Today, the visiting locker room at the Chesapeake Energy Arena was extra serious.

The dressing room, which used to be giggling, is now unsmiling. Even Randolph has a serious face today.

He wants to win so much that what he wants most right now is to help the Grizzlies win a playoff game, which could quite possibly be the most desperate win of his career so far.

Even Randolph is so serious, and the other playoff debuts are even more serious. Conley kept thinking back to Hollins' tactics, and he didn't want to make a mistake in the game.

Gasol Jr. has been cheering himself up, telling himself not to be afraid, even if the opponent has championship center Perkins.

Mayo, on the other hand, is eager to try, and this thing is probably still fantasizing about becoming famous in the playoffs.

Link is more looking forward to today, the Upshaws, the Blues' coach Connell and Joan. Brockman arrived at the scene. Link, naturally, wants to play well in front of these old friends, and of course, he's eager to be part of the Grizzlies' fight for their first playoff win.

As long as they win today's game, their names will occupy a pivotal place in the history of the Grizzlies.

"It's playoffs, guys. We've been working so hard for today. Fifth in the West vs. Fourth in the West, we're probably the two closest teams in the series. Don't let the Thunder's rankings and lineups on paper bluff, we were tied with them during the regular season and they didn't take advantage. Relax and don't get too nervous. Once you've gone on the pitch and found your defensive feel, I'm sure you'll be able to get into the groove very quickly. Alright, let's go for the first playoff win! ”

Hollins isn't a coach who is good at mobilizing players, so his pre-game shouting is usually unpretentious. If it were Coach Rivers now, the players would be screaming with excitement.

While Hollins isn't good at "chicken soup," he can keep his players focused. Moreover, the Grizzlies players don't need to pour chicken soup, they can ignite their own inner fire.

Link lined up with everyone in the players' tunnel, waiting for entry. Since this is the first game of the playoffs, there is a strong sense of ritual when entering the court.

Usually, everyone goes to the field to warm up and wait for the game to start. But today, after the live DJ gave the introduction, the team lined up neatly and ran out of the players' tunnel.

"Zach, look at the colors of this field." While waiting for the DJ to say his introductory speech in the players' tunnel, Link patted Randolph on the shoulder and looked around.

"What's wrong with the colors here?"

"The Thunder's main colors are white, sky blue and orange, all of which are bright hues, which make them look like they are glamorous and decent in the movies. And we, wearing a black jersey, are about to appear. Zach, are you ready to be the villain? ”

Hearing Link say this, Randolph hooked the corners of his mouth, "Then you still need to ask?" Uncle Zach: I'm a natural villain! ”

At this point, the lights outside the arena are turned off and the live DJ starts to set the mood. Everyone on the Grizzlies is jumping on the band, they're going to play!

"First of all, let's welcome...... Memphis Grizzlies! ”

"Let's go, guys, it's time for us to get on the scene!" Randolph, who was at the forefront, waved at everyone, and everyone followed him out of the players' tunnel!

The moment he ran out of the tunnel, the Chesapeake Energy Arena was filled with boos. This team's entrance ceremony was actually mainly for the Thunder, and the Grizzlies were just a visiting team.

But hearing these boos, Link didn't feel a lot of pressure in his heart, but enjoyed it very much.

Because this is almost the highest courtesy that the villain can get when he appears!

Standing on the court, he looked behind the Grizzlies bench. Sure enough, his friends were waving at him.

Link smiled and nodded, and in the midst of this overwhelming boo, he suddenly felt that Oklahoma City was also half of his home stadium!

Keep going with me in Oklahoma, Zike!

※※※

"Finally, the much-anticipated playoffs are about to begin. Hello audience friends, this is Kevin. Harlan, sitting next to me is Jeff. Hello Van Gundy, Jeff. ”

On the commentary stage, two well-known commentators also began their work. Since Oklahoma didn't have any well-known local commentators, Kevin was sent out. Halanga Van Gundy's "foreign lineup".

"The Grizzlies were able to finish fifth in the West in the regular season, which was amazing, and they jumped from eighth to fifth at an astonishing rate. But for them, the real challenge has just begun. It's true that the Grizzlies managed to avoid the Dallas Mavericks, but the Thunder, who are fourth in the West, are not easy to mess with. Since mid-season, the Thunder traded for Kendrick. After Perkins, there was a visible improvement in their defensive ability. Van Gundy didn't talk much nonsense and went straight to the analysis of the situation.

