Memphis Grizzlies dominate Oklahoma City Thunder, 95-83: NBA Play-off Recap
Zach Randolph chipped in 30 points and 13 boards as the eighth-seeded Memphis Grizzlies avoided elimination by stunning the Oklahoma City Thunder with 95-83 in Game 6 of their Western Conference semi-finals on Friday, May 13.
"It is not over yet," said the Grizzlies' Coach Lionel Hollins.
Indeed, Memphis tied the series at 3-3, pulling away in the final period of a seesaw game to force seventh contest against the fourth-seeded Thunder.
Game 7 is scheduled for Sunday in Oklahoma City.
Russell Westbrook led Oklahoma City with 27 points while Kevin Durant, the NBA's leading scorer each of the previous two seasons, shot just 3-of-14 for 11 points.
Oklahoma City was up by as many as 13 points, but failed to hold off the Grizzlies who are fighting for their season in front of a hopeful home crowd.
Both teams are competing for the opportunity to play the Dallas Mavericks, who knocked off the Los Angeles Lakers in the other conference semi-final.
The Thunder were sloppy with the ball in the opening frame, committing seven turnovers and Durant picking up his second foul on a charge with just less than five minutes into the play.
In spite of that, Oklahoma City held a seven-point edge until a 9-0 Grizzlies' spurt, which was capped by a game-tying three-pointer from Mike Conley, put Memphis ahead. Memphis was up by as many as six points, but it was 23-21 Oklahoma City heading into the second frame.
Westbrook took over, posting nine points in the second period to give the Thunder a 54-44 margin at the half-time. Oklahoma City held a 13-point edge in the quarter at the end of a 17-5 flurry highlighted by seven points from Westbrook.
The Grizzlies opened the third period on an 11-2 burst to get within 56-55.
O.J. Mayo hit a layup to put the Grizzlies up by 2 points, 67-65 with less than three minutes to play in the third frame. Memphis had to trim a 10-point half-time deficit to get into that position.
The Grizzlies held a 72-68 advantage heading into the final period. Randolph drained a pair of free-throws to give Memphis a nine-point edge with less than six minutes remaining, and Randolph and Mayo both then drilled jumpers to maintain the lead in the following minutes.
Durant was score-less in the final quarter and Westbrook also could not keep Oklahoma City in the contest by himself. Mike Conley's layup made it 90-79 for the Grizzlies inside two minutes left.
Memphis built its lead as high as 13 points down the stretch. Mayo poured in 16 points, while Conley ended with 11 points and a franchise play-off record 12 helpers.
"This is where we want to be, playing Game 7. It's going to be tough to win that game in Oklahoma City, but we believe we can do it," said Randolph.
Memphis, after picking up its first play-off victory and eliminating the top- seeded San Antonio Spurs in the first-round, needs just one more victory to become the first eighth seeded team to reach the Western Conference finals.
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