vs. 
OKC Thunder (5-3, 1-2 road) vs. Memphis Grizzlies (6-3, 4-0 home)
TV: TNT (Cox 31, HD 730);
Stream: Click here
Radio: WWLS The Sports Animal (98.1 FM, 640 AM, 97.1 FM Tulsa)
Time: 8:30 CT
Series: Memphis leads 2-1
View from the enemy: 3 Shades of Blue
Here we go again. Thunder with their backs to the wall, needing to bounce back or face an uphill climb that’s unlikely to happen.
In other words, if you’re not nervous about tonight’s game, you should be.
The hope was to sweep in Memphis and come back to Oklahoma City holding a 3-1 series edge. That was the dream. But the real goal was to at least split and regain the homecourt advantage. That’s still entirely possible for the Thunder.
What’s making things a bit more dicey though is the way Game 3 went down. The Thunder should’ve had that win all locked up with a chance to really grab this series by the stones. Instead, they blew a 16-point lead and shook everyone’s confidence. Except, according to them, their own.
Which is the key. If they can put the transgressions of Game 3 in the rearview, they can win tonight. They were better than the Grizzlies for 85 percent of Game 3 and in a lot of ways, MUCH better. But they lost, which is the all important part.
The Thunder are 23-6 in bounce back games. This is the next in line of the biggest yet. Bounce back, and they’re right where they need to be. Don’t, and they’re teetering on the rails of ruin.
Tip at 8:30 CT. Go Up The Thunder.
holy comments!
walrusmuse :
i dunno, i need a recap. i’m not going to sleep for at least 4 days.
Haha
@Rimfro
Bravo, and thanks for the kind words. If you guys do win, We, I at leasy hope you win it all. you have a great all around team and wish you well..only after the series is over, ;)
@Smokey
I am going to enjoy every minute of it! I honestly thought we would beat the Spurs, but coming into this series, I just wasn't sure how we would fare. I am still not sure, because everytime one of these teams has an edge, the other team gets off the mat, and delivers a blow of their own. WOW!
@Rimfro
Much love to Memphis. Good showing by your team and fanbase. This series is far from over, and both teams seem to have a bright future.
Enjoy the ride.
Honestly, at some point during that game it passed into the "We're watching one of the best playoff games of all time" territory, which changed my outlook on the series and the Grizzlies. I've got a lot of respect for the grizzlies. There was a ton of heart in that game.
@dromnomnom
http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ie=UTF8&ll=35.403358,-97.601026&spn=0.004609,0.006899&t=h&z=17
If i'm remembering correctly it will be in the place zoomed in on.
@Rimfro
good gosh ours can't either. and that's the 10th OT game this season. i think. i cant do math anymore either.
@walrusmuse
I'm not going to lie, it sucks, haha, but I have to give credit where credit is due. I played basketball my entire life, and after an epic display, such as this, you have to show love. That felt like a game 7, yet we still have at least two games left! I don't know if my heart can take it...
@dromnomnom
Haha! I hope not! If that is the way it goes from here on out, I think I would be okay with that. You guys have definitely earned these wins, and it would be because you guys just plain beat us. I think we are in for a long series, but the advantage is with the Thunder now. Playing on the road doesn't seem to rattle any of these kids, though. I look foward to game 5! I wish I could come watch it with you guys, but my fanhood would probably get in the way. Haha.
@Rimfro
thanks for the kind words. it's especially tough after a game like that. i sure doubt we'll ever underestimate the grizzlies at this point...gosh what a marathon.
I can do it, any idea what hanger they will be at?
@Rimfro
Thank you very much for the compliment Rimfro, what a damn game and I look forward the series continuing to excite!
Actually I would absolutely adore the Thunder to blow Memphis out the next two games but that doesn't seem to be par for the course now does it? lol
I suspect that's their flight. Taking off in two minutes arrives just before 3. I don't think I can pull that off :(
I will start out by saying that I am a Grizzlies fan. That was one of the most epic, gut wrenching, and frustrating games I have ever witnessed. Congratulations to you, Thunder faithful, for pulling it out. Kevin Durant was an absolute beast in that final overtime! I hate that we had to lose, but you guys showed a lot of guts, and I have a huge respect for you, and your team.
