Grizzlies 114, Thunder 101

Zach Randolph and the Memphis Grizzlies powered their way to another playoff upset - not that he considers it one.

Randolph had a playoff career-high 34 points and 10 rebounds, Marc Gasol added 20 points and 13 boards, and the Grizzlies outmatched the Oklahoma City Thunder inside for a 114-101 victory in the opening game of the Western Conference semifinals on Sunday.

"We believe," Randolph said. "We definitely believe. Our confidence is up high. I tell the guys we can compete and play with anybody."

Just as they did in a first-round upset of top-seeded San Antonio, Randolph and Gasol provided enough punch to give eighth-seeded Memphis a road victory in Game 1.

Randolph and Gasol each scored 20 points in the same regular-season game only once this season, but did it in Game 1 against the Spurs and again to negate the Thunder's home-court advantage right from the start.

"I think we always try to do that. The thing is that it's not always possible," Gasol said. "We always try to come out and execute and play the right way. It's not always possible. Teams are going to adjust, and they're going to do something different.

"We've got to keep being hungry, keep being unselfish offensively and defensively and keep playing the right way."

Game 2 is Tuesday night in Oklahoma City.

Kevin Durant led the Thunder with 33 points and 11 rebounds. Russell Westbrook scored 29, but the All-Star tandem couldn't overcome a big advantage in the paint for Memphis.

Randolph had two games with at least 30 points and 10 rebounds in the regular season against the Thunder, as Memphis won the series 3-1. And he was at it again from the tip, scoring the Grizzlies' first seven points to provide them a lead they wouldn't relinquish.

Bulls' Thibodeau wins Coach of the Year

Tom Thibodeau waited about two decades to become an NBA head coach. It didn't take him long to be recognized as one of the best once he got the chance.

Thibodeau is the NBA's Coach of the Year after leading the Chicago Bulls to 62 wins in his first season to tie a league record set by Paul Westphal.

The Chicago Tribune first reported Thibodeau's selection, which was no surprise the way the Bulls dominated during the regular season. Now, after a tough five-game series against Indiana in the opening round, they'll open the Eastern Conference semifinals against Atlanta today.

"After being here for a year, I realize how fortunate I am to be here," said Thibodeau, a former Celtics assistant. "It's a great city, great fans, great organization, great players, and if it meant waiting 20 years to get this job, it was well worth the wait."

Center Joakim Noah said Thibodeau was "very well deserving" of the award and called him "one of the hardest workers I've ever been around.