Greatest moment in each NBA franchise’s history

Memphis Grizzlies: Mike Conley forces OT vs. Thunder in 2011 Playoffs

The Memphis Grizzlies are still a relatively young NBA franchise as they were founded in Vancouver in just 1995. Despite the team’s success since making the move to Memphis, they haven’t had much to show for it. They have yet to make it to an NBA Finals and have yet to win a divisional title either. However, that doesn’t mean their short history is devoid of a few big moments.

The one that stands out despite what happened in the game and the series that moment occurred in happened in the second round of the 2011 NBA Playoffs. The Grizzlies had already shocked the NBA world in the first round by knocking off the top-seeded San Antonio Spurs from the eight-seed. They were then trying to upset yet another team in the upstart Oklahoma City Thunder.

Up 2-1 in the series and playing Game 4 in Memphis, the Grizzlies weren’t going to go down without a fight in the game. So when the Thunder led by three points with less than a minute remaining in the fourth quarter, it was time for Mike Conley to put Memphis on his shoulders. With just 3.5 seconds left on the clock, the Grizzlies point guard unleashed a beautiful triple from the top of the key that hit nothing but net as he tied the game to send it to overtime.

The game ultimately went to three overtimes, though it was won by the Thunder. However, that play by Conley was a microcosm of that 2011 team and the mentality of teams to come. Even when you count the Grizzlies out, they’re going to keep clawing and never die. That triple-overtime loss showed that and Conley’s shot still goes down as the Grizz’s greatest moment in my eyes.

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