MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Zach Randolph is doing everything he can to keep the Memphis Grizzlies’ memorable playoff run going as long as possible.
Randolph had 30 points and 13 rebounds, and the Grizzlies avoided elimination by beating the Oklahoma City Thunder 95-83 on Friday night to push their Western Conference semifinal to Game 7 — the first in these NBA playoffs.
The Grizzlies had never won a game before when facing elimination, but that was in 2004, 2005 and 2006, when they were swept out of the postseason each of those years. These Grizzlies are having not only the best playoff run in franchise history, but they now have won more games this postseason than any other No. 8 seed from the West. (The Nuggets won six postseason games as a No. 8 seed in 1994.)
Game 7 will be Sunday in Oklahoma City, with the winner advancing to play the well-rested Dallas Mavericks.
“This is where we want to be playing, Game 7, that one game to get to the Western Conference finals,” Randolph said. “It’s important. I feel good, but the job ain’t done yet. We know it’s going to be tough going to Oklahoma trying to win that game. We believe we can do it, and we’re committed.”
O.J. Mayo, who started in place of Sam Young, scored 16 points for Memphis. Mike Conley had 11 points and 12 assists, and Tony Allen added 10 points as the Grizzlies improved to 5-1 on their home court in this postseason.
Memphis outscored the Thunder 51-29 in the second half and 46-38 in the paint overall.
Russell Westbrook led the Thunder with 27 points, and James Harden had 14. Kevin Durant, the NBA’s leading scorer in the regular season, was held to a postseason-low 11 points.
“It’s going to be a tough Game 7 at our place,” Durant said. “I’m looking forward to it.”
Randolph had been limited to just 19.8 points and 31.9 percent shooting since he scored a career-best 34 points in Game 1. He had been the focus of the Thunder’s defense and had just nine points on 3-of-9 shooting in Game 5. Memphis coach Lionel Hollins credited the difference to having 48 more hours to recover from their triple-overtime loss Monday.
“Obviously, we’ve been a team that’s been able to come from behind all year long, and we did it again tonight,” Hollins said.
The Thunder had its biggest lead at 54-41 just before halftime and looked ready to blow out Memphis, but Shane Battier ended the first half with a 3-pointer and the Grizzlies used that as the start of a decisive 18-5 run into the third.
