MEMPHIS, Tennessee (AP)– The Grizzlies know they have to stop blowing fourth-quarter leads. Consecutive overtime wins makes the needed corrections much easier for Memphis.
Mike Conley scored five of his 20 points in overtime, and the Grizzlies beat the Oklahoma City Thunder, 98-95, Thursday night to take a 2-1 lead in their first-round Western Conference series.
“Obviously, we’re happy with the win but disappointed at the way we handled that last quarter,†Conley said. “We knew they were going to make runs. We knew they’d keep fighting because that’s what they do, and it’s the playoffs. They’re going to make runs. They’re going to make plays. They have two of the best players in the league.â€
Still, the Grizzlies won their second straight overtime game this time after leading by 17 before going cold for most of the final 7:43 of regulation. Courtney Lee clinched the win, hitting three of four free throws in the final 10.9 seconds of OT.