Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Memphis Grizzlies: Game 4 Postgame Grades and Analysis

The Memphis Grizzlies stole a pivotal Game 4 from the Oklahoma City Thunder after trailing by 17 points in the first half. 

The Grizzlies won a 103-97 overtime thriller, thanks to a resilient performance from Mike Conley, Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol—who combined for 70 of the Grizzlies' 103 points.

Kevin Durant once again led the way for the Thunder, but his performance wasn't enough as he was held scoreless in overtime. 

Durant ended with 27 points, seven assists and seven rebounds, but what he didn't do was more important down the stretch. After shooting 55 percent in the first three quarters, he shot just 17.6 percent in the fourth quarter and overtime.

The biggest difference-maker in Game 4 was the solid interior play of the Grizzlies, who outscored the Thunder in the paint 44-30. 

Every loss is tough, but this one is especially difficult for the Thunder, who led by 17 points with under five minutes left in the second quarter.

Game 5 is set for Wednesday night at 9:30 p.m. ET, and that could be the end for the Thunder's title hopes. 

Point Guards

Reggie Jackson, PG Thunder

The Thunder certainly felt great about themselves after Reggie Jackson got the first quarter started with seven points on 3-of-3 shooting from the field.

Even though he brings up the "no, no, no" feeling every time he touches the ball, Jackson was efficient and productive, with nine points and four assists on 3-of-4 shooting from the field in the first half.

Unfortunately the efficiency in Jackson's game ended there. During the fourth quarter and overtime, he was overly aggressive on offense, keeping the ball away form Kevin Durant a number of times. 

While he did make costly mistakes, Jackson still ended with 15 points on 6-of-8 shooting from the field, with eight assists. The four turnovers he committed cost the Thunder though, and that's what he needs to cut out of his game.

Overall Grade: B

Mike Conley, PG Grizzlies 

Nothing was dropping besides three-pointers for Mike Conley in the first half.

He shot 3-of-4 from beyond the arc and just 4-of-10 from the field throughout the first two quarters. The Grizzlies needed all of Conley's 13 first-half points as they struggled to find efficient production in the first two quarters.

Conley came out firing in the second half, and his 24 points helped the Grizzlies fight their way back into this one—tying the game up by the end of the third quarter. He also added five assists and three rebounds along the way. 

In addition to his offensive production, Conley's defensive pressure was fantastic as he forced four steals. 

Conley isn't fearless anymore, as evidenced by his 7-of-21 shooting from the field, and while that has the chance of hurting the Grizzlies, his unwillingness to back down is a major reason why the Grizzlies are up 3-1 in this series.

Overall Grade: B+

Shooting Guards

Thabo Sefolosha, SG Thunder

As usual, Thabo Sefolosha didn't have much of an impact on the game.

With just three points on 1-of-3 shooting in the first half, he didn't maximize the 15 first-half minutes he was on the hardwood.

He ended the night with five points and five rebounds on 1-of-4 shooting from the field, in 29 total minutes. 

Sefolosha needs to be more productive, either on offense or defense, because right now all he is for the Thunder is a liability on both sides of the ball. 

Overall Grade: D+

Tony Allen, SG Grizzlies

Game 4 didn't start off being very productive for Tony Allen, with just six points in the first half. But he was efficient with those points, shooting 3-of-5 from the field. 

He kept his efficiency going in the second half, ending the game with 10 points on 5-of-9 shooting. 

Allen's offensive production wasn't why the Grizzlies won though. His All-NBA defense was the reason why the Grizzlies fought their way back into Game 4. 

Throughout the game Allen covered nearly every player wearing a Thunder jersey, and when he was on Durant, he made his life miserable.

Ultimately, Allen ended the night with three big steals, and his defensive pressure was at the forefront of the Grizzlies' comeback and subsequent Game 4 victory.

Overall Grade: B+

Small Forwards

Kevin Durant, SF Thunder

With seven points, including two deep threes, and three assists in the first quarter, it was clear that Kevin Durant had his swagger back after temporarily losing it in Game 3 of this series.

He ended the first half with 14 points and six assists, and he shot an impressive 50 percent from the field and 75 percent from beyond the arc.

While Durant ended the game with 27 points, seven assists and seven rebounds, he lost his swagger after he hit a game-tying layup to send Game 4 into overtime—failing to score a single basket on four field-goal attempts in OT.

You always want to see your superstar player take over when the game is on the line, but the Grizzlies were double- and triple-teaming Durant down the stretch, and he continued to put up highly contested shots.

With the Thunder on the brink of elimination, it's time for Durant to show everyone just how "tired of being second" he really is. 

Overall Grade: B-

Tayshaun Prince, SF Grizzlies

The most valuable part of Tayshaun Prince's Game 4 performance was his defense down the stretch on Kevin Durant.

He didn't block any shots or force any turnovers, but he contested every shot when he defended him and he stayed in front of him every possession he was defending him. 

Prince also added eight points, five assists and four rebounds, which was a nice compliment to the other starter's solid production.

While he shot just 3-of-7 from the field, Prince knocked down two final free throws for the Grizzlies to put the finishing touch on the game in overtime. 

Overall Grade: B-

Power Forwards

Serge Ibaka, PF Thunder

Either Serge Ibaka doesn't care what we all think about his value as compared to James Harden, or he really does, and that's why he dropped nine points and grabbed seven rebounds on the Grizzlies in the first quarter.

