Memphis Grizzlies and Oklahoma City Thunder win – NBA Playoffs First Round Game-3 Roundup (Part-4)
Memphis Grizzlies 91 – San Antonio Spurs 88
Zach Randolph buried a scorching blow from beyond the arc in the defining moments of the game to propel the Memphis Grizzlies to a breathtaking 91-88 victory over the San Antonio Spurs at the FedExForum on Saturday night. The Memphis
clinched their first ever post-season win at their home court that enabled the team to lead the best-of-seven games series 2-1 against the top seeds of the Western Conference.
Randolph finished off with a game-high 25 points while Marc Gasol provided a massive support by scoring 17 points and gathering 9 rebounds. The fans in the arena were on their toes throughout the night to support the Grizzlies
and went wild after the Grizzlies pulled off the cliff-hanger.
Memphis’ owner Mike Heisley said after the game, “The fans were incredible. The sound was just wild. I just think it pushed our guys over the top. When Z-Bo made that 3-pointer, everybody around me was having a heart attack. ...
I think this was the best atmosphere at a Grizzly game that I've ever been at.''
The Grizzlies were impressively led by Zach in the first half of the game. He scored 14 points to spearhead the home team to a comprehensive 52-42 advantage. Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili lifted the momentum for the Spurs after
halftime and surged aggressively to escalate a tie 80-80 with five minutes remaining in the final buzzer. The Grizzlies snatched back the lead swiftly in the ensuing passage, however San Antonio kept themselves and it all came down to the last minute of the
game. Randolph surged with a 3-pointer with 41.9 seconds remaining as the Grizzlies wrapped up a thrilling win.
Oklahoma City Thunder 97 - Denver Nuggets 94
Fuelled with the determination of clinching their first post-season series since moving from Seattle, the Oklahoma City Thunder outshined the Denver Nuggets 97-94 at the Pepsi Centre on Sunday night. All-Star Kevin Durant and the
guard Russell Westbrook spearheaded the Thunder and finished off with 26 and 23 points respectively.
Five players from the Nuggets landed double figures however their super effort was countered by the Oklahoma City’s dynamic duo. The game had its wavering moments for both the teams but Thunder prevailed in the defining moments
of the game.
Arron Afflalo and Kenyon Martin started out vigorously and combined for 16 points to escort the Denver to a 31-26 first quarter lead. However, Durant and company lifted the momentum dominantly in the second quarter and smashed
the opposition with 30 points. Thunder held a 56-49 lead as the game progressed into the second half.
The Nuggets bounced back after halftime and managed to snatch back the lead 73-71 before entering the final 12 minutes.
Both the teams remained scoreless in the starting couple of minutes of the fourth quarter. Durant and Westbrook however then found their groove, and although given a run for their money, proved a little too much for a starless
cast of the Bronchos.
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