The Memphis Grizzlies Are Going To The Western Conference Finals

Kevin Durant had 21 points on a putrid 5-21 shooting night. Memphis led by as much as 12 with as little as three minutes left in the game. Even with the night going the way that it did, Durant still had a great look at a game-tying shot with about four seconds left in the game. He missed long.

The Memphis Grizzlies beat the Thunder in five games and will play in the Western Conference finals for the first time in franchise history. Zach Randolph had 28 points and 14 rebounds to lead the Grizzlies and Tayshaun Prince had the symbolic hammer on OKC's nail.

The story of this series—like in Boston and Chicago—was what could have been. Durant played all 48 minutes tonight after playing 48 in Game 4 because Russell Westbrook was unavailable due to injury. It's not a slight to the Grizzlies to say this series would have been different had he been there. It's not a guarantee the final outcome changes, but it likely lasts more than 5 games.