Ibaka was knocking down shots from everywhere on the floor, and that certainly struck fear into the Grizzlies from early on. He ended the first half with a double-double of 13 points and 10 rebounds. 

Ibaka cooled off significantly in the second half though, scoring just four points in the final two quarters and overtime. Without consistent production for an entire game from Ibaka, the Thunder just can't win because of the Grizzlies' size in the paint. 

With 17 points, 14 rebounds and three blocks though, Ibaka did have a solid game. It just wasn't enough, especially on the offensive side of the ball late in the game.

Overall Grade: B-

Zach Randolph, PF Grizzlies 

With 10 points, six rebounds (four offensive) and two assists, Zach Randolph's first-half play was a major reason why the Grizzlies weren't getting completely blown out at halftime.

Z-Bo amped up his production in the second half, ending Game 4 with 23 points and 12 rebounds (six offensive). 

While he shot 8-of-17 from the floor, he missed just one of his eight free-throw attempts, which included big free throws down the stretch of regulation. 

His defense was also stellar throughout the game, including when he stole the ball from Kevin Durant as he was trying to give the Thunder the lead with 40 seconds left in regulation.

It was a productive, complete and well-balanced game for Randolph, which included solid production in overtime that led to the Grizzlies' massive come-from-behind win.

Overall Grade: A

Centers

Kendrick Perkins, C Thunder

Zero points on 0-of-3 shooting in the first half? Yep, that sounds about right for Kendrick Perkins.

While Perkins ended the game with just two points, he also had two blocks—one of which came against Zach Randolph as he was trying to hit the game-winner at the end of regulation.

With Nick Collison on the bench, the Thunder need someone to step up with interior defense, and Perkins finally did just that. Unfortunately his defense wasn't enough to help the Thunder get a pivotal Game 4 win. 

Overall Grade: D+

Marc Gasol, C Grizzlies

It seems like Marc Gasol's been saving his best for last in every game of this series. 

He had nine points on 3-of-8 shooting and four rebounds in the first half, and as usual, he seriously picked up his production in the second half and overtime.

Gasol ended Game 4 with 23 points, 11 rebounds and six blocks. He also shot 8-of-18 from the field and 7-of-9 from the charity stripe. 

The Grizzlies relied on Gasol's offense in overtime with the game on the line, and he carried them to an absolutely huge win, with three of the Grizzlies' final five points.

With the Grizzlies leading 98-97 with 22 seconds left, Gasol knocked down a huge jumper, and the Grizzlies never looked back. 

Throughout Game 4, and the entire series for that matter, the Thunder haven't had an answer for Gasol's efficient play on both sides of the ball. And I don't see that changing anytime soon.

Overall Grade: A

Sixth Men

Kevin Martin, SG Thunder

Kevin Durant and Kevin Martin dominated the first half for the Thunder. 

Martin was the recipient of a number of solid assists from Durant en route to a solid 11-point first half.

With the game tied 76-76 at the start of the fourth quarter, Martin scored five straight points for the Thunder that gave them the lead, until Zach Randolph stole it back.

While Martin ended the game with 18 points on 6-of-12 shooting, he didn't get many solid looks down the stretch in the fourth and in overtime. His lack of high-percentage shots down the stretch put the pressure on Durant, and unfortunately he couldn't get it done.

It was a solid night for Martin, but it was a few points shy of being productive enough to tie the series up.

Overall Grade: B

Jerryd Bayless, PG Grizzlies 

In the final minute of the first half, Bayless knocked down back-to-back three-pointers to keep the Grizzlies within single digits of the Thunder.

Those jumpers were absolutely monumental, as Bayless cut the Thunder's lead from double digits to single digits twice within the final 60 seconds of the first half. 

The energy that Bayless brought to the floor was a major reason why the Grizzlies were able to tie the game up at 72-72 with 1:40 left in the third quarter and ultimately help get the Game 4 win. 

In addition to his 12 total points, Bayless dished out three assists and grabbed three rebounds. He also impacted the game by pressuring guys like Reggie Jackson and Kevin Martin all night long. 

If you want to learn how to impact a game without filling the stat sheet, watch Bayless' gutsy Game 4 performance.

Overall Grade: B

Benches

Oklahoma City Thunder Bench

Nick Collison was a monster in the paint for the Thunder throughout the first two quarters. 

In just eight minutes of action, he scored six points and grabbed three rebounds (two offensive). His impact wasn't limited to the offensive side of the ball, as he dominated the interior with two blocks in the first half.

While Derek Fisher knocked down a big three-pointer in overtime to bring the Thunder within one, he also committed a terrible turnover with OKC down three and under 21.1 left in the game.

Fisher's three points on 1-of-5 shooting from the field and Collison getting fouled out in the fourth quarter certainly hurt the Thunder, especially down the stretch.

Overall Grade: C-

Memphis Grizzlies Bench 

Darrell Arthur and Jerryd Bayless combined for 15 points on 5-of-14 shooting from the field, but the energy they brought to the floor was more important for the Grizzlies.

There wasn't much more production from the Grizzlies bench, but with the starting five playing as well as they did, the Grizzlies didn't need much from their second unit.

Hustle, energy and emotion are all you can ask for from guys coming off the bench, and that's what the Grizzlies' second unit brought to the floor in Game 4.

Overall Grade: B