Memphis Grizzlies finally bow out of the playoffs; lose game-7 to the Oklahoma City Thunder – Part 1
The Oklahoma City (OKC) Thunder won the game-7 of the Western Conference semi-final series, 105-90 and finally put an end to an incredible post-season run by the Memphis Grizzlies. The star power of OKC and their home court advantage
eventually proved to be the difference in one of most enthralling series of this year’s playoffs.
Kevin Durant followed up his disappointing 11 point performance in the game-6 with a dominant showing in front of the sell-out Oklahoma City Arena crowd. Durant scored 39 points, including 21 in the second half, as he led the Thunder
into the Western Conference Finals.
Durant later said that he was determined to make amends for game-6 and thanked his teammates for giving him the opportunity to do so, "I just attacked the basket. My teammates put me in good position to score. I was so upset with
myself in Game Six I just wanted to be aggressive today. We stuck with playing our game and then let whatever was gonna happen happen."
Russell Westbrook had a huge game as well as recorded a his first playoff triple-double, the first player to do so in a game seven since Scottie Pippen in 1992. Westbrook had 14 points, 14 assists and also grabbed 10 rebounds.
James Harden and Nick Collison came off the bench to provide 17 points and 12 rebounds respectively.
The Memphis Grizzlies had four players in double figures on the night. Mike Conley led the team with 18 points. Zach Randolph had a quite night considering his heroic standards this post season, but still managed a double-double
with 17 points and 10 rebounds. O.J. Mayo and Marc Gasol were the other two players to cross the 10-point mark.
The Grizzlies’ coach Lionel Collins said after the game that his team tried hard, but were undone by some careless mistakes and the super effort by Oklahoma City,
"Every time we started to get close we'd either turn the ball over or miss a shot and Westbrook we key the fast break. And it seemed like every time they would miss a shot Westbrook was there to get the offensive rebound, he or
Collison."
Kevin Durant and the Thunder got off to a slow start and Memphis were up by 5 with 6:07 remaining in the first quarter. Durant’s struggles from the previous game continued as he shot just 2-of-9 from the field. However, the Grizzlies
couldn’t take advantage thanks to shooting problems of their own. Grizzlies also hit a low 30.4 percent off the field. This gave the Thunder just enough breathing space and they reeled off a 9 – 2 run to finish the quarter on top at 21 – 17.
Memphis hit back at the start of the second quarter. They tied the scores at the start after going 4 – 0. However, with 7:39 remaining Durant found his stroke. The league’s top scorer drained one from downtown to initiate a 9
– 2 run for the Thunder. Another three from Durant with around 2 minutes remaining, took the gap into double figures. Memphis brought it down somewhat before the halftime but Oklahoma City ended the first half leading at 42 - 34.
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