Marc Gasol had a solid Game 1 in the western conference semifinals, and the Memphis Grizzlies.
The formula for Game 2 didn't work as well.
The Spaniard's subpar performance, along with decline in Zach Randolph's game, resulted in the Grizzlies losing to Oklahoma City Thunder, 111-102.
Gasol, the team's center, was 3 for 9 and had 13 points and 10 boards. Randolph and Gasol combined for 54 points in Game 1
"They attacked us and they were determined that they weren't going to let Marc and Zach beat them," Grizzlies forward Sam Young said. "They came out and every time Zach got the ball, they put so much pressure on them and contained him. Every time Marc got the ball, they made sure to bump him and pounded him and pounded him and it paid off."
Game 3 is Saturday night in Memphis.
The Grizzlies big men also had to deal with one of basketball's best players: Kevin Durant. The superstar scored 26 points.
"We did a great job of starting the game out with some big-time intensity," Durant said. "Everybody was physical.
"There was a lot of pushing and grabbing and holding from both teams, but that's the kind of game you like in the playoffs," he added.
The Thunder, the fourth-seed, played with a sense of urgency from the start.
"It was a classic desperate team, more aggressive team," Memphis coach Lionel Hollins said. "I say the desperate team usually wins, and they were the desperate team in their play, which was a sense of urgency and aggressiveness.
"They came out and attacked."
Greivis Vásquez, meanwhile, barely made an impact with just one rebound in seven minutes of play. He had no points or assists, and committed a turnover.
Based on reporting by The Associated Press.
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