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Twitter is fun, especially Grizzlies Twitter. Following along can certainly give you a feel for how things are going for Memphis, for better or worse. The night started interestingly enough...
Butler starting instead of Sefolosha tonight. pic.twitter.com/fX2A8nhr2j
— Joe Mullinax (@JoeMullinax) May 1, 2014
OKC opting for more offense in their starting lineup. Not necessarily a good thing with Butler though...
Butler has not started for the Thunder this season. But on the road this series he has a -26.8 NetRtg. 81.7 ORtg, 108.4 Drtg.
— Zach Thomas (@zacharytthomas) May 1, 2014
A bold strategy to start. Twitter legend MeTweetForFood chimed in as only she can...
@JoeMullinax What's yer game, Brooks?! pic.twitter.com/8ISJQt4miz
— MeTweet (@MeTweetForFood) May 1, 2014
Kevin Lipe of the Memphis Flyer nailed it in this RT-
#Searching RT @JADubin5: Russ-Butler-KD-Serge-Perk has played 9 minutes together all season, too. 4 in the playoffs.
— Kevin Lipe (@FlyerGrizBlog) May 2, 2014
The Grizzlies paid tribute to their former owner Michael Heisley in a truly beautiful way...
+1 RT @ChrisVernonShow: The video of Michael Heisley singin anthem on jumbotron was special. Big ups @memgrizz RIP Mr Heisley
— Chris Herrington (@HerringtonNBA) May 2, 2014
Then, it was time for the game. It started out with a sinking feeling that Lipe puts well...
Anyone else at least a little terrified KD is going to go for 65 tonight?
— Kevin Lipe (@FlyerGrizBlog) May 2, 2014
It was pretty clear that KD was going to try to make a statement as he started shooting 2-3. Z-Bo hit his first two in response.
ZBOOOOOOO
— Kyle Whittington (@kwhitt91) May 2, 2014
Mike Conley was moving well from the start, for reasons our own Andrew Ford surely broke the news on...
Conley’s got that fresh hair cut. Surely much more aerodynamic now. #HotSportsTakes
— Andrew Ford (@AndrewFord22) May 2, 2014
KD's shooting attempts being up was clearly by design...
Durant is on pace to shoot 48 shots.
— Joe Mullinax (@JoeMullinax) May 2, 2014
The Thunder's hot shooting led by Durant was made worse by Memphis' slow shooting start...
@JoeMullinax Grindhouse? More like "Brickhouse" early on.
— Peter Mullinax (@wxmvpete) May 2, 2014
Thankfully Marc Gasol decided to take over. 6 straight points got the Grizzlies back in the game.
— Steve Danziger (@StevieDanziger) May 2, 2014
This was a welcome development to be sure. As was the entry of Tony Allen and Mike Miller in to the contest with Tayshaun Prince and Courtney Lee struggling early on. The bigs were the story for Memphis, as Gasol and Randolph combined for all 16 of Memphis' points through 11 minutes of play. TA scored the first non-big point on FTs, which maybe never should have happened...
Reggie Jackson fouled Tony Allen on a fast break? Doesn't he read the scouting report?
— Matt Hrdlicka (@theRealHrdlicka) May 2, 2014
KD continued to be the story for OKC, as did more missed easy scoring opportunities for Memphis.
Twelve minutes in the books and OKC leads things 25-17. The Grizz are 1-for-4 from the free throw line. #FREE
— Gary Darby (@GDarb65) May 2, 2014
OKC had the lead as the second quarter started. KD had his coach looking mighty smart...
#ScottBrooksIsAGenius RT @YourManDevine: As adjustments go, Kevin Durant hitting a bunch of shots is a pretty good one.
— Joshua Red Coleman (@3SOB) May 2, 2014
So did the Grizzlies' defense, who were reaching and not moving their feet. I voiced my concern about this,saying it could get out of control if it continued. I was told I had upset a local media personality for the following reason.
@JoeMullinax @JohnMartinCA He says he "bleeds Grizzly bear blue."
— Kevin Cerrito (@cerrito) May 2, 2014
The game continued to teeter on the edge of darkness. Then, we all got to see the beauty that is positive Ed Davis.
Ed Davis, MFers.
— Ben Brown (@BenTBrown) May 2, 2014
While the continued issue of missed free throws created more concern, the offense was moving the ball and the defense was creating opportunities off of turnovers.
Great D TA and Conley
— Brevin Knight (@brevinknight22) May 2, 2014
As the Grizzies and Thunder were doing battle below, a couple of royals took in the scene...
Look, the REAL king and queen of showed up at the game tonight! pic.twitter.com/U0r8JOiOJZ
— Made in Memphis (@MadeinMemphis1) May 2, 2014
The Thunder got the lead up to 17 and continued to look focused on survival. Memphis looked focused on hibernation, both in the stands at times and on the court...
Grizzlies aren't going to win if they don't wake up.
