The Oklahoma City Thunder and Memphis Grizzlies meet Wednesday night in FedEx Forum, the site of their postseason meeting last year that was undoubtedly the best game of the playoffs.
The Grizzlies held a 2-1 lead in the Western Conference semifinals after climbing out of a 16-point hole to win Game 3 in overtime. In Game 4, The Thunder desperately needed a win to reclaim home-court advantage but fell behind by 18 points in the second quarter.
OKC stormed back and held a 10-point lead in the fourth quarter before Memphis rallied to force overtime on Mike Conley’s 3-pointer with three seconds left. Then the Grizzlies forced a second OT when Greivis Vasquez sank a 3-pointer with nine seconds to go.
OKC’s Russell Westbrook, who scored 40 points, made a jumper with 30 seconds remaining to force a third OT, where Memphis appeared to give in to exhaustion. The Thunder pulled away for a 133-123 win to even the series, which they eventually won in seven games.
If you’ve forgotten the specifics, here’s an extended highlight package.
The stats were staggering. Kevin Durant played 57 minutes and made 16-of-18 free throws. James Harden played 49 minutes off the bench. Zach Randolph played 56 minutes and was 16-of-17 from the line, collecting 34 points and 16 boards. Marc Gasol played 57 minutes and had 26 points and 21 rebounds.
Three of the last nine meetings between the teams have gone to overtime. This should be another good one, with the Grizzlies (0-1) trying to grab their first win in their home opener and the Thunder (2-0) looking to move up in our Power Rankings.
OKC-Memphis is the opener of an NBA TV doubleheader capped by New York-Golden State. Other offerings on League Pass – which is free through next weekend – are winless Boston at New Orleans and the LA Clippers facing a test in San Antonio.
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