Mike Conley paces Memphis Grizzlies to defeat Oklahoma City Thunder 107-101 – NBA Recap
The Memphis Grizzlies snapped the three game victory streak of Oklahoma City Thunder by defeating them 107-101 on Monday night. Point guard Mike Conley marshalled the Grizzlies attack with 20 points, nine assists, two rebounds,
two steals and a blocked shot. The event took place at FedEx Forum, Memphis.
The Grizzlies were right on top from the start of first quarter. The Grizzlies made the spurt and outscored the Thunders in 12-6 run. Grizzlies maintained a lead of eight points until 4:11 minutes were left in the first quarter.
Then the Thunders picked the pace and close in the gap. First quarter ended with the Grizzlies leading by one point 24-25.
In the first half there were six ties and eight lead changes. The Thunder never led by more than two points, while Grizzlies made 10 points lead with less than one minute to go in the half on O.J Mayo's three pointer. Mayo's driving
layup in the half gave Grizzlies a 46-58 lead to finished first half proceedings. The Grizzlies ended the half on a 15-5 spurt.
Grizzlies continued to widen the lead in the start of the third period, but Kevin Durant started making good on possessions. With two successive three pointers put the Grizzlies on back foot. Thunders’ guard Russell Westbrook then
came into action; first hit a three pointer then capped one which dragged the deficit to single digits at 67-75. Durant scored nine points in the third segment, Thunder clogged the quarter on a 16-6 run, and Grizzlies' leading by 73-79.
The rally rolled into the final frame, as the Thunder continued their successful shooting outside the arc. The Thunder hit six three pointers out of their seven attempts after the break, which they failed attempt before. Westbrook
completed a three point play lifting the Thunder to 92-93. The Grizzlies replied with a 7-2 run, as they excavated defensively, using a blocked shot by Shane Battier and a couple of steals to haul out a 101-107 win over the Thunders.
The fourth part spirit shown by the Grizzlies reflects that they are a different team now as compared to last few years. Obviously the youngsters also deserve the credit as well such as Conley, Marc Gasol and Darrell Arthur.
"It's definitely a much more mature team," reserve guard O.J. Mayo said. "You add vets like [Williams, Allen and Battier], and they've pretty much been to the battlefield at high levels as far playoffs and finals.
"It brings a different mentality to our team; a much more focused locker room and a much more mature locker room."
Westbrook scored 27 points and provided seven assists for the Thunders. Durant had 23 points, while James Harden added 16 points. Durant said after the game,
"We made some costly mistakes. We always seemed to have it within two or three (points) and we couldn't get over that hump. But you have to give the Grizzlies credit. They always play us real tough. They're a tough-minded team
and well-coached. They played hard every possession, so you have to give those guys credit."
Tags: