OKLAHOMA CITY - Kevin Durant bounced returning through his hardest playoff overall performance previously to report 39 points, Russell Westbrook acquired their first playoff triple-double as well as Oklahoma City Thunder leading-edge into the Western Conference finals with a 105-90 wining in the Memphis Grizzlies with Game 7 on Sunday.
Durant, that NBA scoring champion the recent two seasons, accompanied the actual lowest-scoring online game of his or her a couple of postseason shows together with one among his best. He very hot upward while in the second fraction after an amusing alternate along with his or her mother, place the actual Thunder in control late while in the third, then place that apart with a pair of two-handed slams inside fourth.
Westbrook, criticized during the particular playoffs pertaining to consuming a great number of shots, seemed to be at his or her all-around very best along with 14 points, partner finder their season-high together with 14 supports in addition to creating extra possessions with 10 rebounds.
Mike Conley directed Memphis by using 18 points, along with Zach Randolph had been restricted to an inefficient 17 points and 10 rebounds. Randolph averaged 28.3 items and 14.7 rebounds inside Grizzlies' three wins within the series, but manufactured simply just six involving 15 shots within Game 7.
Memphis produced the best postseason work with its background getting in no way even claimed a playoff game just before this year nevertheless couldn't turn into the primary No. 8 seed to arrive the West finals.
Lionel Hollins ripped that Grizzlies' starters having merely around 21/2 moments left, right after Durant hung within the rim in addition to yelled right after his minute dunk belonging to the ending minutes. Scott Brooks used with his up coming chance, with Durant comfortably boosting his / her right fist when he towards the sidelines using the sellout crowd place as well as roaring at it has the loudest.
Fans began chanting "We really want Dallas!" while in the remaining minute. The Thunder will become that Western Conference finals Tuesday evening contrary to the Mavericks, simply just down Interstate 35.
After Memphis trailed by way of as much as 11 late within the first half, Randolph contributed the Grizzlies back again inside third district in addition to Conley's 3-pointer cut the idea for you to 52-49 by using 4:52 left.
Durant supplied eight tips which includes a pair of 3-pointers while in a 14-2 reaction since the particular Thunder regained control. After his second 3, they leaped screaming to the opposite end of the court and also slapped hands and wrists together with past Oklahoma City gambler Desmond Mason, whom had been seated courtside.
Durant added a no cost throw after Hollins' technical foul, as well as the Thunder brought 66-51 together with 1:24 to go inside third.
Oklahoma City, which in turn have fought to hold onto overdue prospects throughout two overtime thrillers within Memphis, experienced not any problem shutting released the following one.
James Harden added in several 3-pointers and seventeen points intended for Oklahoma City, along with Nick Collison had twelve rebounds. O.J. Mayo scored 14 to get Memphis nonetheless would not present exactly the same level of room intended for Randolph as he or she have following getting in the particular beginning lineup inside Game 6.
It had been the primary Game 7 of the 2011 playoffs, as well as the initial from the career for Durant many additional gamers on two in the NBA's young, climbing teams.
Durant ended up hostile soon after scoring just 11 things on 3-for-14 capturing throughout Game 6. He put up eight pictures inside opening 1 / 4 although made solely two, with Memphis leading by simply as many as five inside quick going.
The Grizzlies next overlooked eighteen regarding 23 photos over a expand involving the midway points belonging to the first and subsequent quarters. The Thunder required benefits which includes a 13-4 manage to finish the first one fourth with a 21-17 advantage, after that extended their own head with wonder ignite within the second.
Arena photographic camera crews grabbed Durant's new mother growing the woman's fist in the air conditioning and breaking a leg with your girlfriend courtside seat during a timeout, along with the scoring champ got a remove with it from throughout the court. He came out in addition to struck a jumper inside the lane plus his very first 3-pointer out of the particular correct side by carrying out a 9-0 burst that will bought Oklahoma City it has the first double-digit guide at 33-23.
Durant had one more 3 plus a layup away a Westbrook alley-oop in order to bundle that guide up to eleven before Conley's 3-pointer received Memphis for you to 42-34 at halftime.
Notes: Home groups are generally 86-21 with Game 7s with NBA history, and 58-14 considering ABA-NBA merger ahead of the 1976-77 season. . The Thunder acquired been 5-8 in your own home upon Sundays inside typical months along with playoffs, as well as 30-4 with many other days. . Gary Payton possessed the simply not one but two other postseason triple-doubles within the Thunder's franchise history, online dating to be able to it's days to weeks around Seattle.
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