The first game of the Western conference semifinals between the Memphis Grizzlies and the Oklahoma City Thunder went down to the wire and while Game 2 was not as close, it was just as exciting as Kevin Durant and Mike Conley went head to head as Memphis came out on top 99-93 on Tuesday night.
The two teams played tough and a near triple double from Kevin Durant was not enough for OKC, as the Grizzlies were able to steal a game on the road to tie the series up at 1-1. Conley eas fantastic during the game while scoring 26 points, grabbing 10 rebounds and dishing nine assists, while Durant put up a similar line of 36 points, 11 rebounds and nine assists. The two players were the best on the floor and the play by Durant showed that he can make up for Russell Westbrook's production.
The Thunder had been able to do a good job of playing without Westbrook, but his absence was felt on Tuesday night at the end of the game, as Durant had to bring the ball up mostly instead of finding his shot, leaving him to get mobbed by defenders. Westbrook is another scoring option and an elite passer, making the defense come to him and away from Durant, but without him on the floor it falls to Durant more than before. The Thunder have dealt with adversity before, but with the next two games in Memphis, there is a chance the series could get away from them.
Conley hit a huge three with just under two minutes left to give the Grizzlies the lead for good and the team scored 10 straight points to take the win and now can head home with momentum. Marc Gasol was tough inside all game on Kendrick Perkins and Conley now has established himself as the guy that can take the big shots at the end of the game now that Rudy Gay is gone. Conley has been able to match up with Chris Paul in the first round and now he is the clear top point guard in the series with Westbrook out and has put himself in the conversation for best in the league.
The New York Knicks demolished the Pacers at home at MSG after losing Game 1 to tie up the series at 1-1 and Carmelo Anthony was fantastic, scoring 32 points and grabbing nine rebounds, while Indiana had no answers. The team pulled away in the fourth quarter, as the Knicks held the Pacers to just 13 points, one of their lowest totals of the season. The game was a must win for the Knicks after losing Game 1 and the team now has the momentum as the series goes on the road for them to Indiana. Paul George led the Pacers with 20 points, while Roy Hibbert added 12 rebounds and George Hill had seven assists in the loss.