Oklahoma City Thunder head into Game 6 at Memphis tonight holding the series lead for the first time in their Western Conference semi-final against the Grizzlies.
After squandering a 16-point lead in the second half and losing Game 3 in overtime, the Thunder blew a 10-point lead in the fourth quarter before winning Game 4 in triple overtime on Monday night.
But Game 5 on Wednesday night was all over well before the final buzzer as Thunder won 99-72. They were so far ahead that Kevin Durant and fellow All-Star Russell Westbrook did not play in the fourth quarter, and by the end, Durant was wearing one of the same white Thunder T-shirts as the sell-out crowd and was standing on the sidelines directing the reserves.
"Going through that kind of loss [in Game 3] moulds our character, I think, and brings us closer together," Durant, who scored 29 points, said.
"Losing Game 3 the way we did and winning Game 4 the way we did, it kind of showed what type of team we are, what type of courage and heart we have."
Westbrook, who scored 11 points in 25 minutes - half his playing time from the previous game, said "I think our confidence is at a solid level.
"We know that it's going to be loud in there [tonight] and going to be tough in a hostile environment. We've just got to go in there and play our game, defensively. If we go in with a positive mindset, I think we'll be all right."
The Grizzlies were a ragged bunch throughout Game 4 and can only hope to get re-energised by returning to the FedEx Forum with their season on the line.
Marc Gasol had 16 points to lead Memphis, who matched their lowest point total from the regular season and played like they were still drained from an emotional loss in their own building that knocked them out of control in the series.
"Not only were we physically down, we were probably down a little bit mentally, but I'm not making excuses for our group," Lionel Hollins, the Grizzlies coach, said.
"It's always better for the home team in these situations, and the team that won the game. I don't think we'll have a problem getting up for this one."
Over in the Eastern Conference, the Miami Heat will next play the winner of the Chicago Bulls and Atlanta Hawks series. The Bulls led that series 3-2 going into last night's Game 6. It marks the first time the Heat have reached the NBA semi-finals since they won the league championship five years ago. Miami advanced to the semi-finals on Wednesday, defeating the Boston Celtics, 97-87, with the help of some late baskets from LeBron James and a team-high 34 points by Dwyane Wade.
Wade also finished with 10 rebounds and five assists, James had 33 points, and Chris Bosh added 14 points and 11 rebounds as the Heat won the series 4-1.
"You can never take your foot off gas because they [the Celtics] make you fight for everything," James said.
"They are the reason why all three of us came together, that blueprint they had. They are a great team."
James and Bosh are in their first season with the Heat. After a slow start, the move to join Wade in Florida seems to be working.
James silenced critics who said he could not play well late in big games by scoring the final 10 points of the fourth quarter.
"I never even got all that with [what] everybody was saying about me in late-game situations," James said. "I know what I work hard for, and that's to be put in those positions.
"My coaching staff gave me a lot of confidence. Teammates kept giving me confidence, and I'm happy to bring it home."
Boston lost the game but got some good news as Doc Rivers, their coach, said he would like to return for another season.
"I'm a Celtic," Rivers said. "And I love our guys. I want to win again here. I'm competitive, I have a competitive group. So we'll see. That's where I'm at today. Tomorrow I may change my mind."
Analysis
Members of Syria's Alawite minority community face threat in their heartland after one of the deadliest days in country’s recent history. Read more
Quick pearls of wisdom
Focus on gratitude: And do so deeply, he says. “Think of one to three things a day that you’re grateful for. It needs to be specific, too, don’t just say ‘air.’ Really think about it. If you’re grateful for, say, what your parents have done for you, that will motivate you to do more for the world.”
Know how to fight: Shetty married his wife, Radhi, three years ago (he met her in a meditation class before he went off and became a monk). He says they’ve had to learn to respect each other’s “fighting styles” – he’s a talk it-out-immediately person, while she needs space to think. “When you’re having an argument, remember, it’s not you against each other. It’s both of you against the problem. When you win, they lose. If you’re on a team you have to win together.”
Stormy seas
Weather warnings show that Storm Eunice is soon to make landfall. The videographer and I are scrambling to return to the other side of the Channel before it does. As we race to the port of Calais, I see miles of wire fencing topped with barbed wire all around it, a silent ‘Keep Out’ sign for those who, unlike us, aren’t lucky enough to have the right to move freely and safely across borders.
