OKC Thunder goes the distance with the Grizzlies in triple overtime for a 133-123 victory

Russell Westbrook(0) drives strong to the lane for
2 of his 40 points. He lead the Thunder to a thrilling
triple overtime victory over the Memphis Grizzlies
133-123 (AP Photo/Lance Murphey).

SoSportz.com- The fans were rowdy and behind their team. With all the devastation that's going on in Memphis, basketball allows the residence of Memphis to take their minds off of the floods. Sadly, The Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the Memphis Grizzlies in a triple overtime thriller 133-123 to tie the series at 2-2.

Memphis started off hot in the first half taking a 18 point lead at one point. In NBA fashion, the Thunder made their run and closed the gap to four before halftime with two made free throws by James Harden.

In the second half, the Thunder caught on fire with Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant leading the way taking a ten point lead.  The Grizzlies clawed their way back to get to a three point deficit with 1:12 left in regulation. As time dwindled away it looked as thought OKC was going to get the victory until Mike Conley put up a long three and hit nothing but the bottom of the nets to send the game into overtime.

The first overtime went back and forth with OKC leading the way. Down by three with 9.4 seconds left, the Grizzlies Greivis Vasquez put up a desperation three pointer. It seems as though it took forever, but the shot went in to send the game to a second overtime.

Both teams are tired and it's all heart at this point. Both teams are still battling and continuing with physical play. The lead exchanged throughout the second overtime eventually leading to a missed buzzer beater by Westbrook.

Guys are starting to bend over and you can see the fatigue setting in at the beginning of the third overtime. Durant worked his magic and scored 7 points in this last overtime ending the game with a smooth crossover and a fadeaway jump shot on Shane Battier.

Westbrook finished the game with 40 points and Durant scored 35.  The Grizzlies got another good game from their big men with Zach Randolph scoring 34 points and 16 rebounds while Marc Gasol finished with 26 points and 21 rebounds. Game 5 will be back in Oklahoma wednesday night. Can OKC put the nail in the coffin with a victory? Stay tuned.


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Mavericks advance to the Western Conference Finals by embarrassing the Lakers 122-86.

Jason Terry celebrates after hitting another 3-pointer. He went 9 for 10 behind the arc as the Mavericks swept the Lakers
 to advance to the Western Conference Finals.   photo taken by Louis DeLuca/Dallas Morning News

SoSportz.com- Down 3-0 to the Dallas Mavericks, Kobe Bryant felt like the Lakers still had a chance to win the series. He was dead wrong. The Mavs embarrassed the Lakers and ended Phil Jackson's career with a 122-86 thrashing. They put an end to the Lakers dynasty in fashion.

Jason Terry caught fire shooting 11 of 14 from the field and hitting 9 of 10 three pointers. He finished the game with 32 points and 4 assists and was very thankful for having a good shooting night. "This was a great night. I'm very thankful that I had a hot hand" said Terry. 

The business like Lakers lost their composure towards the end when Lamar Odom put a forearm in Dirk Nowitzki's chest and Andrew Bynum gave Jose Barea a cheap shot to the ribs which resulted in both players being ejected from the game.

Will there be a shake-up to the Lakers roster next season? Are the rumors true about Dwight Howard aka Superman becoming a Laker? Will Pau Gasol be wearing purple and gold again?  One thing we know for sure is that the Lakers were swept 4-0 and it will be a long off-season for the organization. The Mavs now awaits the winner of the Memphis Grizzlies and OKC Thunder series. They will be well rested, ready, and hungry for either team.

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