The Memphis Grizzlies evened the series with the Oklahoma City Thunder at one game apiece with a 111-105 win Monday night, but blame for the loss cannot be placed on Thunder star Kevin Durant.
Durant poured in a game-high 36 points against the defensive-minded Grizzlies, four of which came on the most impressive shot of the NBA playoffs thus far.
With Memphis leading 98-93 and less than 20 seconds remaining in regulation, Durant received a pass from Russell Westbook in the corner, turned and lofted up a improbable, fall-away 3-pointer while absorbing a foul from Grizzlies big man Marc Gasol.
Durant sank the ensuing free throw to complete the 4-point play, and Kendrick Perkins converted a buzzer-beating layup off a missed Westbrook 3-pointer to send the game into overtime.
That’s where the Thunder’s luck ran out, though, as the Grizzlies outscored them 12-6 in the extra session to seal the win.
The Western Conference quarterfinal series now shifts to Memphis for Game 3 on Thursday.
