Grizzlies Vs Thunder Recap: Heavy Showers with a Chance of Three
By Nir Regev
Nov 7, 2014; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Mike Conley (11) handles the ball against Oklahoma City Thunder guard Reggie Jackson (15) during the second quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Heavy Showers with a Chance of Three
Memphis escaped the rain but got soaked. Make no mistake, the Grizzlies were inches away from losing the streak. And their pride. This OKC Thunder team without a Durant or Westbrook challenged them to the limit. The forecast was Memphis win, and they came through. However, the Grizzlies should review game tape of this downpour for a long time.
It was a three point fest for Serge Ibaka and Reggie Jackson who hit 8 threes between them. This Grizzlies squad might have weathered the storm, but they also opened the tide. Their weak point at stopping the three was exposed tonight. Marc Gasol was held down to 2 points for the first half, finishing with 8 points. Glaring, not because scoring droughts don’t happen. But because Gasol has been playing at an absolute elite pace. Credit has to go to the Thunder defense as the culprit.
Mike Conley saved the streak tonight, hitting a three pointer with 38.3 seconds left in the game. Then with 2.4 seconds remaining. Game on the line. Ibaka had one more shot to rescue the Thunder. He chose to attempt a season dagger. One potentially demoralizing three pointer that would have given the Thunder the lead. A lead perhaps for the entire 2014-2015 season. Luckily, the dice rolled in the Grizzlies favor tonight. Crisis averted. For now.. Will the storm turn into a hurricane when Durant and Westbrook return?
Schools to Remain Open
The Grizzlies streak will live on tonight. Unbeaten. 6 in a row in the wild, wild west. The Grizzlies are leaving Chesapeake Energy Arena with a W and homework to do. No time to get comfortable. It won’t be long before the Thunder visit the Memphis school yard at the Fedex Forum. Storm over, but schools will remain open. No days off in Tennessee. The Grizzlies will need a stronger umbrella next time.
The high scorer for the night was Mike Conley who posted up 20 points, 5 assists, 3 rebounds and most importantly.. The game winner. Finishing second was Courtney Lee with a fiery 17 points on 5-8 shooting. Lee hit three daggers tonight from behind the three point line.
Luck in the Muck
The Grizzlies hit 14 of 17 free throws tonight. Thunder made 3 of 11 free throws. That is work done in practice and training camp right there. Making your own luck. Those free throws were the difference between a close game and a loss. Every opportunity at the charity stripe counts.
Courtney Lee actually missed one free throw with a few seconds left in the game. You better believe he’ll be thinking about that one tomorrow, even if he was 4-5 overall. There’s just something about icing those clutch free throws when they count the most. Chauncey Billups style. At the end of the day though, Ibaka missed that final three point shot. That’s what we call Luck in the Muck my friends!
Player of the Game
Mike Conley
Fantasy Stat Dish
Points Leader: Mike Conley – 20 points
Rebound Leader: Marc Gasol – 9 rebounds
Assists Leader: Mike Conley – 5 assists
Steals Leader: Tony Allen – 4 steals
Blocks Leader: Marc Gasol – 3 blocks
Three Point Shots Made Leader: Courtney Lee / Mike Conley (Tie) – 3 three pointers
Memphis Grizzlies Post Game Record
6-0