Five Hundred and Thirty-Nine: Remember, It's Forty-Three to Nine

James Harden is now full of numbers from Link's mouth. This number will ring in Harden's ears all the time, reminding Harden how huge the gap between him and Link is.

McHale was spitting out and drawing a tactical board as he spoke, but Harden felt like he couldn't hear a word, and his head was full of 6-2, 6-2.

"Slow down! Let's play slower and be more patient. Don't be too anxious, we have to hit the success rate!" McHale's arrangement is equivalent to slap in the face. He was the one who slowed the players down.

I have to say that McHale's on-the-spot scheduling ability is really bad. In a situation where the lineup is not as good as the opponent, the coach can't think of a solution, which is undoubtedly very fatal.

On the other hand, the Grizzlies players relaxed a lot. In the opening rounds, they didn't let the Rockets take any advantage. Link's several wonderful strikes made the Rockets' morale even worse.

Randolph is in a good mood, and it's easy for him to deal with an undrafted pick. So, the big black bear nudged Link with his elbow when he was resting, "Hey, what did you just say to that kid Harden?"

Link wiped his sweat, his expression still serious, "It's nothing, I just want to make every point he loses unforgettable."

After all, the timeout period is over and the game continues.

Randolph glanced at Harden in the other half and sighed. Poor guy, Harden has nowhere to run today.

Harden doesn't believe that he can't even score a goal in a sport in front of Link. Anyway, he averages 25 points a game.

Harden has already thought about it. When his personal score surpasses Link's, he will also go to Link's ear to report the number!

Link did not relax because he led by 11 points in the half quarter. When the Rockets had the ball, Link was the most serious defense of everyone immediately.

He lowered his center of gravity, bent his knees, and focused his eyes. Just by seeing such a guy standing in front of him, the attacker would lose half of his confidence.

The rocket really slowed down, not rampant like just now. Harden was not in a hurry, and fought with Link in a consistent manner.

Finally, under Asik's off-ball screen, Harden flashed a bit of space to catch the ball. Jeremy Lin saw the opportunity and sent the ball from the three-point line to Harden who cut into the penalty area.

Link worked hard to defend,

But Harden was very smart to switch hands in the air, avoid the block, and score a layup!

The players on the Rockets' bench were overjoyed, and Harden finally scored an athletic goal on Link. And this is the Rockets' first goal in sports today.

Looking at the Rockets' posture, those who didn't know thought they were in the lead now.

Harden's confidence has soared, and he can really score! As long as you don't go head-to-head with Link, it's not difficult to score points.

Harden gave Link a smug look, and now the gap between them is only 2 points. After scoring two more goals, Harden promised that his voice would reach Link's ears as soon as possible!

Of course Link saw Harden's smug expression, but he wasn't angry, and even wanted to laugh.

When death is imminent, he is still complacent.

On the next offense, Link didn't make a shot, and the Grizzlies didn't score. The Rockets got the opportunity to further close the point difference. Harden rushed to the front. He couldn't wait to tie the score between himself and Link to 6-6!

The layup just now made Harden completely confident. Scoring may be late, but never absent! Now, Harden will make up the vacancy left by the previous six minutes!

Harden received a pass from Jeremy Lin and quickly ran outside the three-point line on the right. Beard held the basketball above his head, intending to use a fake shot to get Flying Link. But Link was unmoved and didn't jump at all! Just conscientiously sticking in front of Harden.

Seeing that the chance to counterattack was about to disappear, Harden anxiously took the ball and went to Riza.

But Link used his strong body to block Harden all the time, and Harden couldn't kill him at all!

No way, Harden had to return the ball to Jeremy Lin and let him reorganize the attack.

Harden thought he could catch his breath after passing the ball, but it turned out that he was too naive. Even off the ball, Link didn't make it easy for Harden.

He continued to press, as if the two of them could kiss face to face. No matter where Harden goes, Link will tirelessly chase and press.

That's the intensity of the playoffs!

This time, Harden couldn't be complacent anymore. In the first 6 minutes, Link didn't do his best to defend! Now, it is Link's state when he is fully defending!

Harden was watched to death, and Jeremy Lin was not the kind of player who likes to take risks. Unsure of the ball, he basically does not pass.

