Kevin Durant converted a four-point play by hitting an improbable fallaway three-pointer in the closing seconds of regulation before the Thunder suffered a 111-105 overtime loss to the Grizzlies in Game 2 on Monday.
This miracle shot wound up coming in a losing effort, but it should be a staple of postseason highlight packages for months (years?) to come.
With a little under 20 seconds remaining in regulation and the Grizzlies leading 98-93, Oklahoma City set up from the left sideline. Durant inbounded to Russell Westbrook, who attempted to return the ball to Durant, only to have Tony Allen intervene with a deflection. Westbrook hustled to chase down the loose ball, though, and sent a quick flip pass to Durant, who was clearing to the left corner.
Durant caught the ball as Marc Gasol closed out to him, and he seemingly had already lost his balance by the time he received the pass. Regardless, Durant squared his shoulders to the hoop as he fell, launching up a three-pointer before falling into the first row of courtside seats.
The high-arcing shot looked like it had a chance when it left his hands, and Gasol was whistled for a foul shortly after the three-point attempt left Durant’s hands. The Chesapeake Energy Arena crowd went nuts when the shot swished in, and Durant stepped to the free-throw line to cut the Grizzlies’ lead to one by completing the four-point play. A video review confirmed that Durant had managed to keep his feet behind the three-point line during the attempt.
Although Oklahoma City forced overtime thanks to a Kendrick Perkins layup, Memphis regrouped to handily win the extra period.
Zach Randolph led the Grizzlies with a team-high 25 points (on 10-for-20 shooting), six rebounds and two assists. Mike Conley added 19 points (on 7-for-16 shooting), 12 assists and seven rebounds in the win.
Durant finished with a game-high 36 points (on 12-for-28 shooting), 11 rebounds, four assists and two blocks. Westbrook added 29 points (on 11-for-28 shooting), eight assists and seven rebounds in a losing effort.
Memphis, the West’s No. 7 seed, evened the series at one game apiece with Oklahoma City, the West’s No. 2 seed. Game 3 is set for the FedEx Forum in Memphis on Thursday.
Credit: Ben Golliver
With a little under 20 seconds remaining in regulation and the Grizzlies leading 98-93, Oklahoma City set up from the left sideline. Durant inbounded to Russell Westbrook, who attempted to return the ball to Durant, only to have Tony Allen intervene with a deflection. Westbrook hustled to chase down the loose ball, though, and sent a quick flip pass to Durant, who was clearing to the left corner.
Durant caught the ball as Marc Gasol closed out to him, and he seemingly had already lost his balance by the time he received the pass. Regardless, Durant squared his shoulders to the hoop as he fell, launching up a three-pointer before falling into the first row of courtside seats.
The high-arcing shot looked like it had a chance when it left his hands, and Gasol was whistled for a foul shortly after the three-point attempt left Durant’s hands. The Chesapeake Energy Arena crowd went nuts when the shot swished in, and Durant stepped to the free-throw line to cut the Grizzlies’ lead to one by completing the four-point play. A video review confirmed that Durant had managed to keep his feet behind the three-point line during the attempt.
Although Oklahoma City forced overtime thanks to a Kendrick Perkins layup, Memphis regrouped to handily win the extra period.
Zach Randolph led the Grizzlies with a team-high 25 points (on 10-for-20 shooting), six rebounds and two assists. Mike Conley added 19 points (on 7-for-16 shooting), 12 assists and seven rebounds in the win.
Durant finished with a game-high 36 points (on 12-for-28 shooting), 11 rebounds, four assists and two blocks. Westbrook added 29 points (on 11-for-28 shooting), eight assists and seven rebounds in a losing effort.
Memphis, the West’s No. 7 seed, evened the series at one game apiece with Oklahoma City, the West’s No. 2 seed. Game 3 is set for the FedEx Forum in Memphis on Thursday.
Credit: Ben Golliver
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