At the end of the regular season, teams were given two days to recuperate. Two days later, the fishing was done. And it's time to fight for them, and it's time to start their most bloody time of the year.

Before the playoffs began, ESPN did a preview feature. This time, for the first time, the Memphis Grizzlies were taken seriously. In the eyes of ESPN experts, the Grizzlies have become a title challenger.

"The situation in the West is very interesting, the Spurs, Thunder and Grizzlies, all have the strength to compete for the final glory."

"In fact, we all know Kevin. Durant has long been war-on with Link. This year, Durant is eager for a rematch with James. Whoever stands in his way, he will move forward. ”

"The Grizzlies can be said to have won the regular season in a devastating way this season, and I don't know if their form will continue in the playoffs."

How far can grizzly bears go? became the biggest suspense in this year's playoffs. Finally, the whole league is experiencing the threat of this small team to the championship.

There are many opinions about whether the Grizzlies will win the championship. But there is one thing that everyone is quite unanimous about.

To quote a quote from the news, "No matter what the Grizzlies end up with, the Rockets are going to be in bad luck." ”

In the first round of the Western Conference playoffs, the first Grizzlies played against the eighth-place Rockets. It was as if the outcome of the game was predestined before it even began.

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Kevin. McHale must have been very annoyed at this time, annoyed why the Rockets failed to defeat the Lakers in the final game of the regular season.

This year, the Lakers F4 suffered a tragic Waterloo. Originally considered a title candidate, they ended up with a 45-37 record. This record is the same as the Rockets, but because the Lakers won more games against the Rockets, the Lakers ended up in seventh place.

The Rockets, on the other hand, can only play with the first place in the West.

The last time the Rockets played the playoffs was in the 08-09 season, which was also Yao Ming's last relatively complete season in the NBA.

Since then, for three consecutive years, the Rockets have been the "Lotto Champions", ninth every year, and a stable batch. This year, the Rockets finally broke free from the curse of "lotto champions" and successfully reached the playoffs.

It stands to reason that the players and coaches of the Rockets should be happy. Reaching the playoffs meant that their rebuild was an initial success.

But now, from top to bottom, the rocket is filled with an atmosphere of despair.

Indeed, even if the Rockets play against the Thunder, who are second in the West, they have no chance of winning. But truth be told, the Thunder aren't that desperate. If they run into the Thunder, the Rockets players still have the fighting spirit to try to win and create some trouble for the Thunder.

But against the grizzly bears...... Hopeless!

The Rockets know too well the Grizzlies' style, and the fact that the two teams have met four times this season and the Rockets have won 3-1 is enough to speak for themselves. And the last time the two sides met, the Rockets were completely powerless.

Thunder is the kind of person who is strong, but doesn't feel ruthless enough. Moreover, Westbrook is also a time bomb. So in the game against the Thunder, you can always feel a glimmer of life.

But grizzly bears are different, and the group of "bandits" in Memphis is strong and ruthless! As soon as they get on the court, the grizzly bears will grab their opponents and beat them until they can't get up.

So, McHale is now quite embarrassed. worked hard for a season and finally got a playoff spot. But if you get shaved in the playoffs and can't win a game, it's better to get a lotto.

Thinking of this, McHale clenched his fists. In any case, the Rockets have to peel a piece of skin off the grizzly bear!

It's all here, at least you have to play the wind of a rocket.

On the other side, the Grizzlies are also preparing in an orderly manner. Although the hard power of the Rockets is not comparable to that of the Grizzlies, Link is still very serious.

The day before the match, at a regular press conference, Link did not shy away from saying his goal.

"Win? Winning is not the goal, it is something that must be done. The goal of the first round of the series was simple, we had to sweep our opponents 4-0! If you have a hard time playing in the first round, then you don't have to play the rest of the game. ”

Link's speech can be said to be merciless, and he didn't even give Rocket a little face.

But this is also Link's character, it's good not to mess with him, once he provokes him, he is very stingy, and he has to kill his opponent.

There are not a few stars who have been abused because of quarrels or conflicts with Link.

Link spoke too directly, and naturally attracted a lot of sunspots. Some people think that after winning 70 wins, Link is too arrogant. The Rockets may not be able to win against the Grizzlies, but they will definitely cost the arrogant Link.

Link dismissed this claim, and Link, who was interviewed in the players' tunnel three hours before the game, also responded.

"Of course I'm going to pay the price, but that's going to be in the Western Conference semifinals at the earliest! If the Rockets had the ability, I'd like to experience it. ”

From the beginning, Link was hostile to the rocket. It's not for anyone else, just for Morey.

It's just unfortunate that the rest of the Rockets have to be punished for Morey.

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The playoffs are the battleground for Link's dreams. And after seeing the Rockets players in red jerseys, Link undoubtedly became more excited.

Every opportunity that made Morey want to cry, Link would not let it go easily.

Before the game began, live footage gave Link and Harden a split-screen close-up, respectively, and attached the regular season stats for both at the bottom of the screen.

Harden has made leaps and bounds this season, averaging only 16.8 points per game last season, and his average points per game this season have skyrocketed to 25.9 points! Meanwhile, Harden is averaging 5.8 assists and 4.9 rebounds per game.

