Grizzlies 100, Thunder 99 (OT)

OKLAHOMA CITY – Guard Mike Miller scored 21 points off the bench to lead the Memphis Grizzlies to a 100-99 overtime win over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday in Game 5 of the best-of-seven series.

The Grizzlies lead the series 3-2.

This was the fourth straight game the teams have gone into an extra quarter, and the Thunder had to fight back from a 20-point deficit in the third quarter to get this one into overtime.

With 2:33 left in overtime, Memphis forward Zach Randolph was fouled while attempting a layup. His free throws put the Grizzlies up 98-94.

Off assists from guard Russell Westbrook, center Kendrick Perkins and forward Serge Ibaka came up with back-to-back baskets to tie game at 98-98 with 1:27 left.

Guard Mike Conley curled into the lane for an easy layup to put the Grizzlies ahead. Forward Tony Allen fouled forward Kevin Durant with 27.5 seconds on the clock. After making the first free throw, referee Joey Crawford interrupted Durant’s second attempt for an unknown reason. When Durant got the ball back, he missed the shot and the Thunder trailed by one.

Miller’s 3-point attempt was long and the ball went out of bounds to Oklahoma City.

Durant settled for a long 3-point attempt in the final seconds that was off the mark. Ibaka’s put back came after the buzzer, giving the Grizzlies the victory.

Randolph posted 20 points and grabbed 10 rebounds. Conley added 17 points.

Westbrook ended the night with 30 points on 10-of-31 shooting. He picked up his first triple double of the postseason with 10 rebounds and 13 assists.

The Grizzlies led by 20 points with less than four minutes remaining in the third quarter. But the Thunder fought back, and Westbrook’s dunk with four seconds left in the fourth quarter pushed the game into overtime.

Durant added 26 points on 10-of-24 shooting. Ibaka finished with 15 points and 12 rebounds.

Game 6 is Thursday in Memphis. It will be win or go home for the Thunder.

NOTES: With Oklahoma City F Kevin Durant going through one of the worst shooting stretches of his career, coach Scott Brooks was asked if Durant was playing too many minutes. “I don’t think so,” Brooks said. “I think his minutes are good. Right around 38 to 39 minutes. I think he is probably at his low the last four or five years.” … During their shoot around, the Memphis Grizzlies turned their shooting shirt inside out in support of the Los Angeles Clippers. “I’m glad the NBA rose up together as a family. I couldn’t agree more with the outcome,” Memphis center Marc Gasol said of Clippers owner Donald Sterling’s lifetime ban for racist comments. “Sports bring people together and not the opposite. It’s worldwide. It doesn’t matter where you’re from or your background.” … Brooks is a huge admirer of the skill set of Gasol. “The thing about Gasol, he is such a great all-around player,” Brooks said. “Not only was he the defensive player of the year, he has a great feel for the game. He has them mind of a point guard. As you see, he can score from different spots on the floor. That’s pretty special in itself.”