Thunder tie upstart Grizzlies with 111-102 win
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Memphis Grizzlies center Marc Gasol attempts to score in Game 2 of their second-round playoff series in Oklahoma City on Tuesday. Sue Ogrockl / Associated Press |
Zach Randolph had his way with the Oklahoma City Thunder to get the Memphis Grizzlies a victory in Game 1.
Game 2 was different from the very start.
Randolph's first shot got swatted by Serge Ibaka. His next two jumpers didn't find their target. Soon, the Thunder had the lead and never gave it back.
Kevin Durant scored 26 points and Oklahoma City clamped down on Randolph and frontcourt partner Marc Gasol to beat the Grizzlies 111-102 on Tuesday night to even the Western Conference semifinals.
"We did a great job of starting the game out with some big-time intensity," Durant said. "Everybody was physical.
"There was a lot of pushing and grabbing and holding from both teams, but that's the kind of game you like in the playoffs."
Randolph and Gasol combined for 54 points in Game 1, but barely managed half of that in the rematch. Randolph made just two of 13 shots and finished with 15 points and nine rebounds. Gasol was 3 for 9 and had 13 points and 10 boards.
"They attacked us and they were determined that they weren't going to let Marc and Zach beat them," Grizzlies forward Sam Young said. "They came out and every time Zach got the ball, they put so much pressure on them and contained him. Every time Marc got the ball, they made sure to bump him and pounded him and pounded him and it paid off."
Game 3 is on Saturday night in Memphis.
James Harden scored 21 points and fellow reserve Eric Maynor added 15 as Oklahoma City's bench held a 48-29 scoring edge. All-Star point guard Russell Westbrook scored 24.
Mike Conley scored 24 for Memphis, which got within six in the final minute after trailing 97-76 with 6 1/2 minutes left in the fourth quarter.
"It was a classic desperate team, more aggressive team," Memphis coach Lionel Hollins said. "I say the desperate team usually wins, and they were the desperate team in their play, which was a sense of urgency and aggressiveness.
"They came out and attacked."
Randolph, facing frequent double teams and even a triple team early on, never really got going. He and Gasol were a combined 7 for 7 in the first quarter of Game 1, but made just one of seven attempts this time while Oklahoma City got out to a 28-17 lead after the first quarter.
The Thunder would never trail after the opening 7 minutes.
