Thunder Strikes, OKC Takes Game 5
In the two previous games in the best-of-seven series between the Thunder and Grizzlies, there were 4 overtime periods combined. There was nothing close about Wednesday night's game, as Oklahoma City put together the most dominant game of the series, defeating Memphis 99-72. OKC now leads the series 3-2. Here is more from the AP and espn.com.
Kevin Durant scored 19 points, reserve Daequan Cook added 18 and the Oklahoma City Thunder followed their triple-overtime triumph with a 99-72 blowout of the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday night to take their first series lead in the Western Conference semifinals.
By the end, Durant was wearing one of the same white Thunder T-shirts as the sellout crowd and was standing on the sidelines directing the lineup of reserves that got to play in garbage time.
The Grizzlies looked completely flat. The long, emotionally draining Game 4 seemed to have an effect on Memphis, and in particular, their best player Zach Randolph. Zach had been a beast in this series,averaging 26 points and 14 rebounds in the first 4 games. Last night, he finished with 9 points and 7 rebounds.
"It's just frustrating," said an upset Randolph in postgame. "We're better than that. We didn't show our best tonight."
Randolph is right. The tenacious defense and imposing physicality fans have grown accustedom to seeing from the Grizz was absent in Game 5. Their offense was out of synch as well, shooting a season-worst 36 percent from the field.
Game 6 now moves to Memphis. Tip-off on Friday is set for 8:00.
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