Grizzlies force Game 7 on OKC Thunder

Not going down without a fight.

The surprising playoff run by the Memphis Grizzlies continues as they rallied back to force a rubber match against the OKC Thunder back at Oklahoma in a game that will decide who faces the well rested Dallas Mavericks in the West Finals after their 95-83 victory last night in front of the rowdy Memphis crowd.

Zach Randolph erupted for 30 points and 13 rebounds after struggling badly the previous games due to the smothering defense by the Thunder. The Grizzlies' game plan of starting OJ Mayo worked wonders for them as the spacing improved in the offensive end.

The leading scorer in the NBA Kevin Durant, was held to just 11 points, his lowest output since scoring six points in 8 minutes back in February 27 2009.

Russell Westbrook led OKC with 27 points but they relinquished a 54-41 lead just before halftime and got outscored 51-29 in the second half leading to this blown opportunity to close out the series.

Game 7 in Oklahoma will be the first Game 7 in the first round of the 2011 NBA Playoffs.

Thunder halt Grizzlies to even the series

Too much explosiveness.

The Oklahoma City Thunder clamped down on the Grizzlies' frontcourt and recieved a major lift from the bench to take a 111-102 victory to avenge their loss in the opener and tie the series at 1-1 Tuesday night in their homecourt at Oklahoma City.

Kevin Durant led the Thunder with 26 points and their bench tripled their Game 1 production led by James Harden with 21 to lead by as much as 21 points in the final quarter and hold off a late comeback attempt by the Grizzlies.

Game One hero Zach Randolph was limited to 15 points in a poor 2-13 shooting clip as he was bother all game long by the Thunder's double teaming defense. His performance in this game was a far cry from his 34 points in the opener.

Mike Conley scored 24 points and was a catalyst for the Grizzlies' late comeback aspiration, cutting a 21 point fourth quarter lead to just six in the final minute but the lead was just too big and they came up short.

Russell Westbrook also had a huge game for the Thunder as he scored 24 points and back-up point guard Eric Maynor added 15 markers. Power forward Serge Ibaka limped off the court with 2 minutes left in the game due to a leg injury and this could play a crucial factor as he is the main defender on Zach Randolph.

Despite the loss, the Grizz will head into Game 3 with the home court advantage after stealing the opening game on the road as both teams try to take the pivotal victory that would give the winner a 2-1 series lead.