We set sail on a giant ferry whose length dwarfs the dinghies migrants use by nearly a 100 times. Despite the windy rain lashing at the portholes, we arrive safely in Dover; grateful but acutely aware of the miserable conditions the people we’ve left behind are in and of the privilege of choice.
LILO & STITCH
Starring: Sydney Elizebeth Agudong, Maia Kealoha, Chris Sanders
Director: Dean Fleischer Camp
Rating: 4.5/5
WOMAN AND CHILD
Director: Saeed Roustaee
Starring: Parinaz Izadyar, Payman Maadi
Rating: 4/5
Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
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The years Ramadan fell in May
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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In Full Flight: A Story of Africa and Atonement
John Heminway, Knopff
What are the influencer academy modules?
- Mastery of audio-visual content creation.
- Cinematography, shots and movement.
- All aspects of post-production.
- Emerging technologies and VFX with AI and CGI.
- Understanding of marketing objectives and audience engagement.
- Tourism industry knowledge.
- Professional ethics.
Results:
5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 2,200m | Winner: AF Al Montaqem, Bernardo Pinheiro (jockey), Ernst Oertel (trainer)
5.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 1,200m | Winner: Daber W’Rsan, Connor Beasley, Jaci Wickham
6pm: Handicap (PA) Dh85,000 1,600m | Winner: Bainoona, Fabrice Veron, Eric Lemartinel
6.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 1,600m | Winner: AF Makerah, Antonio Fresu, Ernst Oertel
7pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 | Winner: AF Motaghatres, Antonio Fresu, Ernst Oertel
7.30pm: Handicap (TB) Dh90,000 1,600m | Winner: Tafakhor, Ronan Whelan, Ali Rashid Al Raihe
The five pillars of Islam
THREE
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MATCH INFO
Everton 0
Manchester City 2 (Laporte 45 2', Jesus 90 7')
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Bundesliga fixtures
Saturday, May 16 (kick-offs UAE time)
Borussia Dortmund v Schalke (4.30pm)
RB Leipzig v Freiburg (4.30pm)
Hoffenheim v Hertha Berlin (4.30pm)
Fortuna Dusseldorf v Paderborn (4.30pm)
Augsburg v Wolfsburg (4.30pm)
Eintracht Frankfurt v Borussia Monchengladbach (7.30pm)
Sunday, May 17
Cologne v Mainz (4.30pm),
Union Berlin v Bayern Munich (7pm)
Monday, May 18
Werder Bremen v Bayer Leverkusen (9.30pm)
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
More on Quran memorisation:
The specs: 2018 Infiniti QX80
Price: base / as tested: Dh335,000
Engine: 5.6-litre V8
Gearbox: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 400hp @ 5,800rpm
Torque: 560Nm @ 4,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 12.1L / 100km
Results
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if you go
The flights
Etihad, Emirates and Singapore Airlines fly direct from the UAE to Singapore from Dh2,265 return including taxes. The flight takes about 7 hours.
The hotel
Rooms at the M Social Singapore cost from SG $179 (Dh488) per night including taxes.
The tour
Makan Makan Walking group tours costs from SG $90 (Dh245) per person for about three hours. Tailor-made tours can be arranged. For details go to www.woknstroll.com.sg
Mica
Director: Ismael Ferroukhi
Stars: Zakaria Inan, Sabrina Ouazani
3 stars
The five pillars of Islam
Brave CF 27 fight card
Welterweight:
Abdoul Abdouraguimov (champion, FRA) v Jarrah Al Selawe (JOR)
Lightweight:
Anas Siraj Mounir (TUN) v Alex Martinez (CAN)
Welterweight:
Mzwandile Hlongwa (RSA) v Khamzat Chimaev (SWE)
Middleweight:
Tarek Suleiman (SYR) v Rustam Chsiev (RUS)
Mohammad Fakhreddine (LEB) v Christofer Silva (BRA)
Super lightweight:
Alex Nacfur (BRA) v Dwight Brooks (USA)
Bantamweight:
Jalal Al Daaja (JOR) v Tariq Ismail (CAN)
Chris Corton (PHI) v Zia Mashwani (PAK)
Featherweight:
Sulaiman (KUW) v Abdullatip (RUS)
Super lightweight:
Flavio Serafin (BRA) v Mohammad Al Katib (JOR)
Most sought after workplace benefits in the UAE
- Flexible work arrangements
- Pension support
- Mental well-being assistance
- Insurance coverage for optical, dental, alternative medicine, cancer screening
- Financial well-being incentives
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
