Not many storybooks feature characters like Zach Randolph, so as long as the Memphis Grizzlies survive, the world will be holding its breath. This mystical and maybe even mythical run through the NBA Playoffs -- which feature only the league's second 1-8 upset in the best-of-seven era -- could come to an end at the hands of the Oklahoma City Thunder on Friday.
Thunder own a 3-2 lead over the Grizzlies, who play host on Friday (9 p.m. ET, ESPN). The teams split the previous two games at the FedEx Forum, with a triple-overtime thriller in Game 4 giving OKC the breath they needed to vault ahead with a Game 5 blow-out.
Now it's up to Memphis to preserve its last gasp. The Grizzlies looked exhausted as the Thunder ran them out of the gym at the Ford Center on Wednesday; with about half of Game 5 and a full off-day to recover, we'll likely get a more spirited effort. Vegas certainly thinks so: the Grizzlies are 1.5-point favorites.
Be sure to check out our Thunder vs. Grizzlies hub for full series coverage. For more on the Thunder, visit Welcome To Loud City. For more on the Grizzlies, visit Straight Outta Vancouver.