262: Worse is yet to come
The second loss of the season to the San Antonio Spurs left the Grizzlies players feeling a little nervous.
This season's Spurs are really hard to mess with, Tim. Duncan is getting braver and braver, and at the age of 36, he can still get back in shape.
Kawaii. Leonard, a rookie, has also somewhat solved the problem of the Spurs' weakness in the No. 3 position. Leonard was unknown in the draft, but now has a small reputation. His stats aren't impressive, but his defensive ability and occasional explosive stats are something to talk about.
And Link knew that guy could do more than that.
After losing to the Grizzlies in the Western Conference semifinals last season, it was said that the Spurs dynasty was coming to an end and that the myth of GDP immortality was about to be shattered.
Now, however, the Spurs are second in the West, beating countless tough opponents. It seems that they still have the ability to turn the world upside down in the west!
San Antonio Spurs are never that simple.
It's February, and the schedule is still tormenting the nerves of all 30 teams across the league.
On February 1, the Grizzlies were greeted by a round of back-to-backs. No. 2 is playing the Hawks in Atlanta, and No. 3 is about to fly to Oklahoma to play the Thunder. During this period, in addition to sleeping, you will need to fly for at least two hours.
After the Thunder, it's not over. No. 4 didn't play, but No. 5, the Grizzlies had to fly from the West to the East Coast to challenge the Eastern giants Boston Celtics away. No. 6, the Grizzlies continued to return to their home court back-to-back. And this time their opponent, Hollins takes very seriously - it is the San Antonio Spurs again!
The back-to-back schedule has become increasingly frustrating, starting with home back-to-backs and then Western Conference back-to-backs. Now, it's a back-to-back race across the east and west!
From Boston to Memphis, there are no direct flights from civil aviation at all, and you have to make a connection. It takes about five or six hours to sit down!
Grizzlies players have private nonstop flights available, but they still need more than three hours to fly.
After beating the difficult Celtics, he immediately took a plane back to Memphis for more than three hours, and then slept and played Spurs again......
The picture was too beautiful for Hollins to even think about.
You don't have to fight to know that the game that day is going to be very tough. Either way, Hollins needs to get a win off the Spurs.
The Spurs are still a potential opponent for the Grizzlies in the playoffs, and Hollins doesn't want to go into the playoffs with a total loss.
Just looking at these schedules, Hollins felt that it was difficult enough. But the harder part is still to come......
On Feb. 2, they beat the Atlanta Hawks, and although it was a long way to go, the Grizzlies still slaughtered the opponent cleanly 96-77.
Losing to the Spurs in the last game, the Grizzlies players were already aggrieved. When I met a soft persimmon today, I was sure but pinched it well.
As a result, it was directly pinched.
The Grizzlies let the Hawks not score 80 points, which is indeed a reflection of the huge difference in strength between the two sides. Kevin commenting on the game. "In the East, the Eagles may not have encountered this kind of defense," Haaland joked. ”
Link scored 21 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists today, and his scoring stats were once again a team-high.
With Randolph's form up and down due to too many busy schedules, and Guy losing his core position, Link has unwittingly become the Grizzlies' top scorer!
As a comparison, "Singles King" Joe. Johnson and Josh. Smith and the two only scored 21 points together today.
However, the Grizzlies players weren't too excited about the win over the Hawks. Because 24 hours later, they have to face the difficult thunder again.
The Thunder's No. 1 played at home, No. 2 had a day off, and No. 3 was still playing against the Grizzlies at home, so he didn't have to run around. Moreover, the Thunder are mostly youngsters. It can be said that their physical reserves are much better than those of the grizzlies.
The next day's game, Scott. With a wave of his hand, Brooks made the Thunder run and fight, completely killing the Grizzlies
In the first three quarters, the two sides played evenly matched, but in a few key rounds in the last quarter, the Grizzlies missed a few shots due to physical exhaustion, and in this way, they said goodbye to Russia City by 6 points.
The Thunder attacked fiercely in this game, Durant scored 36 points, Westbrook scored 21 points, and James. Harden scored 26 points, and the three young people broke out collectively, allowing Thunder fans to reap a coveted victory.
Link and Guy didn't play bad today, with the former having 24 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists, and the latter having 23 points, 8 rebounds and 2 assists. But the depleted physical strength allowed the Grizzlies to pass away from victory.
Although it is only a few rounds of misses, in this kind of crucial match, a few rounds are enough to decide life and death.
The Grizzlies players reluctantly returned to the locker room, losing first to the Spurs and then to the Thunder, and the Grizzlies have been getting revenge this season.
The Grizzlies and Thunder have played three games this season, with a 1-2 record. Played two games with the Spurs, and didn't win one.
Everyone was very annoyed, if they could just hold on for another 2 minutes, even if it was only 2 minutes, the grizzly bears might be able to bite off the game!
"Damn it, fuck the shrinking season!" Randolph threw his jersey to the ground in anger as soon as he returned to the locker room, and he was undoubtedly the most affected Grizzlies player this season.
Because of fitness and injuries, Randolph's form has fluctuated dramatically this year. Sometimes you can still cut 20+10, but sometimes it almost disappears. In such a situation, his stats have also dropped significantly.
Last season, he averaged 20.1 points and 12.2 rebounds per game in the regular season, but this season he only has 13.7 points and 9.2 rebounds. If it weren't for Link growing up and Guy coming back, the Grizzlies would definitely be a big hit this year.
"Okay Zack, don't be angry, you'll get fat when you're angry, look at you, your belly is getting bigger again." Link patted Randolph on the stomach, causing the frustrated teammates in the locker room to laugh.
"I ......," Randolph was speechless, and suddenly he felt out of his temper. Last season, he "teased" Link, and now it's good that Link has also begun to "tease" him.
But Randolph always felt as if something was missing, and usually after Link finished speaking, Tony . Aaron's boy will answer. Randolph looked up, but didn't notice Tony. The figure of Aaron.
Usually at the end of the game, the players go back to the dressing room. Because some people have to be interviewed, and some people like to stay on the court, it is not necessarily clear who comes back and who does not come back if you don't look carefully.
"Where's Tony?" Randolph then asked.
Link also raised his head and looked around the locker room, but he didn't see Tony. The figure of Aaron. If there is no interview, Tony. It's strange that Aaron is usually the first to go back to the locker room, but he hasn't come back until now.
"That guy isn't going to run out and fight Durant, is he? He was tortured enough by Durant today. Conley made a joke.
"Durant tortured us enough, and by the way, at the end of the game today, Tony limped a few steps after a blocked attempt. Nothing is going to happen to that guy, right? Link suddenly remembered a thoughtful detail.
With such a dense schedule, every team has frequent injuries. And today Tony. Aaron defended very hard and consumed a lot.
Link shook his head, but not a crow's mouth.
As a result, at this time, Tony. Aaron walked into the locker room with the help of the team doctor. It turned out that just Tony. Aaron went for a check-up.
"I don't think I can play the next few games, guys." As soon as you enter the door, Tony. Aaron smiled helplessly at everyone, and his ankle was swollen into ham sausage.
The kind of oversized root.
Link really wants to slap himself, this mouth has been opened!
First Arthur and Conley, then Randolph, and now Tony's teacher. This is already the fourth injured player for the Grizzlies this season.
This kind of thing would not have happened last season. This year, there have been so many surprises.
The last two games, back-to-back against Celtics and Spurs, without Toney. Alan?
Link could already imagine how desperate Hollins was now.
For some reason, Link's eyes unconsciously moved to Jimmy. Butler.