MEMPHIS, (Reuters) – The Memphis Grizzlies recovered from a dismal first half to beat the Oklahoma City Thunder 95-83 and force a Game Seven in their NBA Western Conference semi-final series.
The eighth seeded Grizzlies erased a 10-point half-time deficit with a stifling defense and outscored the Thunder 51-29 in the second half to the delight of the sellout crowd at the FedEx Forum.
“We talked about finishing period,” Grizzlies coach Lionel Hollins told reporters.
“Finishing at the baskets. Finishing our defensive possessions with rebounds. Finishing our offensive possessions with making a basket.
“You know we missed a lot layups last game and in the first half of this game, and then in the second half we got it going. It’s always about finishing.”
Zach Randolph scored 20 of his game-high 30 points in the second half and pulled down 13 rebounds to lead the Grizzlies. O.J. Mayo, making his first start of the playoffs, scored 16 points and Mike Conley added 11.
Shane Battier was tasked with shutting down Oklahoma City’s Kevin Durant and held the NBA’s leading scorer to just 11 points on 3-for-14 shooting.
“It was frustrating to go out there and prepare so hard and not play as hard as I wanted to,” Durant said.
“But I have to stay positive. My team mates always encourage me, so I feel good about that. I just have to get back to work tomorrow. It’s going to be a tough Game Seven at our place, so I’m looking forward to it.”
The Thunder started quickly jumping to an 11-6 lead led by Durant’s six points before picking up his second foul and leaving the game just 5:30 into the first quarter.
With Durant on the bench the Grizzlies pushed back with a 17-10 run to close the first quarter.
Oklahoma City regained their form in the second quarter behind Russell Westbrook, who led the Thunder with 27 points in the game, and James Harden.
Harden launched back-to-back three pointers to push the Thunder’s lead to 52-39 before Battier connected on a three-point basket as time ran out in the first half to trim the deficit to 10 points.
The winner of today’s decider in Oklahoma City will face the Dallas Mavericks, who swept the defending NBA champion LA Lakers, in the best-of-seven Western Conference finals series.
