MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The Memphis Grizzlies are finding a little desperation can carry them a long way.
How far? That remains to be seen, but they sure keep finding ways to win.
Zach Randolph had 21 points and a franchise-record 21 rebounds, and the Grizzlies rallied from a 16-point deficit to stun the Oklahoma City Thunder 101-93 in overtime Saturday and grab a 2-1 lead in their Western Conference semifinal.
The Grizzlies are trying to do something no NBA team has done, climb from the No. 8 seed to the Western Conference finals. They moved two wins away from that by remaining undefeated on their home court this postseason.
Memphis coach Lionel Hollins knows his Grizzlies were fortunate, but says that’s life in the NBA playoffs.
“In order to go further, you always have to be in games where you’ve got to do something miraculous in order to win the game,” Hollins said. “I thought this was miraculous the way we fought back after being down 16, and it was a super win. And like I said, by the grace of God we were fortunate to come out on top.”
The Grizzlies did it with an amazing comeback in a game they couldn’t have looked more out of sync or rusty early, but they scored the first six points of overtime to finish off the victory.
Kevin Durant, the NBA’s scoring leader in the regular season and these playoffs, took only three shots in overtime and missed them all. He finished with 22 points.
“This is a tough loss,” Durant said. “I’m trying to stay positive, but it was tough.”
Celtics 97, Heat 81
BOSTON — Rajon Rondo had six points and 11 assists despite playing the fourth quarter with a dislocated left elbow, and Boston beat Miami in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference semifinals.
Miami leads the best-of-seven series 2-1, with Game 4 on Monday night in Boston.
Kevin Garnett had 28 points and 18 rebounds, and Paul Pierce scored 27 for the defending East champions.
Dwyane Wade had 23 points and seven assists, and Joel Anthony continued to contribute off the bench, scoring 12 with 11 rebounds.
“We understand fully now how tough it is to take down a champion,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said.
LeBron James scored 15, as he and Wade combined to make just 14-of-35 shots from the floor.
