Eight Hundred and Forty-Two: Fifty-One Points Is Not Enough

Latest website: During halftime, there was silence in the Rockets locker room.

Howard gasped and stared at the floor in a daze, no one knew what he was thinking.

Harden bit his lip. He didn't seem happy at all after scoring 16 points in the half.

Motiejunas sat in front of his cabinet expressionlessly, as if thinking about life. He originally thought that he had become stronger, but now he felt as if he was an ant.

Kevin McHale was also silent. Normally, this game would never be played like this.

Randolph was injured, Gasol was in foul trouble, Tobias Harris was overtired, and Ezeli couldn't be reused. The Grizzlies' interior is a mess, and the Rockets, with Howard and Motiejunas, should be able to penetrate the Grizzlies' interior.

The results of it? Motajunas swallowed eggs in the first half and couldn't even make the required dunk. Howard drove high and went low, hitting the back and losing his dominance on both offense and defense.

Without Iguodala, the Grizzlies' bench is not deep enough. Generally speaking, it is impossible for the Grizzlies to gain an advantage on the outside.

The results of it? Tony Allen defended Harden against every wall, and Carter's precise three-pointers gave Link a huge offensive space. In the second half, after Butler, who was no longer in foul trouble, increased his playing time, the Rockets were in even more trouble.

McHale really didn't expect the Rockets to play so passively. This should be a game that they couldn't lose no matter what. Before, he had never figured out why the Rockets were playing like this.

But in the last attack before the end of the half, when Link still made the ball despite the blocks of Ariza and Howard, McHale instantly understood the reason.

Indeed, conventionally speaking, the Rockets cannot lose or fall behind.

But Link is a player who breaks away from the norm!

His singles ruined all the Rockets' plans. 30 points in the half were enough to make all strategies useless.

Ariza tried many methods to restrict Link, but all ended in failure without exception.

In front of Link, Ariza's defense was completely intimidating.

Even if Howard wants to use a foul to prevent Link from scoring, it is very difficult, because most of the time,

Howard couldn't touch Link at all.

Now, the Rockets are 5 points behind and the situation is very ugly. But McHale still doesn't believe that Link can defeat one against a hundred!

"The onslaught continued in the second half, and everyone took decisive action whenever they had the chance! The Memphis people were just hanging on for dear life. It was impossible for Link to score a second 30-point half! As long as our firepower can continue, the Grizzlies will be unable to withstand it sooner or later. !”

McHale clapped his hands and yelled, hoping to energize his players.

All the Rockets players slowly raised their heads, trying to believe what the head coach said.

"It's too early to give up now. Are you going to give up your 6-game winning streak like this? Are you going to give up the chance to compete in the finals!? Only by defeating the Grizzlies can we show that we truly have the ability to compete in the finals." Strength! Cheer up, we still have a whole half to go!"

Howard gritted his teeth and nodded silently.

Harden clenched his fists and seemed ready to fight.

Even Motiejunas became more focused, believing that he would definitely get a scoring chance in the second half.

McHale refueled the rocket and reignited the thrusters.

But in the end, they didn't actually find a way to contain Link.

McHale hopes to inspire his players with enthusiasm, but enthusiasm is not enough to defeat the two consecutive defending champions.

Another time, in the Grizzlies locker room, the entire team's focus was on Link.

"Is it okay?" Joger looked at Link with concern. 30 points at halftime is indeed beautiful, but it also means a huge consumption of physical energy.

"Don't worry, I can still handle it. Everyone, I still need the main attack in the second half. Everyone continues to open up for me, and you must seize the open opportunities!" Link knew that the game was not over yet. Leading by 5 points at halftime, there was no guarantee that the Grizzlies would have the last laugh.

Everyone nodded in agreement, and no one would compete with Link for the right to take action.

The Grizzlies didn't do anything to encourage them, they just had to believe in Link.

At the beginning of the second half, the faces of the Rockets players regained some vitality. But in the first attack, Link suppressed their newly inspired confidence.

This time, Link took a direct shot after borrowing a screen from the three-point line and hit the basketball crisply. With 33 points in a single game, he is getting closer and closer to the highest scoring record in this arena.

Subsequently, Harden successfully touched Butler, allowing Butler to continue to be restricted by foul trouble.

But now, the Grizzlies are not afraid of Harden getting involved. Because even if Harden relies on porcelain, it is already difficult to match Link on the offensive end.

Tens of seconds later, Link beat Ariza with a back-up, turned over and succeeded in a jump shot! Ariza had completely covered Link's eyes, but Link still entered. Before Ariza interfered, Link aimed at the basket. Therefore, even if the line of sight is blocked when taking action, there will be no impact at all.

At 35 points, Link's score was like the height of an adolescent child, moving up crazily.