I get that at times we talk trash, and get a little out of control, but I understand that. That's why we are fanatics. I've been reading your blog for awhile, and think that OKC fans are some of the most dedicated, knowledgable fans in all of professional sports. Don't get too cocky though, and sleep on the Grizzlies. They will be ready, and they will fight, as we have seen these last three games. I will also say, don't give up on your guys. They want it just as bad as you do, and they have proven they will not quit. That is all you can ask as a sportsman.
Anyhow, I need to go lick my wounds, and wind down for bed. Good luck in Game 5. Enjoy it guys, it was brilliant!
http://flightaware.com/live/flight/DAL8943/history/20110510/0459Z/KMEM/KOKC
LOL now there's an "official" air congo shirt. not so, my friends, not so. the TnL/DT one is the OG.
WooHoo!!!
1743rd!
Thank god for being on the west coast. I can get 7 hours of sleep. That's if I come down from this triple overtime high. What a win. That's why I do what I do and KD and Russ do what they do. I criticize and they make buckets haha. Good job guys. Harden must start. He was also a stud tonight.
I am speechless. If anyone burns games onto DVD's I would love to buy this game
dromnomnom :
So do we have any idea when/where they are going to land yet?
I'm curious of this too. I REALLY want to meet the team at the airport. They deserve a great greeting back home! Thunder Up! Great win!
So do we have any idea when/where they are going to land yet?
i dunno, i need a recap. i'm not going to sleep for at least 4 days.
@clarkem
KD is gross!
@clarkem
amazing
Greg :@nafreem001Durant… D Howard arms? I couldn’t think of two more different things.
Durant vs D Howard's shoulders. :D
http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/608599/kdtriplecross.gif
Night, folks. Its been surreal
Is this a record number of posts for one thread? Over 1700
@Greg
I know. see if you can find video of it. My jaw dropped when I saw it. Definitely stood out. I was excited that he put on weight, but it was gone by the time the season started.
@nafreem001
Durant... D Howard arms? I couldn't think of two more different things.
Royce, you can have the night off.. Im sure a recap would only sounds like you were talking in tongues
Daniel Plainview :
Durant NEEDS 10 pounds min of muscle
Are you kidding me? Did you even see Durant during the summer league??
Dude had massive arms, looked like D Howard's arms. Obviously the guy is a gym rat, and loses a lot of it since he plays so much. That is what makes him so good... I am not going to ask him to stop putting the time in the gym in.
His body is not naturally built like Lebron
Westbrook is awesome!
and so is this after a win:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lyr0nHAmvYc
Hmmm... Royce said he'll have an airport arrival time shortly. That would be awesome if a decent size crowd met them.
westbrooksjumpshot :OHHHHHHHHH MYYYYYYYYY GODDDDDDDDDDDDD!
if i hear one more westbrook complaint, i think i’m going to buy a rifle..
You don't own a rifle?
Again, we won this game basically WITHOUT Ibaka
OHHHHHHHHH MYYYYYYYYY GODDDDDDDDDDDDD!
if i hear one more westbrook complaint, i think i'm going to buy a rifle..
@Lang
And Harden +17
Yes, we win. Will watch this game for sure.
Daniel Plainview :
Smokey :
Daniel Plainview :What am I still doing up?
You’re going to rewatch the game, like me!
Im laughing hysterically at its inevibility. I love how we won by alot. Werent we down in the third OT?
I'm having trouble remembering all the twists and turns. I'll have to read this "novel" again. :P
Knocked a few years off my life watching this one...and now I have no fingernails left. But it was all worth it :)
andrew :IF we make it out of this series I think the Mavs will murder us.
Maybe, but making out of the 2nd round would feel great.
Smokey :
Daniel Plainview :What am I still doing up?
You’re going to rewatch the game, like me!
Im laughing hysterically at its inevibility. I love how we won by alot. Werent we down in the third OT?
I can't wait to read through all seventeen hundred and thirty five comments tommo... this morning over coffee.
IF we make it out of this series I think the Mavs will murder us.
Couldnt help but laugh when Russ had that big smile in the interview when he said yeah I'm been getting some flac.. Or whatever he said haha
Daniel Plainview :What am I still doing up?
You're going to rewatch the game, like me!
you guys know that this game started at 8:30 PM Central time, and ended at 12:28 Central time. 4 Hours... Wow.
1715 comments (so the site says). How did this place not crash?
I just ate an entire box of cereal and I opened it in the fourth quarter. I just kept nervously shoveling handfuls into my mouth.