Link, on the other hand, had 26.6 points, 6.5 assists and 7.0 rebounds in the regular season this season! In addition, he can also get 1.3 steals and 0.8 blocks, and the data is basically close to Grant Hill at his peak! It truly achieves the integration of offense and defense, and can do anything.

In terms of omnipotence, only James can overshadow Link.

By all accounts, Link's stats are a little better than Harden's. But overall, the gap is not too big.

However, those who often watch the game know that Link and Harden are not at the same level this season, and the gap between the actual performance of the two is much larger than the data reflects.

Harden has often been in poor form this season, shooting 20 or 30 percent from the field and not scoring in double figures.

And Link's lowest single-game score in the regular season this season is 17 points! He is at his best all the time. Rather than relying on the occasional big outburst to pull up the average figure.

If Harden's state is an undulating wavy line, Link's state is a straight line with almost no waves. In terms of stability and processing power in key moments, Harden is nowhere near Link.

But even so, the Rockets have a decent star. If Harden is in great shape today, he may be able to fight the Grizzlies.

"It's a playoff game, and in the playoffs, no one is safe until four wins. The rocket may still have a chance, and the suspense may not be over. Before the game, ESPN commentator Mike . This sentiment was echoed by Bryn. He doesn't think that rockets are lambs to the slaughter.

"Mike, how many Grizzlies games have you watched this season?" Listen to Mike. Brin said this and was especially sent to Mike. Hubbie, Brin's partner. Brown asked quippedly.

Hubi. Brown + Mike. Brin, this luxurious commentary lineup, is enough to show how seriously ESPN is taking the Grizzlies right now.

"I didn't see much, but during the regular season, I came to Memphis to talk about two or three games." Bryn admitted.

"Hmm...... That's right. No wonder, you'll have a misconception about grizzly bears. ”

"Misunderstanding?" Mike. Brin stared at old Hubi with a wicked smile on his face, "What misunderstanding?" ”

"You mistakenly think that Team Rocket still has a chance."

On the pitch, the starters of both sides have stepped into their designated positions. On the Rockets' side, McHale did not change the lineup, and still sent Jeremy Lin, Harden, Parsons, Greg. Smith and Asik made up the starting lineup.

On paper, the rocket is basically not dominant in every position......

After kickoff, it was Asik who won the ball for the Rockets. Jeremy Lin organized after half court and finally passed the ball to Harden, who had borrowed the cover pocket.

As soon as Harden received the ball, he felt a chill run down his spine. Today, it's Link and him!

"The Grizzlies had Iguodala mark Parsons today, and Link was in front of Harden. The aces of the two teams, do they have to fight hard at the beginning? ”

Harden gritted his teeth, he had thought that his opponent today would be Iguodala. Because judging from the video analysis, in order to save Link's physical strength, Iguodala usually helps Link defend the opponent's top scorer.

But as soon as the game began, Harden received his first surprise.

"Don't be nervous, I'm not really a grim reaper." At this moment, Link smiled at Harden and said something.

Strictly speaking, this is not trash talk. Link was neither swearing nor mocking. But this ordinary sentence only made Harden more afraid.

That guy actually saw that he was nervous!

Harden finally chose to break through the ball and didn't go toe-to-toe with Link. As the Rockets' top scorer, Harden didn't step up in the first round.

In the end, Asik's strong attack under the basket was directly pressed down by Gasol. This year, Gasol is a strong contender for the best defensive player.

Link picks up the basketball blocked by Gasol and goes straight to the fast break!

Jeremy Lin looked at the speeding Link, a little dazed. I think last year, they also appeared in Time magazine at the same time. But now, the two are very different.

Link quickly pushed to the basket and the Rockets' overall defense was very, very bad. Just as Link was about to attack the frame, the sophomore draft pick Greg Murphy was left undrafted. Smith made it to the basket.

Smith is an athletic interior lineman who can't do anything, just run and jump. He naturally hopes that he can successfully block Link with his good running and jumping ability, and the playoffs are a stage for fame!

But as soon as Smith jumped, he found that his so-called "advantage" was not worth mentioning in front of Link!

The athleticism he is proud of is completely scum in front of Link!

"It's over......" Smith muttered in his heart as he watched Link, whose jump height and speed completely overwhelmed him.

The next second, Link slammed into it and dunked the ball into the frame through Smith. Smith was ejected from the bottom line by the huge impact and fell under the basketball hoop in embarrassment.

He knew he was being sucked up!

"As soon as it opened, it was staged to separate people! Link is very dangerous today, don't get close to it! ”

After Link landed, he walked up to Smith, who was still sitting on the ground, looked at him condescendingly, and shook his head slightly.

"Promise me, don't do this stupid thing again, okay? I'm really afraid of hurting you. Damn, do you really think you're going to be able to stop me? ”

Mike on the commentary podium. Brin covered his forehead, he was a little embarrassed about Smith. I didn't expect that Link would be so irritable as soon as he came up, this is not giving the rocket a chance at all.

Hubi. Brown is right, it seems that he does have some misunderstandings about the Grizzlies.