Thunder final score: Grizzlies go up 3-1, defeating the Thunder, 103-97 in OT.

Box Score

The Memphis Grizzlies win a pivotal game 4 and are now 1 game away from the Western Conference Finals, beating the Oklahoma City Thunder, 103-97.

The Thunder jumped out to a 7-0 lead, and rode that momentum for the rest of the quarter, finishing up with a 14-4 run to end the first up 11. OKC was led by Serge Ibaka in the first, who had 9 points and 7 rebounds over the period.

The Thunder expanded that lead to 15 for much of the second quarter, but Memphis took advantage of 8 OKC first half turnovers, and a Jerryd Bayless 3 at the end of the half cut it to 8 going into the break.

The Thunder kept their lead steady until Memphis went on a 9-0 run to tie it with 2 minutes left the third, both team entered the final quarter tied at 76.

After a back and forth fourth quarter, Durant missed a key free throw in the final minute and a half to put the Thunder ahead, Zach Randolph responded going 1 for 2 from the line to give Memphis the 93-92 lead. Randolph then came up with the huge steal. Mike Conley failed to make the 3 pointer to seal the game, but the Griz got the offensive rebound. Gasol would only make 1 of 2 from the line.

Kevin Durant then got a wide-open layup on the next possession to tie the game at 94 with 6.4 remaining. Perkins then blocked Randolph's game winning attempt at the buzzer, forcing overtime.

The Griz got out to a quick 4 point lead, their largest of the night, and the Thunder were never able to take back the lead as the Thunder are now 1 loss away from elimination.

What is your initial reaction to tonight's result?

Ibaka finally had a good first quarter, nearly having a double double in the opening period. It's no coincidence that the Thunder were up by double digits while Ibaka was involved on both sides of the floor, then quickly lost the lead as Ibaka went back to lackluster play we've seen this series.

The Thunder needed someone to step up in Westbrook's absence, but what has become abundantly clear is that Westbrook as able to make his teammates like Ibaka and Thabo better by his play.

What was, overall, the main reason why the Thunder lost?

The Thunder committed 15 turnovers tonight. This entire series has come to down to the Grizzlies getting numerous second chances and the negating OKC holding Memphis to only 40%.

Ibaka finaly had a good first quarter this game, scoring 9 and rebounding 7. The Thunder eventually went up by 17. Over the rest of the game, Ibaka had only 8 points and 7 rebounds. This kind of play of the rest of the team did little to make up for Durants 10-27 night.

What does this game tell us about what to expect for game 5?

The Thunder head back home needing a miracle to pull out this series. Their undermanned, against one of the hottest teams in the NBA. I think the Thunder have a chance of pulling out game 5 at home but this series is all but over. Bad luck has really killed the Thunder, as for the last 4 games it's been within 2 in the final 2 minutes, with OKC coming out on the losing end 3 times.

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Dara's Awards

Thunder Wonder: Kevin Durant, 27 points, 7 rebounds, 7 assists.

Thunder Down Under: Serge Ibaka, 17 points, 14 rebounds.

Thunder Blunder: Thabo Sefolosha, 5 points, 1-4 shooting.

Thunder Plunderer: Marc Gasol, 23 points, 11 rebounds.

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Next game: Game 5 vs Memphis Grizzlies, on Wednesday May 15 @ 8:30

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