Watch: Thunder and Grizzlies sweeping the floor – Basketball insiders move forward
The Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the Memphis Grizzlies 117-115 to win Game 4 and advance to the Western Conference semifinals.
Memphis played with the despair of a team without star point guard Ja Morant.
Scotty Pippen Jr. is the starting point guard with 30 points, 11 rebounds and 4 assists. Desmond Bane and Santi Aldama scored 23 points respectively, but in the end it wasn't enough.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander excelled in finishing the Grizzlies with 38 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 steals and one block. Jalen Williams finished with 23 points.
The grizzly bear makes it fascinating. Luguentz Dort knocked out two free throws, giving the Thunder a 114-108 lead with 49 seconds left, with Vince Williams and Desmond Bane clamping the three-pointer around a clutch Gilgi Ax Ax barrel.
Then, Oklahoma City's Williams opened the game for the Grizzlies by taking one of two free throws with a 117-114 lead with six seconds left.
Memphis played his last game in a third, and the Thunder made an informed decision before the shooting broke out and forced Bain into a situation where he had to miss a second free throw for a chance.
Bane made the first one and deliberately missed the second free throw, but the Grizzlies couldn't make up for the rebound.
Major changes are waiting for the Grizzlies?
It was the turbulent end of Memphis this season, sacking Taylor Jenkins a few weeks before the playoffs.
The team's game as high as the second seed in the second half of the season suggests more changes are likely to happen.
Some speculation has been raised whether Morant has played his last game as a member of the Grizzlies. There is reason to believe that the scenery may change Morant, and the freshness of the grizzly bear is best for both sides.
This iteration of the Grizzlies has only one playoff series in the past five seasons.
Thunder sits down and waits for the Nuggets and Clippers
Oklahoma City met expectations in the first round, easing their suffocating defense behind the Grizzlies.
Their next opponent will be the Denver Nuggets or the Los Angeles Clippers, with both teams locking in a huge battle. The Clippers led the series 2-1 on Saturday night with Game 4.
Now, the Thunder will have at least a week as their next series won't start until at least May 3.