McHale stood on the sidelines, staring at Link. He didn't believe there was a player in the world who could score so efficiently until the end. Once Link started not scoring goals, the Rockets would be able to counterattack in one fell swoop!

As a result, everything McHale didn't believe in became reality.

In the third minute of the third quarter, old Carter missed a three-pointer, and Link made a tip-in before Howard grabbed the rebound, scoring 37 points!

A minute and a half later, Link was violated by Howard and stood on the free throw line. He made two free throws and scored 39 points.

In the seventh minute of the third quarter, Lin took a tentative step and broke through the basket, pulling up for a layup to avoid being blocked, scoring 41 points. In the eighth minute, he scored 43 points on a pull-up jumper from behind the free throw line.

Jeff Van Gundy watched Link's score continue to rise, and his roar became louder and louder.

Finally, at the end of the third quarter, Link made a jump shot in a one-on-one with Francisco Garcia in the mid-range and drew a foul, giving him a chance to hit a three-pointer.

So everyone in Houston could only watch as Link increased his personal score to 46 points, tying the Toyota Center's personal single-game scoring record!

"It's a tie. Link scored today's 46th point. Although Jimmy Butler had to sit on the sidelines with 5 fouls, Link also scored Butler's points alone! The Rockets were 8 points behind. , this is not good news for them!”

Van Gundy's body couldn't help but tremble. Link tied the Toyota Center's highest scoring record. This is not the most exaggerated.

The most exaggerated thing is that there is still a whole quarter left in the game! And it's not even garbage time yet. Link will definitely continue to attack with all his strength.

So, how many points can Link get in the end?

Van Gundy is just so unpredictable.

After the start of the fourth quarter, Harden hit a three-pointer as soon as he started, and he had the momentum to lead the Rockets in a counterattack.

But soon, Link gave Harden a response ball from outside the three-point line.

Under Ariza's tight defense, Link stepped back and made a three-point jumper. It seemed that Link's shot was a forced shot. But no matter what, Link can get in!

With 49 points, the record for the highest score at Toyota Center has been refreshed. All Rockets fans covered their heads. They really wanted this nightmare to end quickly.

A minute later, Howard caused Gasol's fifth foul in the paint. So far, the Grizzlies have committed five fouls in both starters, and there is a risk of being forced off the game at any time.

The two sides fought hard to separate each other, but the Grizzlies were able to save the day every time.

Sure enough, Howard made only one of two free throws at the free throw line. After Gasol got the rebound, the Grizzlies counterattacked again. Link pushed past Ariza for an easy layup, scoring 51 points in a single game!

"Who will stop him? Who can stand up? At least do something, he has already scored 51 points!" The local Houston commentator next to Van Gundy could hardly stand it anymore. Link scored today as easily as taking a walk.

However, in fact, the Rockets have tried their best to defend Link, and Ariza has also adopted the attitude of playing in the playoffs.

But none of this helps!

Link scored a high score, but the Grizzlies still did not establish themselves as winners.

The reason is simple. Harden and Howard also worked very hard today!

They were not far away from the Grizzlies, and they didn't want to just give up the best start record in team history, so they fought with Link until the end.

In the end, Harden allowed Jimmy Butler to commit 6 fouls five minutes before the end of the game, and successfully took 18 free throws in the game!

Howard also kept up his efforts and defeated Gasol again in the next round.

At this point, the Grizzlies' already incomplete lineup has lost two more generals.

Joger immediately stopped the game. Butler and Gasol both committed six fouls. The Grizzlies were in checkmate today!

Moreover, Link, who had not rested for the entire third quarter, began to pant.

There are five minutes left in the game, and the Rockets have caught up to only 5 points. Harden and Howard tried their best today. Both of them scored 30 points today, so Link scored 51 points and still failed to win the game.

Seeing Link gasping for air, Qiaogel was in a dilemma. Without Gasol and Butler, if Link is allowed to rest, it will be difficult for the Grizzlies to stabilize the situation! But if Link is not allowed to rest, it will be difficult for him to survive to the end of the game after fighting back-to-back.

Link also didn't speak, letting large beads of sweat fall from his forehead. He was seizing every second to rest.

Qiaogel was still hesitating. He didn't know whether to replace Link. But before that, Link made the decision first.

"One minute, just give me one minute. I will come on in one minute, and then we will leave this hellish place with victory!"

Link pointed out a finger. He did need to rest, but it didn't take long.

Joger then sent out a lineup of Conley, Tony Allen, Carter, Harris and Ezeli to temporarily fight.

Seeing Link being substituted, McHale waved his hand, "Win the game before Link comes out!"

McHale has refreshed his understanding of Link again and again today. The performance of Grizzlies No. 0 amazed McHale.

But in his opinion, no matter how strong a player is, he has his limits. Now, Link has undoubtedly reached his limit.