NBA PLAYOFFS

Grizzlies survive Thunder rally

MEMPHIS - The Grizzlies know they have to stop blowing fourth-quarter leads. The needed corrections are much easier for Memphis after consecutive overtime victories.

Mike Conley scored five of his 20 points in overtime, and the Grizzlies beat the Oklahoma City Thunder 98-95 Thursday night to take a 2-1 lead in their first-round NBA Western Conference series.

“Obviously, we’re happy with the win but disappointed at the way we handled that last quarter,” Conley said. “We knew they were going to make runs. We knew they’d keep fighting because that’s what they do, and it’s the playoffs.They’re going to make runs. They’re going to make plays. They have two of the best players in the league.”

Still, the Grizzlies won their second consecutive overtime game, this time after leading by 17 points before going cold for most of the final 7:43 of regulation. Courtney Lee clinched the victory, hitting three of four free throws in the final 10.9 seconds of overtime.

Game 4 is Saturday night in Memphis. The Thunder, who had the NBA’s second-best record in the regular season, have to figure out how to shoot better against the team that ousted them in the conference semifinals in five games last year.

“We just got to stay together, and we will do that,” Oklahoma City Coach Scott Brooks said. “We’re downright now in the series 1-2, but just got to focus all of our attention after tomorrow’s review of the film together as a group and take it all to the next game and do our best to tie it up and take it home 2-2.”

NBA scoring champion Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook each scored 30 points for the Thunder, who even got another four-point play in the final minute to force overtime. This time, it was Westbrook’s turn with 26.6 seconds left.

But Durant missed all eight three-point attempts and was 10 of 27. Westbrook was 9 of 26, though he grabbed 13 rebounds. The Thunder hit 3 of 12 overall in overtime.

“Kevin is really prideful,” Brooks said. “He loves what he does and loves doing it with the guys that he’s playing with. He was frustrated a few times with himself missing shots he normally makes in his sleep.”

Durant said the Thunder have to get easier shots and will figure it out Saturday.

“Personally, I think we missed a lot of good looks, some open threes, some layins, some I wish I could take back,” Durant said.

Zach Randolph scored 16 points and had 10 rebounds for Memphis, which now has won 15 consecutive at home.

Tony Allen, who scored 16 points for Memphis, gave the Thunder one final chance at an improbable play to keep the game alive. After Lee split his free throws with 1.7 seconds left, Westbrook was racing up the right sideline trying to get a shot off before the buzzer.

Allen tripped Westbrook, sending him to the line for three attempts. Westbrook hit the first, missed the second and then clanked the third off the rim on purpose. But Ed Davis tipped away the ball to seal the victory for Memphis.

Marc Gasol scored 14 points for Memphis. Beno Udrih added 12 points, and Lee finished with 10.

Serge Ibaka had 12 points for the Thunder, which went5 of 28 beyond the arc.

The Thunder trailed 81-64 in the fourth quarter. Then they scored 17 consecutive with Westbrook’s three-pointer in the left corner tying it up with 57.3 seconds left, and setting up another thrilling finish between these teams.

Memphis couldn’t protect its lead by going completely cold after a hook shot by Kosta Koufos with 7:43 left. The Grizzlies didn’t score again until Allen’s baseline dunk with 57.3 seconds to go. He then scored on a layup after stealing the ball from Westbrook for an 85-81 lead.

But Westbrook made up for his turnover on the next trip down the court. He hit a three-pointer and dropped to the floor on a hard foul by Allen. His free throw tied it 85-85 with 26.6 seconds left.

Memphis tried to hold for the late shot, but Conley’s one-handed layup clanked twice on the rim before rolling off. Durant’s three-pointer for the victory missed harmlessly off the backboard, sending the teams into their second consecutive overtime.

In overtime, the Thunder took their first lead since 9-8 on a three-point play by Durant for an 88-85 lead.

At a glance All times Central

THURSDAY’S GAMES

Atlanta 98, Indiana 85

Atlanta leads series 2-1

Memphis 98, Oklahoma City 95, OT

Memphis leads series 2-1

LA Clippers at Golden State, (n)

Series tied 1-1

TODAY’S GAMES Toronto at Brooklyn, 6 p.m.

Series tied 1-1

Chicago at Washington, 7 p.m.

Washington leads series 2-0

Houston at Portland, 9:30 p.m.

Portland leads series 2-0

Sports, Pages 21 on 04/25/2014

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