The Oklahoma City Thunder welcomed the Memphis Grizzlies into Chesapeake Energy Arena to start the first round of the NBA Playoffs. After being upset by the Grizzlies last year during the playoffs, Kevin Durant and the Thunder came into this game with a chip on their shoulder. The Thunder came out swinging in the first half, eventually going into half time leading by 22. However, the Grizzlies clawed their way back to bring Memphis within four points at the end of the 3rd.
Kevin Durant scored 13 of his 33 points in the fourth quarter to secure the home win for Oklahoma City. OKC was the only team with home-field advantage that was able to pull out the victory on the first day of the NBA Playoffs. This was the third time these two teams have met in the post-season in the last four years. Last year, when the Thunder were eliminated they were missing a very crucial part of the team. With the addition of a healthy Russell Westbrook, the Thunder are absolutely a force to be reckoned with during this post-season.
Of the eight teams that played on Saturday, the Thunder were by far the most impressive and complete basketball team. There are few things more exciting than watching a completely healthy Oklahoma City Thunder squad play Playoff-basketball. Check out Game 2 on Monday at 8 PM on TNT.
