OKLAHOMA CITY -- Oklahoma City's playoff run got off to a record-setting start.
The Thunder opened a 35-point lead in the first half of Game 1 of their Western Conference playoff series against the Memphis Grizzlies on Sunday. That was the biggest first-half lead of any playoff Game 1 in the league's digital play-by-play era that goes back to 1996-97.
Oklahoma City had 35-point leads twice -- 61-26 and 63-28. The Thunder settled for a 68-36 lead at halftime, the biggest halftime lead of any playoff game in franchise history.
It was also the biggest halftime deficit ever for the Grizzlies in a playoff game.
Per ESPN research, the largest margin of victory in a playoff game in NBA history is 58 -- which was done by the Denver Nuggets over New Orleans in 2009 and the Minneapolis Lakers over the Atlanta Hawks in 1956.
The Thunder's margin soared to more than 50 points late in the third quarter; they are the sixth team in NBA history to lead by 50 points in a playoff game since 2000.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.