— Kevin Lipe (@FlyerGrizBlog) May 2, 2014
They were down 15 at the half, but as Chris Herrington pointed out, the past could once again be prologue.
56-41, OKC at half. About as bad as it could be for Griz. Hopefully this game follows series form and tightens up.
— Chris Herrington (@HerringtonNBA) May 2, 2014
The second half began and the Grizzlies continued to see Courtney Lee struggle; 0-4 is not gonna cut it from your starting shooting guard.
I love Courtney but he has been a non-factor.
— Greg Gaston (@Greg_Gaston) May 2, 2014
Memphis got a bit upset with the officiating; a no-call on a Conley 3 attempt and a foul on the next offensive shot by OKC which was questionable at best got the fans and Coach Joerger fired up.
Dave Joerger has seen enough go the Thunder's way. TECHNICAL FOUL. At least now there's energy in the building
— Ronald Tillery (@CAGrizBeat) May 2, 2014
That energy did not stay positive for long as OKC stretched their lead.
The lead is up to 20 now for OKC. Grizzlies all out of sorts. Danger time.
— Michael Cohen (@Michael_Cohen13) May 2, 2014
When in danger, break the glass known as...James Johnson?
you have got to be kidding me
— Chris Vernon (@ChrisVernonShow) May 2, 2014
Not ideal. Especially when his first shot is a 3 and first defensive play is a fast break foul. What he is good for is energy and aggression. After a minor scuffle and double technicals, Butler, be warned...
I guess Caron Butler doesn't know he's messing with a dude nicknamed #Bloodsport
— Ben Hogan (@NotTheGolfer) May 2, 2014
Intensity returned to the Forum, and James Johnson's spark of chaos did not go unnoticed.
If only Tayshaun Prince were having dinner at the Rendezvous.
— Geoff Calkins (@geoff_calkins) May 2, 2014
A minor run is better than no run at all, and the lead was cut to 17 with 4:19 left in the quarter. The Thunder responded, and the questionable officiating remained a story.
Yeah, that's not a foul and Earth's not a planet.
— Made in Memphis (@MadeinMemphis1) May 2, 2014
Mike Conle went down and to the locker room, and the city held it's collective breath.
Conley heads to the locker room essentially hopping on one leg. Not good.
— Michael Cohen (@Michael_Cohen13) May 2, 2014
Without Conley, Memphis' offense struggled and the Thunder lead was 21 going into the 4th quarter.
The Grizzlies' defense has adjusted. Tragically, Memphis will never score again.
— Hardwood Paroxysm (@HPbasketball) May 2, 2014
The fourth quarter started with ideas on how to get Memphis ready for a possible Game 7...
I would kill for a CA headline of "THE GRIZZLIES SUCK. Is that how this works?"
— Chase Lucas (@deepfriedcouch) May 2, 2014
Memphis missed their star point guard terribly, as poor decisions with the ball were made left and right. Thankfully, we all got some good news.
Mike Conley (mild right hamstring strain) is cleared to return.
— Ronald Tillery (@CAGrizBeat) May 2, 2014
Conley returned when Zach Randolph did, but was clearly not himself.
conley is clearly limping. there is another game to play, get him out
— Chris Vernon (@ChrisVernonShow) May 2, 2014
Memphis soldiered on without their PG, and the Thunder continued their onslaught. it seemed like a familiar narrative would continue, at least through this night.
RT @HPbasketball: Well, they're down 17, but at least their best player is severely injured. Because, The 2014 Grizzlies season.
— Kevin Lipe (@FlyerGrizBlog) May 2, 2014
Grizz Nation was angry and sad.
Glad I stayed home tonight. I'd probably commit a couple of road rage murders in FedExForum traffic on the way home.
— Kevin Lipe (@FlyerGrizBlog) May 2, 2014
If you are a depressed Grizzlies fan, do not watch the Chick-Fil-A Dance Cam right now. It will only make it worse.
— Peter Edmiston (@peteredmiston) May 2, 2014
The James Johnson belligerent love frustrated this blogger after a missed lay-up in transition...
YEAH JAMES JOHNSON IS THE ANSWER HE'S SO GREAT
— Joe Mullinax (@JoeMullinax) May 2, 2014
As the game wound down, some Memphis fans left early, which is not a good look...
Fans that leave early from playoff games<<<<<<
— Matt Hrdlicka (@theRealHrdlicka) May 2, 2014
As fans left and the mood was somber, there was still reason for hope.
Grizzlies will dump their 2nd in a row at the Grindhouse after 15 straight wins. Good news, however, is they've won 2 straight at OKC.
— Greg Gaston (@Greg_Gaston) May 2, 2014
On to the next one folks. Saturday is a big one.
Game 7. For Everything. #BelieveMemphis
— Joe Mullinax (@JoeMullinax) May 2, 2014
Grind Forth. See you Saturday.