MEMPHIS — The Oklahoma City Thunder almost had a repeat Monday.
They held on in triple-overtime 133-123 to draw even at 2 and reclaim home-court advantage. Game 5 is Wednesday in Oklahoma City.
BOX SCORE: Thunder 133, Grizzlies 123 (3OT)
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"We chipped away," Thunder coach Scott Brooks said. "They made some incredible shots. That wasn't bad execution down the stretch. …That's what NBA players do."
Trailing 90-80 with 5:25 left, the Grizzlies closed with a 16-6 run that was punctuated by a three-pointer by point guard Mike Conley with less than four seconds remaining to tie the score at 96.
After Conley and O.J. Mayo fouled out during the first overtime, rookie Greivis Vasquez stepped in and hit a leaning, desperation three-pointer to tie it at 109 and force a second overtime.
The Thunder's legs, however, were more lively in the end. They went on a 12-2 run in the last 3:55 of the third extra period to pull away.
Russell Westbrook led all scores with 40 points on 15-for-33 shooting. Kevin Durant had 35 points, 16 coming at the free throw line, 13 rebounds and four steals.
Just as important was the play of sixth man James Harden, who had 19 points, seven rebounds and seven assists. He made six three-pointers.
"It just became a matter of not having enough bullets as the game wore on," Memphis coach Lionel Hollins said. "Nobody wanted to lose."
The Grizzlies had dominated from the opening tip. They met the Durant out high with double-teams to force the ball out of his hands.
The strategy worked because the Thunder failed to knock down open shots. They were 6-for-16 from the field in the first quarter — seven fewer shot attempts than Memphis — and committed seven turnovers.
It grew to 17 with Grizzlies post players Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph combining for 29 points and nine rebounds in the first half.
They weren't as effective in the second half as Oklahoma City countered with Kendrick Perkins, Nick Collison and Nazr Mohammed to pound them in the paint and forced the Grizzlies' duo into 11 turnovers.christian louboutin boots
Randolph had a team-high 34 points but shot only 9-for-25 from the field. Sixteen of his points came on free throws and he also had 16 rebounds.
Gasol finished with 26 points and a game-high 21 rebounds.
"This is one of the most physical series I've ever been apart of," Perkins said. "I've been in some battles with (Orlando Magic center) Dwight Howard but this is one of the most physical ones."
Brooks went to a smaller lineup to exploit their footspeed advantage vs. Gasol and Randolph on defense.
Durant, Westbrook and James Harden got to the rim for Oklahoma City. They combined for 18 made free throws by halftime and trimmed the deficit to 53-49. They made 36 free throws for the game.
"We let them get to the free throw line too much. It slowed the game down," Conley said. "Got the paced kind of messed up."
The Thunder even at 61 on a jumper by Westbrook midway through the third quarter and held firm when Mayo responded with a three-pointer to put the Grizzlies back on top.
Westbrook, who had 18 turnovers in the first three games, only had three as he played more under control and the Thunder made the extra pass to get higher-percentage shots as they went 45.3% from the field and Memphis hit only 36%.
"We needed his scoring," Brooks said of Westbrook. "We needed his toughness on the defensive end. We needed his decision-making. …Kevin leads the team in scoring because Russell finds him."
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