzlies took 28-24 lead. He then played
a supporting role and complemented Randolph as the Grizzlies launched fight back in the final quarter.
Game-2
Although the 7ft 1 in Gasol failed to lead his team towards a victory in the game-2 of the Conference semi-finals, but he still haunted the Oklahoma City Thunder by putting up a decent performance. Gasol erupted with 13 points
and also gathered 10 rebounds. However Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant were a little too hot to handle on the night as OKC went on to level the series at 1-1. Gasol was brilliant from the charity strip in the game and landed 7 free throws in 8 attempts.
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