In the 10th minute of the fourth quarter, the Federal Express Arena in Memphis was still packed.

At this point, the difference between the two sides has become 20 points. With only two minutes left in the game, the outcome was already decided.

Contrary to what most people think, the 20-point lead is not the stronger Utah Jazz on paper, but the Memphis Grizzlies, who are considered to be certain to lose today after losing their star in the world.

If the game had been played at the Energy Solutions Arena in Salt Lake City, it would have been estimated that half of the fans would have left the stadium early. But in Memphis, no fan left because the game was out of suspense.

Because at the Federal Express Arena, people haven't enjoyed such a big win for a long time.

At this point, on the court, Link got the basketball, and he was the offensive core of the current lineup. Because the outcome of the game has long been decided, Lionel . Hollins replaced the other starters early. After all, tomorrow the Grizzlies have to go to Los Angeles to play the defending champion Lakers back-to-back.

And Hollins kept Link on the court to avoid a last-minute rollover by the Grizzlies.

As it turned out, Link did his job well. In the final minutes, Link was tasked with scoring and defending. He successfully assisted Millsap twice in a row, completely ruining the Jazz's hopes of a comeback.

Seeing Link possess the ball, the Grizzlies fans collectively climaxed. Today, the No. 0 rookie, who played his first start, did not disappoint them. If the first half of this match belonged to the black and white bears, then the second half belonged to Link.

His masterful offensive skills and accurate three-pointers always attract cheers. In the second half, Link made three three-pointers in one go. So far, he's scored a career-high 22 points.

With a score of 20, Link had already achieved his small goal three minutes earlier.

Therefore, seeing Link holding the ball again, Memphis fans only have love in their eyes. The fans here only care if you can contribute to the team, not if you are yellow-skinned.

At this point, Hollins had already made Sam. Yang went to the sidelines to prepare. He now doesn't have to worry about the Jazz being able to reverse the score, and Link's mission is over.

Sam. Young stood on the sidelines with some reluctance, and after only a few games, he was about to play a substitute for a draft loser......

But before that, Link still has to complete this attack.

At this time, the Jazz had little to resist. Anyway, they are going to lose, and everyone wants to play and leave Memphis casually.

As a result, Link didn't have a tough defense. The person defending him at this time is called Kyle. Weaver, a temporary worker like Link.

That's right, Gordon. Hayward and Russian Kirilenko have both been beaten by Link. Jerry. Sloan didn't let his two forwards go up and die in garbage time, and if they continued to be abused like this by Link, the morale of these two guys would definitely be hit.

Kirilenko and Hayward, one too old, the other too young. And Link is precisely the combination of sophisticated experience and a young and healthy body, which makes Kirilenko and Hayward very embarrassed.

Faced with the defense of a development league player, Link didn't even call for cover, and shook off the shot gap very easily. Link is a player who can score 52 points in the Development League, so he can play against Kyle. Weaver is a handy NBA temporary worker.

Dangling out of gap, hitting the inside, sideways dodging blocks, and making light layups. Link's movements are all in one go, his attacks are always unfazed, but he can score.

By 24 points, Link became the second-highest scorer for the Grizzlies today, even surpassing Mark. Gasol and Mike. Conley. The Jazz were stopped, and it seems that Jerry. Sloan also wanted to switch to an all-bench lineup, and he conceded his defeat as the Jazz lost a game they had to win. ”

After Cole finished speaking, he picked up Link's data sheet. 24 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 steals, 1 block, all five technical statistics have data. The only fly in the ointment was that Link had 2 turnovers, a bad pass, and one was pulled out by Hayward.

But overall, it's still flawed. In the history of the NBA, there have been many successful counterattack drafts. Wallace, Raja. Bell, Bruce. Bowen et al. They didn't start from a high level, but now they're all famous.

Kerr believes that if Link can keep up this performance, then he will be the most successful of those names.

Because he is the most versatile one in this group of undrafted drafts. Not only can he defend, he can do the dirty work, but he can also score 24 points on the head of a rookie who is much higher than him.

"Cole, what do you think of this game? Was it the Jazz's lack of preparation? Or is it because of the contradictions between Delon and Sloane that caused all this? "The timeout is over, the game continues, but Reggie . Miller is already doing his post-game summary with Kerr.

"Ill-prepared? Contradiction? No, is it so difficult to admit that the Grizzlies won by strength? It was a positive victory, and the Memphis haven't given up on their dream of making the playoffs. Colburn also wanted to say that it was Link's excellent play that helped the Grizzlies win a big victory, but then I thought about it, and it was still for Reggie. Miller, save face.

After all, before the start of the second half, this guy said that Hayward had successfully contained Link...... What is contained? Do you get 30 points to curb a losing draft?

And just like that, Link walked through the final minutes of the game on the bench. The first time I played as a starter, the first time I could rest in garbage time, and the first time I was praised by all my teammates off the field.

Although his performance today is not great in the NBA as a whole, it still gives Link a great sense of accomplishment.

"Boy, when are you going to sign a guaranteed contract with the team?" Before the end of the game, Randolph, who was sitting next to Link, asked seriously.

The Big Black Bears had 27 points and 17 rebounds today, another big double-double, the highest score of the day for the Grizzlies.

Link stretched out his hand and counted the time, and the second ten-day contract had been executed for five days before he knew it. In other words, in five days, if all goes well, he will be able to get a multi-million dollar contract!

"Probably five days from now." Link replied honestly.

"Really? When the time comes, we need to celebrate. Randolph winked at Link, not knowing what bad ideas the guy had again.

In the midst of small talk, the electronic beep sounds, and the game is over. 118 to 96, the Utah Jazz was massacred in Memphis. After the game, a reporter found that Delong. Williams and Jerry. Sloane argued. It seems that the loss in this game may hasten the dissolution of the Jazz.

Link, as the Grizzlies' best player other than Randolph, is naturally also sought after by reporters.

"How do you feel about beating another lotto show?"

"How did you do that by scoring 24 points on your first start?"

"Do you think you'll be able to play so well tomorrow at Staples?"

Faced with these questions, Link was a little overwhelmed. He didn't want to think about it, he just knew that he was getting closer and closer to a formal contract.

At the end of the live broadcast, Link was also talked about the most by Kerr, "So far, Link is the fourth first-year rookie to score 20+ points in the NBA in addition to Griffin, Wall and Cousins. However, two of the above three are champions, and one has almost unlimited firing rights. It's not easy for Link to appear on this list. But the truth is, he was one of the best rookies of the year. ”

Cole's conclusion undoubtedly gave a lot of media fodder for Link. The fourth rookie to score 20+ points this season was actually a draft loss, which is topical enough just to think about.

Rudy in a suit watching the game from the sidelines. Guy watched the team win four in a row, but he was not very happy, he was a little anxious. As soon as the game was over, he approached the team doctor and head coach Hollins and said he had to play for tomorrow's game. Even if the injury is not good, you have to play.

This guy is afraid that he will end up with Sam. Yang one is down. The threat of losing the draft is already looming to the starting position.