OKLAHOMA CITY, May 12 (UPI) -- A 19-point performance by Kevin Durant and a strong defensive effort Wednesday sent Oklahoma City rolling over Memphis 99-72.
The Thunder took a 3-2 lead in the Western Conference semifinals and will try to close out the Grizzlies Friday in Memphis. If Memphis can stay alive in Game 6, a deciding contest would be played Sunday in Oklahoma City.
Oklahoma City and Memphis played a grueling triple-overtime game Monday in which the Thunder prevailed, and it was the Grizzlies who appeared Wednesday to have suffered the most from that marathon. Memphis hit just 35 percent of its shots in Game 5 and once Oklahoma City began to build its lead late in the second quarter the Grizzlies had no response.
Oklahoma City held Memphis to 20 or fewer points in every quarter while shooting 48 percent from the field. The Thunder outrebounded the Grizzlies 50-33.
Durant made 7-of-14 shots from the field. Daequan Cook added 18 points off the bench and Russell Westbrook had 11.
Marc Gasol was the only player in double figures for Memphis with 15. The Grizzlies managed just 37 points in the second half.
If Oklahoma City can close out the series Friday, the Western Conference finals will start Sunday in Dallas. A Game 7 between Oklahoma City and Memphis would push the start of the conference finals back to next Tuesday.