"Yes, Perkins has been in great shape since coming to the Thunder. Despite his knee injury, he remains an excellent interior defender. The Thunder don't have to worry about their offense, they don't have to worry about their perimeter, they've been worried about the interior and defense. But now, these two problems can be left to Perkins to solve. ”

"Perkins' role is definitely not reflected in averaging 6 points and 8 rebounds per game, his defensive style and defensive attitude can be said to have made the Thunder evolve from a strong team to a championship-level team. Just think about the difference between Perkins and the Celtics in last season's Finals to see what he means. If Perkins can contain the Black and White Bears' offense, then the Thunder will be able to choke the Grizzlies by the neck. ”

Kevin. Harlan and Van Gundy sang and harmonized, and Perkins was blown to the core. Although their tone is exaggerated, Perkins does have great strength. The addition of Perkins can be called the most important addition for the Thunder this season.

Hollins is also afraid of Perkins, after all, Gasol Jr.'s scoring ability is not strong, and now he is still encountering such a hard stubble, and the Grizzlies' No. 5 position on the offensive end is not dominant.

Therefore, Hollins also assigned a very heavy offensive task to Link today, and he will become the second scoring point of the Grizzlies after Randolph!

Perkins is great defensively, limited to the basket. If Link and Randolph can shoot away from the basket, the Thunder's defense won't be as strong.

I can't afford to provoke, can't I still hide?

At half past eight in the evening, the referee urged the players on both sides to stand in the designated position, and the game was about to begin!

The Thunder's brightly colored jersey and brightly colored home court are very pleasing at first glance, while the Grizzlies' black jersey is not very eye-catching.

The Thunder's gorgeous style of play and youthful passion make their games full of spectacle. The Grizzlies' defense-oriented philosophy determines that it is difficult for their game to "look good".

It feels like a bright and great "prince" encountering an ugly "monster" in a gloomy swamp.

But in the end, whether the "prince" can kill the "monster" or not, is not certain. After all, the NBA is not a fairy tale. In this place, "light" is not always tactically "dark". The following crimes are not uncommon!

The referee blew the whistle and the Grizzlies' playoff journey officially began!

Perkins is only 2.08 meters tall and his athletic ability has plummeted since his injury. So in the scrum stage, Gasol Jr. once again won by virtue of his height.

The Thunder's youngsters dropped off quickly, and their energy was endlessly lovely.

Conley, on the other hand, gestured unhurriedly towards the Thunder halfcourt. Westbrook spread his arms and patted the floor hard with both hands. His domineering demonstration brought the first climax to the stands of the Chesapeake Energy Arena!

Conley ignored Westbrook and tactically handed the ball to Link, who was outside the three-point line. As soon as Link received the basketball, Gasol Jr.'s cover was quickly in place. Without hesitation, Link burst into the ball!

Durant squeezed Gasol Jr. away and used his long arm to interfere with Link's breakout. It has to be said that Durant's defense in the playoffs is tighter than before. But Link has long been mentally prepared, and it will not be too easy to match the scoring champion in the playoffs.

Link leaned on Durant all the way to the basket, and Perkins stood guard in the restricted area, ready to harvest the first "prey" to break into his territory.

But just as Link was about to hit the basket, he suddenly threw the ball into the air.

Perkins stared at the basketball, was this guy so scared that he threw it directly?

No, the flight trajectory is not towards the basket at all. It's not a throw, it's an empty pass!

By the time Perkins reacted, it was too late. Randolph's seemingly bulky black bear leaped lightly, caught the basketball in the air, and then put it in the hoop under Perkins' weak interference!

Ibaka? The guy didn't expect Randolph to suddenly cut in, and he was already thrown away.

"A relay goal in the air, a beautiful match between a striker and a striker! The Grizzlies were caught off guard by the Thunder at the beginning, and there was too much tacit understanding between Link and Randolph! Kevin. Harlan yelled, he didn't expect the Grizzlies to score their first point in this year's playoffs.

After the goal, Link and Randolph gave a light high-five, and the two villain leaders were ready to make trouble in the princes' "palace".