The Oklahoma City Thunder are heading into Game 3 of their series against the Memphis Grizzlies looking for a win after dropping a home game to lose home court advantage and Kevin Durant will be looking to step up again to lead the team to a victory, like he has done for most of the postseason since Russell Westbrook went down.
Durant has been phenomenal for the Thunder in the playoffs since losing his right hand man in Westbrook, who suffered a knee injury in the series against the Rockets in game two, knocking him out for the postseason. Durant is averaging nearly 40 points and is leading the team in points, rebounds and assists, while the Grizzlies have received some great play from Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph along with point guard Mike Conley.
The Grizzlies took away home court advantage from the Thunder with the 99-93 win in Game 2 and now the team has the chance to take control at home at FedEx Forum where they have played so well this season, losing just nine times during the year before the postseason. The Grizzlies had a tough series against the Clippers and defeated Chris Paul and Blake Griffin in six games and now the team has the chance to do the same against the Thunder. Mike Conley outplayed Chris Paul in the first series and he has proven to be one of the best guards in the league with his play in the postseason and without Westbrook in the lineup he has taken the mantle as the best PG in this series.
Durant has put the team on his back for the playoffs after losing Westbrook and he has been the leader on the court, which has been a good and bad thing at times, like in Game 2 when he was forced to bring the ball up at the end of the game with a chance to cut the lead instead of looking for an open shot away from the ball. The Grizzlies have been one of the highest scoring teams in the playoffs at home and after losing just nine games there all season they will try to do the same on Saturday. The Grizzlies have been one of the best defensive teams in the NBA this season and the Thunder are right behind in keeping opponents from shooting well, holding teams to under 45 percent shooting.
The Thunder went 60-22 this season and averaged over 105 points, while the team allowed 96 points per game and went 26-15 on the road while finishing by winning five of their last eight. The Grizz went 56-26 and the team scored 93 points per game while allowing under 90 and going 32-9 at home during the year.
