NBA Playoffs 2013: Grizzlies Edge Thunder 99-93 Behind Conley’s Clutch Jumpers, Even West Semis Series At 1-1

Mike Conley racked up a near-triple double and knocked down two big buckets down the stretch as the Memphis Grizzlies edged the Oklahoma City Thunder 99-93 to even their Western Conference semis series at 1-1 on Tuesday.

The Grizzlies-Thunder showdown is back to square one after another wild back-and-forth ballgame at Chesapeake Energy Arena. But unlike the heavyweight battle in the interior in Game 1, the Grizz this time leaned on their little guys to steer the ship.

Conley recorded 26 points, 10 rebounds, and 9 assists while Allen tallied 12 points, 7 rebounds and 5 steals. Allen, arguably the league's best perimeter defender, also had a terrific job containing Thunder superstar Kevin Durant, especially in the waning minutes of the fourth quarter.

Durant (36 points) breached the 35-point mark for the second consecutive game, but the high-scoring All-Star forward just shot 11-for-21 from the field and went scoreless in the final three minutes.

It was an all out tussle in the first three quarters with neither team allowing each other to build a double digit lead. Memphis had a three-point lead at the half but the Thunder responded with a 23-15 run in the third to take a 74-70 lead going into the fourth quarter. The Thunder and Grizz continued to trade leads until Conley took over in the final three minutes.

With Memphis trailing by one point, 90-89, Conley buried a huge trey from the top of the key to give the Grizz a two-point lead with 1:58 second left. Durant tried to answer Conley's big shot, but his three-point attempt just hit all iron.

Conley then sealed the deal with a mid-range jumper as the Grizzlies seized a 94-90 advantage with barely one-minute left on the clock.

The Grizzlies, who eliminated the Los Angeles Clippers in six games, shot 41.9 percent from the field and racked up 43 boards. Memphis bigmen also did well with Zach Randolph recording 15 points and 8 boards and Marc Gasol tallying 24 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists in the victory.