Grizzlies dethrone the Kings of the West.

These two teams battled each other two years ago and fought a nail-biting seven game second round series. This year, the fifth seeded Memphis Grizzlies get their retribution as the knock off the top seed in the West as well as the reigning Western Conference Champions, the Oklahoma City Thunder in five games to advance to the Western Conference Finals for the first time in franchise history. The Grizzlies also avenge their loss in 2011 against the Thunder in empathic fashion taking four straight wins after dropping Game 1 on the road.

 Photos ©NBA

The Thunder who rode out the loss of their All-Star point guard Russell Westbrook in their first round series against the Houston Rockets managed to get into the second round after defeating the Rockets in six games. The Thunder had to rely more on Kevin Durant to score the basketball with Westbrook out for the rest of the playoffs. They managed to win Game 1 on their home floor with a clutch jumper by Kevin Durant. Unfortunately, it ended up as their only win of the series as the Grizzlies took the next four games including two games on their own home floor in Loud City. Their quest for redemption comes to a bitter and early end.

As for the Grizzlies, after getting redemption against the Los Angeles Clippers in the first round. They continued to play their style of Grit 'n Grind in their series against the Thunder as they continued to play physical for the entire course of the series. After dropping Game 1 on the road, they responded emphatically as they won the next four games on their way to the Western Conference Finals for the first time in franchise history. They also kept themselves undefeated at "The Grindhouse" FedEx Forum as they are 5-0 at home in the NBA Playoffs. With a mix of defensive stalwarts like DPOY Marc Gasol, Tony Allen and Tayshaun Prince as well as an offensive boost from Zach Randolph, Mike Conley and Jerryd Bayless to name a few. These guys play great defense, and as quoted by Bruce Bowen once "Defense wins championships." Now, the road to the championship continues for this team that loves to grind and play tough defense.

The Grizzlies will face the winner of the series between the San Antonio Spurs and the Golden State Warriors. The Spurs currently have a 3-2 series lead over the Warriors and they got a shot of winning the series tomorrow.

As for the Thunder, their quest to return to the NBA Finals comes to an end. They will have Russell Westbrook back healthy next season. However, this team could undergo personnel changes along the way, as an eery silence will loom in Loud City as their off-season begins earlier than most people expect.

Here are the scores from all games of the series:

GAME 1 @ Oklahoma City: Grizzlies 91-93 Thunder

Grizzlies leaders:

Points: Gasol 20, Randolph 18, Conley 13, Pondexter 13

Rebounds: Gasol 10, Randolph 10, Conley 5, Pondexter 5, Prince 5

Assists: Gasol 3, Conley 3, Pondexter 3

Thunder leaders:

Points: Durant 35, Martin 25, Jackson 12

Rebounds: Durant 15, Martin 7, Perkins 7

Assists: Durant 6, Perkins 3, Jackson 2

GAME 2 @ Oklahoma City: Grizzlies 99-93 Thunder

Grizzlies leaders:

Points: Conley 26, Gasol 24, Randolph 15

Rebounds: Conley 10, Randolph 8, Allen 7

Assists: Conley 9, Gasol 5, Randolph 3

Thunder leaders:

Points: Durant 36, Fisher 19, Ibaka 11

Rebounds: Durant 11, Perkins 6, Ibaka 5, Jackson 5

Assists: Durant 9, Sefolosha 3, Jackson 2

GAME 3 @ Memphis: Thunder 81-87 Grizzlies

Thunder leaders: 

Points: Durant 25, Jackson 16, Ibaka 13, Martin 13

Rebounds: Durant 11, Ibaka 10, Jackson 10

Assists: Durant 5, Jackson 2, Sefolosha 2

Grizzlies leaders:

Points: Gasol 20, Conley 14, Allen 14

Rebounds: Randolph 10, Gasol 9, Conley 7

Assists: Conley 6, Gasol 4, Randolph 2, Bayless 2

GAME 4 @ Memphis: Thunder 97-103 (OT)

Thunder leaders:

Points: Durant 27, Martin 18, Ibaka 17

Rebounds: Ibaka 14, Durant 7, Martin 5, Sefolosha 5

Assists: Jackson 8, Durant 7

Grizzlies leaders:

Points: Conley 24, Randolph 23, Gasol 23

Rebounds: Randolph 12, Gasol 11, Allen 6

Assists: Conley 5, Prince 5, Randolph 3, Bayless 3

GAME 5 @ Oklahoma City: Grizzlies 88-84 Thunder 

Grizzlies leaders:

Points: Randolph 28, Conley 13, Allen 11

Rebounds: Randolph 14, Conley 7, Gasol 7

Assists: Conley 11, Randolph 2, Allen 2, Bayless 2

Thunder leaders:

Points: Durant 21, Ibaka 17, Jackson 16

Rebounds: Jackson 9, Durant 8, Ibaka 8

Assists: Durant 6, Jackson 5, Fisher 3

Grizzlies win series 4-1

K-Smoove