Despite 23 points and 11 rebounds from Marc Gasol, the Grizzlies lost Game 4, 92-89 in overtime, tying the series at two games apiece. Mike Conley scored 14 points and dished out 10 assists and Tony Allen recorded 14 points and 13 rebounds. Zach Randolph added 11 points and seven rebounds. NBA recap | Box Score
Highlights
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Key Stat of the Night
- In the last two games, Durant and Westbrook are just 31-for-100...Coming into the game, Miller was shooting just 27.3 percent and averaging five points a game. Tuesday, he was 6-for-11 overall and 5-for-8 from three.
Photo Galleries
Key Run of the Night
- The Thunder had chance after chance to take control of the game but never could, so that led to several twists and turns. After rallying to take the lead in the fourth quarter, Memphis scored nine of the next 12 points. And then in overtime Miller hit consecutive threes to give the Grizzlies a cushion. But the final twist came with 27 seconds left in overtime and Durant at the free-throw line shooting two. After he hit the first free throw, lead official Joe Crawford ran up to Durant and grabbed the ball from him. Crawford then ran over to the scorer's table to make sure five fouls were being shown for each team on the scoreboard. The sudden move seemed to rattle Durant a little and he missed the second free throw which would have tied the game.
Game Notes
- The Thunder and Grizzlies played their fourth straight overtime game tonight, the first time in NBA history teams have played four consecutive playoff overtime games.
- Miller led the Grizzlies with 21 points off the bench.
- Memphis had three other players in double figures, Zach Randolph with 20 points and 10 rebounds, Conley with 17 and Gasol added 11 points and 15 rebounds.
- Memphis started the game 5-for-6 (83.3 percent)
Postgame Interviews
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Team Quotes
MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES HEAD COACH DAVE JOERGER
Opening Statement:
“Very proud of our guys, they just kept coming, coming and coming. We kept taking shots, tough shots. My hats off to them, they made some incredible plays, over and over and over. They put themselves in the position, I don’t know how many times. Both teams, guys made great plays. I thought that tonight, each guy had their own moments. Zach [Randolph] was aggressive again and started the game very well. I could go down the list. Mike Miller stepping up, making some big shots when we were tittering after we have a two point led with six seconds left or eight seconds to go; he comes up and knocks in a shot and really gave us a shot and a lot of confidence.”
Defensively on OKC three-pointers
“When they come out made six of their first seven, you certainty get concerned. The problem with them and there three’s is that they can come at any time and they can make three in a row and then they’re never out of the game.”
On fourth quarter offense:
“Yeah we had a nice flow, we moved the basketball and pushed up and down the floor. With six minutes left in the game, we said we’ve got to sprint to the finish and that means we have to get up and down the floor offensively and put them on the move. Which I thought we did a good job on most of the game and we had gotten slow and then we got shots at the end of the clock. I thought we finished the last six minutes very well.”
MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES GUARD MIKE CONLEY:
On three successful overtimes:
“We’re a team that is able to bounce back from adversity. We’ve had a lot of tough plays. Especially mine at the end of regulation for us to still come back and compete and stay focused in overtime. It just says a lot about the resiliency of this team and the focus level.”
On the blown 20 point lead:
“Well we were moving the ball very well in getting that 20-point lead. Everybody was touching it. We were all in sync. We were getting stops when we needed them. Rebounding the ball was big. I think when we get rebounds we’re able to push the ball, we’re able to get out to bigger leads. But just like every game this series, it seems like they find a way, they come back, they getting it going in their pace, they get stops, get out in transition and then we got a game.”
MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES GUARD TONY ALLEN
On having to play another overtime
“All five guys understand it’s another part of the game to be played, and playing hard and playing together down the stretch was big. Mike [Miller] hit two big 3’s. Mike Conley was the floor generator. Zach [Randolph] and Marc [Gasol] kept them active on the glass. We all play hard and we play together, and I like I’ve said if we just keep believing. We’re a confident group.”
On importance of taking the 3-2 series lead
“We’re just trying to focus on each 48 minutes as they approach us. Value each possession. We’re going back to the ‘Grind House,’ and it’s going to be pumping. We need to keep our adrenaline at even keel and just understand that we need to play hard and play together, and stick to the things that have been effective for us. If we can do that for 48 minutes, I like our chances.”
MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES CENTER MARC GASOL
On Zach Randolph’s offense early in the game:
“He was efficient. He was making shots. He felt confident. He was aggressive, and that always goes well for us.”
On having series lead going back to Memphis
“We know that the FedEx is going to be jumping, and we’re going to be excited. We have to come out ready and we have to play the way we’re supposed to play. We know what they’re going to do. They know what we’re going to do. Once again, it’s going to come down to executing and being disciplined.”
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