Durant gathers 36; Thunder rout Grizzlies, pressure game 7
Kevin Durant firmly insisted the Thunder encountering elimination was all the inspiration he needed.
Thanks to the NBA's finest scorer, the Thunder remain alive and could finish off the Memphis Grizzlies back in Oklahoma City.
Durant racked up 36 points to burst out of a depression, and the Thunder directed the Grizzlies 104-84 on Thursday evening to require a choosing seventh game in the first-round Western Seminar collection. His performance came on a day where the hometown newspaper doubted his struggles with a headline calling him "Mr. Unreliable.".
"We needed to gain this video game," Durant mentioned. "That's even more motivation in comparison to anything, so our group reacted. We've got to do an even better work in Video game 7.".
Russell Westbrook included 25 factors for the Thunder, who have not been done away with in the preliminary of the playoffs given that 2010. They took control early with Durant scoring 14 factors in the initially quarter, led by 15 at halftime and never ever let Memphis acquire that close anymore in the second half in the first video game in the series that didn't go to overtime because the opener.
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"You do not get to his level as an NBA gamer and a fantastic gamer as he is to have other people inspire you," Thunder instructor Scott Brooks mentioned. "He's self-motivated. He's a tremendous youngster and does everything for his group, for our organization. We're proud of him since he gives every little thing he has. That was the only focus for tonight's game.".
Durant additionally had 10 rebounds and made 14 of 15 free throws. Reggie Jackson had 16 points off the bench for the Thunder, that will play host to Game 7 on Saturday night.
Grizzlies safeguard Tony Allen shared the Thunder just wanted the video game much more and called the loss embarrassing before a sellout group.
"Now, we've fired ourselves in the foot, and we have to go to a hostile setting now and essentially show where our heart goes to," Allen said.
Marc Gasol had 17 factors and Zach Randolph 16 for Memphis. Guard Mike Conley strained his best hamstring, briefly returned and left completely with 8:48 left. Conley went down in the 3rd quarter near midcourt drooling when Kendrick Perkins reached in for a steal. The Memphis guard returned temporarily, however Conley was hopping visibly.
With the Thunder responsible, Conley went to the closet area again and didn't return.
Nick Calathes currently is put on hold for breaking the NBA's anti-drug policy, leaving Memphis with only Beno Udrih at point player. Memphis coach Dave Joerger said Udrih will certainly play a great deal of mins if Conley can not. Conley claimed he will be re-evaluated Friday and receive as much treatment as possible just before tipoff Sunday.
"I intend on having fun," Conley stated.
Durant had to respond to inquiries after the shootaround Thursday about that heading in The Oklahoman paper. Durant said he had not a problem with the headline and that he simply should hit gos and be much more hostile.
Grinning just before tipoff, Durant did merely that. The man which led the NBA racking up 32 factors per video game during the normal season establisheded by attacking 5 of his first seven and finished 11 for 23 from the floor. He continued to struggle outside the arc where he missed all 6 of his efforts.
The Grizzlies had a possibility to advance to their third semifinal in 4 years on their own flooring. Yet they couldn't shoot well or match the Thunder's strength with a sloppy efficiency facing a sellout group that attempted to stimulate the Grizzlies. Oklahoma City outrebounded Memphis 47-36 and conveniently outshot them 49.3 percent (37 of 75) to 37.3 percent (31 of 83).
"Our companied know one way or another our shots would certainly drop," Brooks shared.
Brooks additionally benched Thabo Sefolosha and began Caron Servant.
"This is why you play the game to confirm doubters wrong, and hardship builds personality," Head servant stated. "This team has a sturdy personality and a will.".
Memphis last led 6-4. A group that prospers off protection, the Grizzlies could not tear down gos also when they managed to get successive stops.
The Grizzlies got to 42-37 with 3:08 left on a take and fast-break layup by Conley. The Thunder finished the one-half with a 14-4 run for a 56-41 lead. The Grizzlies missed their initial six gos to established the third quarter, completing any sort of hopes of a resurgence.
James Johnson scored 15 factors off the bench for Memphis, and Allen included 13.
