Duncan scored eight points in a row in the second quarter, hitting 4-of-5 shooting in the opening game. But instead of a wave of counter-attacks, the Spurs were forced to fall seven points behind. Popovich was desperate, and Link used the team's offense to push the Spurs into a corner.

Maybe Link's scoring isn't as explosive, and the assist stats aren't as exaggerated. But it is an indisputable fact that he did revitalize the Grizzlies' offense.

But speaking of which, shouldn't team offense be a Spurs' specialty......

After the timeout, the Grizzlies brought Randolph back up, and Popovich was distracted again because it meant that the Grizzlies' offensive firepower would be more powerful than it had just been.

Sure enough, the rest of the game became even tougher for Spurs. First of all, with Randolph's defense, Duncan's offense can't be as easy as it was just now. Alignment of an 100-kilogram inner line and alignment of a 120-kilogram "Roshan" are two completely different concepts.

Second, the Grizzlies' offense is more varied. After Randolph returned, the Grizzlies had more offensive points. And Randolph also changed the momentum of the first quarter of the game to go head-to-head with Duncan, and became more dependent on team offense, which made Randolph play like a fish in water on the offensive end.

Randolph's performance in this year's playoffs has been really outstanding, almost superstar-calib. Cuts, hooks, jumpers...... He can use all kinds of scoring techniques.

Under the fierce offense of the Grizzlies, the Spurs trailed by 13 points at most. At halftime, the Grizzlies returned to the locker room with a 52-43 lead.

"Scoring 52 points in the first half is not the Grizzlies' usual style. They usually win on defense, but today the Grizzlies played well on the offensive end. Zach had 15 points and six rebounds in the half, and he made the Spurs' interior defense miserable. ”

"That's right, interior defense, that's the Spurs' biggest weakness this year. Blair, Bonner and McDyce couldn't hold up the Spurs' interior defense. Brazilian Split is still too young for Popovich to seem afraid to give him more minutes in the playoffs. It's not a tactical issue, it's a purely staffing issue. I think this series, the Spurs will play extremely hard. ”

Both commentators watched half the game and were worried about the Spurs' prospects. Against a close opponent, the Spurs may be able to rely on the coach's tactics or the individual play of the players to break down the opponent. But strictly speaking, the Spurs and Grizzlies are not evenly matched.

Yes, the Spurs are No. 1 in the West, but their roster is just restrained by the Grizzlies. The Spurs had the weakest interior defense, and as a result, the Grizzlies had the strongest interior offense. The Spurs have the strongest outside offense, and as a result, the Grizzlies' outside defensive chain is beyond the reach of other teams. From the No. 1 to the No. 3 position, the Grizzlies can defend everyone.

Kerr doesn't know what Popovich thinks, and in his opinion, the crisis of the Spurs' series this round is not just this match.

After the start of the second half, the Spurs played a strong attack. Richard. Jefferson finally found his groove and hit the first three-pointer to help the Spurs close the gap. Duncan then continued to make chances on the inside, while Parker made a steal on the defensive end for Conley. After a single operation, the Spurs played a wave of 10-0 in the third quarter.

However, after 10-0, the Spurs were only one point ahead. I can't help it, the pit dug in front of me is too big.

After that, the Grizzlies eased up, and Randolph began to score back-to-back goals in the restricted area, and Mayo, who came off the bench, immediately scored three points. The Spurs quickly lost their lead and were kept pressed into the fourth quarter.

During this time, the tired Duncan's offensive momentum began to wane. Parker and Ginobili had to struggle to survive the Grizzlies' tight perimeter defense. It wasn't until the end of the fourth quarter that "Red Mamba" Bonner hit two consecutive three-pointers in 41 seconds that the Spurs eased up.

Gasol Jr. was so slow that every time he faced Bonner, he would be stolen by the opponent for a few threes. At this point, the score became 90-95, and there was 1 minute and 28 seconds left in the game time. If it weren't for Bonner's two three-pointers, the Grizzlies would now still have an 11-point lead, which would have put them in complete control.

But now, everything has changed. 1 minute and 28 seconds to chase 5 points, this is an opportunity for the Spurs, who are desperate for victory!

Hollins immediately suspended the game, and the Spurs were always here. Although the whole game was suppressed on the field, at the last moment, the Spurs did not fall behind much.

After all, it's still the first in the west!

"Okay guys, you've done a good job so far, you're still leading the last 1:28 of the race, I'm so proud of you. But if you end up losing the game, trust me, others will only give you shame! We missed some opportunities just now and now I don't want to see anything like that happen again. In the last few rounds, every attack is a matter of victory or defeat. Therefore, I need you to be patient and prevent mistakes. Then, try to solve the offense in the open space. ”

After Hollins finished speaking, he looked at Link's data on the big screen. 23 points and 8 assists, two assists and a double-double. His organization and strategy today is the reason why the Grizzlies' offense is extremely smooth.

Speaking of which, rookies who can score a double-double in a single playoff game in their rookie season generally end up becoming superstars. For example, Carl. Malone, for example, Rose, for example, Duncan, who was 35 years old at this time, and so on. Originally, it was difficult to make the playoffs in his rookie season, and even James and Durant didn't do it. What's more, there are two double-doubles in the playoffs.

And such a figure seems to have never been seen in the history of the Grizzlies......

Just after the Grizzlies were blocked offensively, Hollins now wants the team to keep their offense flowing in the final moments. Otherwise, now that the Spurs are on the rise, they will definitely not be able to resist it by defense alone.

And to do that, Hollins will need to take advantage of Link's excellent offensive performance today. At the critical moment, it's up to that kid!

"Link, play the number two position when you come on the court. Sean, you play the No. 3 position, I need you to open up space outside the three-point line to take your chance! "Hollins made a substitution, and he replaced Tony with Battier. Allen, the goal is to stabilize the attack while keeping the defense as safe as possible.

Link and Battier defended well, although without Tony. Allen is so pure, but he won't have a problem dealing with a fourth-quarter Ginobili who is too physically exhausted.

"For the last one and a half minutes, Link, you take the offense. The Spurs are definitely going to step up on the inside, so we can play the ball to the outside, like you did in the second quarter. ”

The timeout was short, and before Hollins could say a word, the game resumed.

The Grizzlies players stepped onto the court, high-fives and cheers on each other, believing the Grizzlies' journey wasn't over yet.

Link was about to turn around and join his teammates, but was grabbed by Hollins by the shoulder.

"Coach?"

Hollins walked up to Link, helped him straighten his jersey, and then gave him a solemn pat on the shoulder.

"The playoffs are the stage for creating stars, Link. Now, the stage is up to you. ”

Link smiled, he certainly understood what Hollins meant.

In the last one-and-a-half-minute minute, Link needs to wrap it all up. He will prove that the number one in the West is not invincible.

The stage is there, the opportunity is there, and the rest is up to you.