The Oklahoma City Thunder is expected to be a top contender in the Western Conference. Not so for the Memphis Grizzlies.

In fact, not one soul expected them to reach this far.

Barging into the 2011 NBA Playoffs as the 8th seed in the West, the Grizzlies made history by winning their first ever playoff game when it defeated the #1 seed San Antonio Spurs in Game 1 of their First Round matchup. Dismissed as just a fluke, they went on to win the series in six games as they became just the second #8 seed ever to defeat a #1 seed since the first round was expanded to a best-of-seven format in 2003.

In the Conference Semifinals, the Grizzlies is again trying to make history by becoming the first 8th seed to advance to the Conference Finals. However, they are in a neck-to-neck battle with the Thunder who want to make a name for themselves as well.

And so, on May 15 at the Oklahoma City Arena, in Oklahoma, the first Game 7 of this NBA Playoffs will be played out between the home team Oklahoma City Thunder and the visiting team, the Memphis Grizzlies.

Scoring king Kevin Durant will try to erase the memory of his dismal showing in Game 6 where he only scored 11 points on 3-14 shooting allowing the Grizzlies to pull off the 95-83 win and force this penultimate Game 7.

It’s all been Zach Randolph so far for the Grizzlies. If they are to win this series, his team mates need to step up as well.

Game 7 is on Sunday, May 15, at the Oklahoma City Arena, in Oklahoma.

=======================================================

UPDATE May 15, 2011:

RECAP:

Durant scored 39 points for his best offensive outing of the series, Russell Westbrook had his first playoff triple-double (14 points, 14 assists, 10 rebounds) and the Oklahoma City Thunder advanced to the Western Conference finals with a 105-90 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies in Game 7 on Sunday.

HIGHLIGHTS:

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Tags: 2011 NBA playoffs, memphis grizzlies, oklahoma city thunder