NBA Weekend Roundup: Oklahoma City Thunder, Memphis Grizzlies, and Boston Celtics win - (Part 3)
Oklahoma City Thunder overpower Phoenix Suns 122-118
The Oklahoma City Thunder extended their winning streak to three games by holding on for a narrow 122-118 overtime win against the Phoenix Suns at Oklahoma City Arena on Sunday night.
Russell Westbrook played one of his best games of the season, as he led the Thunder with 32 points and 11 assists. James Harden tied a career-high 26 points and pulled down six rebounds and four assists, while Kevin Durant had 18 points with eight boards
in the win.
Vince Carter did all he could as he paced Phoenix with 29 points, including a three-pointer to send the game into overtime. Both Marcin Gortat and Mickael Pietrus scored 20 for the Suns, who have lost two of their last three games. Oklahoma and Phoenix started
the contest at crisp pace. However, the Suns then scored six of the quarter’s final eight points, taking a 28-25 lead into the second.
The Thunder continued to play offensively during the second quarter and maintained a four-point lead at 61-57 going into half time. The third quarter was a back-and-forth effort, featuring seven ties. The Suns however, had the upper hand in the frame, as
they turned the half time deficit into a 91-86 advantage entering the final stanza.
Oklahoma City got themselves back into the contest, as they held a 107-100 lead with just under three minute remaining in the fourth quarter. The Suns on the other hand, went on a 6-0 run to send the game into overtime.
Carter and Dudley hit a three-pointer at the start of overtime to put the Suns ahead by 115-113. Harden then scored from a dunk shot to tie the game at 115 with just 34 seconds to go. The Thunder scored the final eight points of overtime to seal their 22nd home
win of the season.
Memphis Grizzlies edge past Dallas Mavericks 104-103
The Memphis Grizzlies won back-to-back games with a hard-fought 104-103 victory over the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Centre on Sunday night. The victory snapped the Mavericks' eight-game winning streak.
Zach Randolph scored 21 points for the Grizzlies, making the game-winning shot with 0.3 seconds to go in the contest. Marc Gasol added 16 points and 10 rebounds while Mike Conley ended with 17 points and 10 assists for Memphis, who are now 14-20 on the road.
Jason Terry chipped in with 26 points and Dirk Nowitzki finished with 23 points for the Mavericks, who also saw a nine-game home winning streak come to an end. Dallas dominated the first two quarters of the game to take a 55-38 lead into the locker room.
Memphis got themselves back into the game in the third quarter, as they went on a 16-4 run to take a 79-78 lead into the fourth.
Both teams stayed close in the final stanza and scored 25 points each. However, the Grizzlies played well down the stretch to squeak out a single-point victory.
Boston Celtics cruise past Milwaukee Bucks 89-83
The Boston Celtics extended their winning streak to five games with an 89-83 win over the Milwaukee Bucks at the Bradley Centre on Sunday night.
Paul Pierce scored 23 points while Kevin Garnett had 14 points and 11 rebounds for the Celtics, who have won eight of their last 10 games. Guard Brandon Jennings finished with 23 points, six boards and five assists in the Bucks second consecutive defeat.
Luc Richard Mbah a Moute had 19 points and seven boards in the defeat. Centre Nenad Krstic scored 12 points in the opening quarter to give the Celtics a 27-26 lead after 12 minutes. Boston struggled early from the field in the second quarter, but Milwaukee
got enough of a rhythm to take a 49-43 lead into the locker room.
The Celtics got their shooting touch back in the third quarter as they managed to convert the six-point half time deficit into a 69-65 lead going into the final stanza.
The Bucks fought hard in the fourth quarter to make the score a respectable one. The offensive pressure nearly bore dividends as Carlos Delfino went down town to tie the score at 82 with nearly three minutes to go. Boston however, had the last laugh, as
they capped the match with a 7-1 run to seal the win.
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