NBA Playoffs - Durant, Westbrook carry OKC to Round 2
By Homer D. Sayson
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 05 May 2014
CHICAGO -- The Oklahoma City Thunder blew out the Memphis Grizzlies in Game 7 of their Western Conference quarterfinals Saturday, thanks to superstars Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook.
Durant drilled all five of his 3s for 33 points while Westbrook finished with a triple-double -- 27 points, 10 rebounds and 16 assists --- and the Thunder took care of business, 120-109, at the Chesapeake Energy Arena.
With their 4-3 series win, OKC is off to Round 2 where they will face the Los Angeles Clippers in another 7-game showdown. Games 1 and 2 of that match-up will play out at the Chesapeake Energy Arena beginning in a few days.
"I was finally able to get out of my own way tonight. I was thinking too much, worried about what you guys (media) were saying about me. I just relaxed and played my game. You guys motivated me a little, even though I told you you didn't," Durant said during his post game press conference on NBA TV.
After struggling early against the physical Grizzlies, the Oklahoman newspaper bannered a headline calling Durant "Mr. Unreliable."
Obviously, Durant, this year's leading MVP candidate, was extremely reliable in Game 7, when all the money was on the table.
Memphis opened the first quarter on a tear and led 36-27. But the Thunder fired back with a 77-55 run spanning the second and third quarters to gain a stranglehold of the deciding Game 7.
Reggie Jackson and Caron Butler combined for 31 points for the Thunder, who converted 42 of 69 field goals (60.9 percent) and 11 of 19 threes (57.9 percent). OKC also sank 25 of 30 free throws.
Marc Gasol was the high point man for the Grizzlies with 24, Mike Conley struggled with a hamstring injury but still finished with 20 and 9 assists, and Tony Allen contributed 15. Beno Udrih added 12 and Memphis went down after shooting just 37 of 83 form the field (44.6 percent) and 5-of-17 from 3-point country (29.4 percent). (Homer D. Sayson)
Photo: Kevin Durant lays in 2 of his 33 to lift the thunder past the Grizzlies in Game 7 of their WEst quarterfinals at the Chesapeake Energy Arena.
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