Oklahoma City Thunder reach the Western Conference Finals; overcome the Memphis Grizzlies 105-90
With their season on the line, Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook led the Oklahoma City (OKC) Thunder to a 105-90 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies in the game-7 of the Western Conference Semifinals on Sunday night at Oklahoma City Arena. With the win, the OKC finally shrugged off one of the most tenacious challenge posted by a team in the year’s playoffs. They will now take on the Dallas Mavericks in the National Basketball Association (NBA) Finals, starting from May 19.
The Thunder had three players in double figures. Durant bounced back from an 11-point performance in the previous game and led the way with a game-high 39 points and nine rebounds. Guard Westbrook had his first playoff triple-double, adding 14 points, 14 assist and 10 rebounds in the victory while the 22-year-old James Harden came off the bench with 17 points and four rebounds.
Durant appreciated the contribution of his teammates in his sizzling performance and said, "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 going to happen."
Mike Conley was the top-scorer for the Grizzlies with 18 points, six assists, and five rebounds while Zach Randolph finished with points and 10 rebounds. O.J. Mayo came off the bench to score 14 points in the defeat.
First Quarter
The Grizzlies opened the first quarter with a 13-8 run to take initial lead. The Thunder however struck back with a 13-4 spurt, taking a 21-17 lead into the second.
Second Quarter
OKC continued to play offensively and widened their lead to 40-29 with 02:02 to go in the second quarter. Durant scored 18 of his 39 points in the first half as Thunder carried a 42-34 lead into the locker room.
Third Quarter
Trailing by eight points at the halftime, Memphis came out strong in the third quarter and went on a 10-6 spurt to cut the deficit to four, with 07:29 remaining in the quarter. Durant was in no mood to slow down though and paced the Thunder with 13 points in the third as OKC managed to take a 72-58 advantage into the fourth.
Fourth Quarter
Leading by 14 points after three quarters, Oklahoma City allowed the Grizzlies to make a push late, before hanging on to lock the series.
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