Five Hundred and Sixty-Two: Hit, Hit an Iron

The Thunder and the Grizzlies were originally two teams that couldn't compete with each other. Although both are in the West, the Thunder are young and full of potential, while the Grizzlies are bleak all year round.

But since the Grizzlies signed Link two years ago, the fortunes of the two teams have also been magically intertwined.

The two sides met in the first round of the playoffs two years ago. At that time, the Thunder was still young, only playing in the playoffs for the second time. As a result, they were very ambitious and were eliminated by the Grizzlies in the first round, and Kevin Durant held a grudge. Last year, the two sides met in the Western Conference finals. As a result, after seven hard fights, the winner was decided.

The tragic round of the series is still fresh in my memory. Every game was very intense, and the two teams forged a relationship. In the regular season this season, the Thunder broke the Grizzlies' unbeaten record at home. Kevin Durant's lore in the last 0.9 seconds of the FedEx Arena completely wiped out the possibility of the Grizzlies creating a miracle.

In the past three years, the two teams have won and lost with each other. And this year, when both sides are at their peak, they can finally come to an end.

Before the game, Link's words to Durant got the ESPN staff excited. If this passage is broadcast during the pause later, it will definitely lead to a further increase in the ratings.

Link and Durant have taken the game to an all-time high, and no series has been as high-profile as it is today. It is estimated that only the finals after that have such a viewing effect.

The two sides had already fought a war of words before the game, and the dialogue between Durant and Link was a classic. The way they fought each other in the playoffs even reminded fans of the days of Larry Bird and Michael Jordan.

Violent before the game, naturally he will not be soft-hearted during the game. The Grizzlies opened their first offense, and Durant posted it in front of Link!

In the past, the Thunder would try to use Severosa and others to defend Link. But now, Durant will follow Link's side from the first second of the game.

Although Durant is only a year older than Link, he has been selected to the All-NBA First Team three times. If nothing else this year, he will be selected for the fourth time. Such an honor is enough to prove Durant's powerful strength.

Of course, this is also the disadvantage of older rookies. Link started later than others, there is really no way.

As a guy who has been defined as a superstar early on, Durant's defense is naturally not bad. His physical condition is there, and the defense won't be too bad.

Link faced Durant as if he were facing a wall. But after a few years of confrontation, Link has become accustomed to Durant's defensive area.

Durant was not polite to Link, and prevented Link from receiving the ball at the beginning of the game.

"It seems that KD doesn't plan to give himself strength. On the defensive end, he also decided to do his best." Mike Brin didn't expect that Durant worked so hard as soon as he came up. It seems that the expectations of the fans will not be lived up to.

Link was not in a hurry, he simply didn't catch the ball in the first round. In the end, Gasol played Perkins in the low post.

Perkins, like Tony Allen, was a member of the 2008 champion Celtics. Also, they are all important defensive players.

But Tony Allen is still strong now, and Perkins' deterrence in the penalty area has gradually declined due to injuries.

Now, Perkins' movement speed and bounce are far less than they used to be. In the case of hard power and weight, Gasol does not suffer.

"Fuck, I can't catch the ball! Aren't you going to make a fuss? Come on!" Although the Grizzlies scored, it still didn't affect Durant's trash talk at Link. As long as the ball is not scored by Link, Durant thinks he is not a loser!

Link did not respond, but quickly retreated, not forgetting to give Gasol a high five.

Durant gritted his teeth, since Link didn't attack, he's welcome! Today, he scored ahead of Link!

Westbrook crossed the midfield line unhurriedly,

He's watching Durant's position. Westbrook is not stupid. Sometimes he just wants to take responsibility too much, so it is easy to do some hot-headed things.

But when calmed down, Westbrook is undoubtedly a good player.

Durant raised his long arm beyond the right 3-point line, signaling Westbrook to give the ball.

But just as Westbrook passed the ball out, Link slammed into Durant very roughly!

He also doesn't plan to save energy on the defensive end!

"Eh? Today, the Grizzlies played against Durant on the defensive end, and it was Link? I thought they would let Iguodala guard Durant, and then completely liberate Link on the offensive end. "Mike Brin was a little surprised. Usually, isn't Iguodala going to help Link top the opponent's top scorer.

Originally, the Grizzlies also arranged for Iguodala to guard Durant today. But Link went to the fight himself and wanted to defend Durant himself.

It's not that Link doesn't trust Iguodala's defensive ability, but that Link hopes to consume Durant's physical strength as soon as he comes up. Iguodala's defense is good, but it's definitely not as rough as Link's defense. After all, Iguodala didn't have the kind of hostility Link had when facing Durant.