No way, Jeremy Lin finally had to call a pick-and-roll, and then made a hasty pull-up jumper himself. But unfortunately, Conley did not let Jeremy Lin get his wish. The Rockets' offense had just seen hope when it was wiped out by the Grizzlies.

Before Harden could realize what happened, Link passed by him and went straight to the frontcourt.

The Rockets wanted to play slow, but the Grizzlies deliberately pushed the tempo quickly. The Grizzlies knew that the Rockets' retreat was untimely and bad. Therefore, basically only the black and white bears are left to protect the rebounds, and the others sprint with all their strength!

Harden's good wishes were shattered in just one possession, and it seemed that the gap between him and Link was only 2 points. But this 2 points Harden wants to tie, but it is very difficult.

Link cut inside empty-handed, and when Harden caught up, he suddenly turned back and threw off the beard who was not good at defending.

Conley saw the time and pushed the ball hard with one hand, and Link caught the ball and threw it!

Although the Rockets averaged 106 points per game in the regular season and ranked second in the league, the Grizzlies' offense should be more smooth.

Harden didn't even bother to raise his hand to interfere this time, because he knew that giving Link so much space would be useless to interfere.

Link's mid-range shot is still easy, and the Rockets still have no resistance.

Randolph shook his head. Link had already scored 8 points in a single quarter. It seems that today will be another high-scoring night for Link.

It's only the first game of the playoffs, do you need to be so ruthless?

After the game, the Rockets did not stir up any waves. The Grizzlies are firmly in control of the rhythm, and the difference has been hovering around 15 points.

Link kept scoring, and Harden's defense was close to nothing for Link.

McHale even tried to defend Link with "Mad Dog" Patrick Beverley, but Link was madder than Beverley. Beverley is always only 1.85 meters tall. Once Link starts to fight with his back, "Mad Dog" has to become a Husky.

In the end, McHale accepted the fact that there was simply no player in the Rockets who could defend Link!

The score difference is getting wider and wider, and the numbers in Link's newspaper are getting more and more outrageous in Harden's ears.

10 to 4.

15 to 5.

20 to 5.

32 to 7.....

Until the ninth minute of the fourth quarter, Link held the ball again. Harden has been completely fooled at this time, and he has been blasted into scum at both ends of the offense and defense.

Harden's offense was so sloppy today that he has only scored 9 points and hit only 31.6%.

Facing Link's offense again, Harden has no confidence at all. And most importantly, Harden can't console himself yet. Because every time Link scored a goal today, he would report a number to Harden. As a result, Harden is unforgettable for every conceded ball he makes.

Link seemed to be holding a knife, instead of wiping his neck directly, he slashed Harden one by one, and successfully avoided all the key points.

Harden is very painful, but just can't die!

In a trance, Link broke through with the ball. He didn't even use too complicated dribbling moves, just an acceleration after a tentative step, and Harden was thrown away.

After Link entered the penalty area, Greg Smith's defense was obviously hesitant. It seems that he listened to Link's advice and did not come to die!

Smith has already been deducted once, and he doesn't want to "brace twice".

In this way, Link easily scored a one-handed dunk without encountering any obstacles at all.

In the stands, the reaction of the fans was very calm. Because of this kind of ball, they are not surprised today.

"Link made a dunk, and the point difference was widened to 22 points. The Rockets called a timeout. After the timeout comes back, the game should enter garbage time."

On the court, Harden had an urge to escape when he saw Link walking towards him. He knew what Link was going to say to himself, but he didn't want to hear it!

Harden just turned around and was about to flee to the bench, but Link followed in two strides.

"43-9, 43-9, James Harden. Come on, you've got 9 minutes left. That's it, I'll give you another chance at the next game to tie us. Come on, I'm watching you, come on. Remember, it's 43 to 9!"

Link kept nodding his head to emphasize his thoughts.

The final sound of "43 to 9" was deliberately accentuated.

Harden stepped up and walked away from Link. Watching Harden flee, Link smiled contentedly.

That guy's confidence should have been completely destroyed. Not just confidence in this game, but confidence in this entire series!

As long as Harden can't play, how hard is it to beat the Rockets 4-0?

Link walked off the court, high fives with his teammates, and then sat on the bench. He knew that he no longer had to play.

With 43 points, 10 rebounds and 8 assists, Link took a little more than three quarters to give the Rockets a big gift.

Hopefully, Morey will like this game.