I still don’t know how it happened. I still can’t believe it. Somehow, the Grizzlies came back from 16 points down in the third quarter to beat the Oklahoma City Thunder in overtime 101-93. Forward Zach Randolph poured in 21 points and 21 rebounds to lead Memphis to the win in front of a sold FedEx Grindhouse crowd.
In what the ESPN announcers called the most important game in franchise history, the Grizz played terrible basketball for three and a half quarters. Only in the late third and fourth quarters did the Grizzlies turn it on and play like they have all season. Memphis outscored the Thunder 38-17 in the fourth quarter and overtime to seal the win and grab a 2-1 series lead.
The Grizzlies got some help from Thunder stars Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook, who combined to shoot 17-46 (37%) from the field. While Durant wasn’t assertive enough in calling for the basketball, Westbrook took too many contested shots. A 19% shooting night from beyond the arc didn’t help the Thunder either.
I can spit stats and figures all day, but no numbers will quantify how amazing the comeback was. I watched the game with a few other fans and we agreed in the middle of the third quarter that the Grizzlies were toast and would have to come back in Game 4. Then the comeback happened. A few baskets by OJ here and an unbelievable dunk (watch it here) by Sam Young there and the Grizzlies were back in the game. Late in the fourth quarter and in overtime, Memphis flat out dominated.
Game 4 is at the Grindhouse again. The Grizzlies will have a chance to take a 3-1 lead in the series. It will be the first Grizz playoff game I’ve ever attended. I can’t wait.
Heart, Grit, Grind,
Owen
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