NBA Playoffs 2014, Grizzlies at Thunder final score: Oklahoma City hangs on 100-86, takes 1-0 series lead

Behind 33 points, eight rebounds and seven assists from Kevin Durant and 23 points, 10 rebounds and five assists from Russell Westbrook, the Oklahoma City Thunder held off a furious Memphis Grizzlies’ rally to earn a 100-86 victory and take a 1-0 series lead.

Entering Saturday night’s game, the road team had won the first three games of the 2014 postseason.

The Thunder tried quickly prove that was not going be the case on Saturday night. The Thunder jumped out to an 8-0 advantage, quickly pushed that lead to 23-10 and had a 56-34 lead at halftime.

The Grizzlies would not fold that easy. They scored the first eight points of the third quarter to cut the lead to 14 and didn’t stop there. They wound up scoring 25 of the quarter’s first 33 points to cut the lead to 64-59 with 3:48 to play in the quarter. In total, the Grizzlies outscored the Thunder 31-13 in the third and the Thunder took only a 69-65 lead into the final quarter.

With the Thunder leading by just three at 72-69, Caron Butler threw down a huge dunk. The Grizzlies answered with a Mike Miller three-pointer, but the Thunder went on a 13-1 run to once again take control of the game.  After rallying from such a huge deficit, having to do so again was too much to ask for from the Grizzlies.

Zach Randolph was the star for the Grizzlies, posting 21 points, 11 rebounds and three assists, but foul trouble kept him out for a large chunk of the decisive fourth quarter. Marc Gasol and Mike Conley scored 16 points apiece.

Serge Ibaka was excellent for the Thunder on both ends and finished with 17 points, nine rebounds and four blocks.

Game 2 is Monday at 8:00 pm EST and will be on TNT.

For more on the Grizzlies and Thunder, check out Beale Street Bears and Thunderous Intentions.