Grizzlies level series with second-seeded Thunder

OKLAHOMA CITY — Zach Randolph scored 25 points to help Memphis defeat Oklahoma City 111-105 in overtime this morning (Singapore time) and tie their NBA first-round playoff series at one game apiece.

Mike Conley added 19 points and 12 assists for the Grizzlies, who executed their game plan perfectly and put themselves in position to take control of the series in Game 3 (Friday morning) in Memphis.

The Thunder pushed the pace through most of their 100-86 victory in Game 1, but the Grizzlies successfully slowed the tempo in Game 2 and limited Oklahoma City’s fast-break opportunities.

The Thunder’s stars put up big numbers, but they worked for everything they got. Kevin Durant had 36 points and 11 rebounds, but he made just 12 of 28 shots and had just eight points at halftime and 16 through the first three quarters. Russell Westbrook scored 29 points, but he made just 11 of 28 shots. Serge Ibaka added 15 points and 11 rebounds for the Thunder, who shot just under 40 per cent from the field.

Randolph’s layup with 26 seconds left in overtime put the Grizzlies up by two. Ibaka travelled, giving the ball back to the Grizzlies.

Courtney Lee made two free throws for Memphis to make it a four-point game. Durant missed a 3-pointer and Randolph made two free throws with nine seconds left to put the game out of reach and give Memphis coach Dave Joerger his first playoff win as a head coach.

Over in Los Angeles, the Clippers levelled their series with the Golden State Warriors at 1-1 after leading all the way for a convincing 138-98 home victory. After getting knocked down in their playoff opener, Blake Griffin and the Clippers answered with a dominant performance in shutting down the Warriors as soon as the game began.

Griffin scored a career playoff-high 35 points without a foul, and Chris Paul added 12 points and 10 assists for the Clippers, who started the game on a 14-4 run and kept on going, maintaining a sizeable double-digit lead through the final three quarters. They finished with franchise records for points and largest victory margin in a playoff game.

Game 3 (Friday) is at Oakland.

All the foul trouble that plagued Griffin and Paul in the Clippers’ four-point loss in Game 1 belonged to the Warriors this time. Stephen Curry scored 20 of his 24 points in the third quarter, when the Warriors never got closer than 25 points, while he played with four fouls. Klay Thompson finished with seven points — 15 under his average — and four fouls. Andre Iguodala, who fouled out of Game 1, and Jermaine O’Neal had four points and three fouls each. AP

Tomorrow’s games:

Eastern Conference:

Game 2: Charlotte at Miami (Heat lead best-of-seven series 1-0)

Western Conference:

Game 2: Dallas at San Antonio (Spurs lead 1-0)

Game 2: Portland at Houston (Trailblazers lead 1-0)