After Durant was out of breath, Iguodala and Tony Allen and others took over.

For Durant, the Grizzlies have prepared several people to fight with him!

Durant thought he could easily catch the ball, but he was suddenly and rudely pushed by Link like this. As a result, Durant did not catch the ball properly, and when he took the basketball down, the ball was a little unstable.

"Oops!" Durant secretly cried out in his heart. If it was against other defenders, the ball would be a near miss at best. But in the face of Link, Durant knew that any flaws would be fatal!

Sure enough, at the moment when the basketball was out of control, Link stuck out his long arm!

Durant hurried to shoot the ball, but it was too late, the basketball had been stabbed away by Link.

"Steal, Link steals KD as soon as he comes up. Haha, this is really a wonderful defensive battle! KD must be careful, he must always be on his nerves. Facing the Grizzlies' defense, he was a little stunned and made mistakes, It's all deadly!"

Accompanied by Mike Brin's shout, Link, who grabbed the basketball, passed the ball to Iguodala who quickly inserted.

Link went to defend the opponent's top scorer, and Iguodala replaced Link as the sharp knife in the transition offense.

Durant instantly dreamed back to a year ago, which was also the Western Conference finals. That suffocating defense is now back!

Every offensive possession against the Grizzlies seems to be out of breath.

Iguodala was not polite to Link, and accelerated frantically after receiving the basketball! And the entire Thunder can keep up at present, only Westbrook.

Even though Westbrook is playing the No. 1 position, he is still very physically fit, and he can still occasionally go after him.

This time, Westbrook also hopes to complete the block with his explosive jump. However, Iguodala, who has always been very low-key, is also an out-and-out dancer!

Iguodala jumped up with the ball in both hands, and in the air, Westbrook and Iguodala collided violently.

However, Iguodala's body didn't even twist. In terms of strength, Iguodala is no weaker than Westbrook!

Westbrook's hands couldn't touch the basketball at all, and he couldn't change Iguodala's dunk stance. In the end, he could only witness Iguodala's dunks in the air, in this best viewing position!

"Boom!" The basket made a loud noise, and the backboard sank a few centimeters.

Iguodala's veins bulged and he roared before he was willing to let go.

This dunk is magnificent!

"Beautiful counter-attack, steals and assists from Link. Andre Iguodala averaged only 13 points per game during the regular season, which is not impressive. But if you think he's just a defensive player, you're wrong. Very wrong!"

"How is it? Are you still making noise?" Link smiled at Durant, and he made a mistake as soon as he came up. This guy must be unhappy.

"It's just the beginning, idiot!" Durant replied angrily, waiting for the second attack to begin.

But this time, Durant is still unable to move an inch. Link posted too closely and was unreasonable, just trying to kill you!

You turn towards me and run with you, and you hit me with your back to fight. Once he finds a chance to regain the ball, Link will throw his body to the floor at any time, and he will complete the steal no matter how much he pays...

In the face of this fatal defense, Durant couldn't get the chance to score easily, and he had to be tense throughout the whole process.

If you don't pay attention, the ball will be gone.

But human energy is limited. One or two rounds, one quarter or two, Durant can still concentrate. But how long? Even Durant didn't know what to expect.

Under Link's unfriendly defense, Westbrook decided to make his own jumper. But his "zombie jumper" didn't work and was interrupted by Conley.

The imposing Thunder did not score in two consecutive rounds, and the Thunder and Thunder have each missed once now.

As soon as the game opened, the Grizzlies put their terrible defense completely in front of the Thunder!

The purpose of this game for the Grizzlies is very simple, not to attack the Thunder, but to grind the defense with you!

Durant is aggrieved, although he did not score in only two rounds, it is normal. But the process of not scoring was really frustrating.

He couldn't even catch the ball in two rounds, and Westbrook couldn't get rid of Conley's entanglement. Durant just wants to break the scoring drought as soon as possible, otherwise it will be his turn to panic!

But Durant also knows that if he wants not to be pulled away, he can't let the Grizzlies score! As a result, Durant worked harder on the defensive end, which made Link have no good results.

Then, the goal-scoring battle that the fans expected, turned into an iron-clad battle.

Five minutes before the game, the Thunder made 0 of 10 shots and did not score for five minutes!

But the Grizzlies weren't much better. With Link locked, the Grizzlies only scored eight points in five minutes.

Played for a while and the score was only 8-0...

Five minutes later, Thunder coach Scott Brooks couldn't take it anymore, and he finally called the game off.

However, Link, who also did not score a point, gave a high-five to his teammates.

It's true that the 8-0 score wasn't a good one, and the Grizzlies' shooting percentage was a bit of a concern.

But all of this is going according to the original plan.

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