Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) pumps his fist as he heads back up the court following a three point basket in his Game 7 of an opening-round NBA basketball playoff series against the Memphis Grizzlies in Oklahoma City, Saturday, May 3, 2014.OKLAHOMA CITY – Kevin Durant got back to playing like he’s used to against a Memphis team that had to change things up at the worst possible time.
Durant scored 33 points, Russell Westbrook had a triple-double, and the Oklahoma City Thunder beat the Grizzlies 120-109 on Saturday night in Game 7 of their first-round Western Conference playoff series.
Durant looked like his usual self after struggling against Memphis’ rugged defense for much of the series. The regular-season scoring champion made 12 of 18 field goals and all five of his 3-pointers after struggling from long range throughout the series.
“I got out of my own way,” he said. “I was thinking too much. I was worrying about what you guys (the media) were saying. I was worrying about what shots I was going to shoot throughout a game. I was thinking too much, and the game of basketball is played off of instincts.
“I just released everything and enjoyed myself. And I knew if I just put the work in for my team, the results would show.”