O.J. Mayo has largely been abandoned by the Grizzlies this season, thanks to Xavier Henry, Tony. With the arrival of Allen and Link, Mayo has played in 71 games this season, starting only 17 of them.

So far in the playoffs, there has been no chance to start. It can even be said that he has not put up any impressive performances.

Therefore, when people see Mayo starting again, their first reaction is surprise. Why this guy who is in a slump can suddenly put Tony. Aaron squeezed down? Could it be Tony. Is Aaron injured?

However, the truth is that Hollins can see an uptick in Mayo's form in recent games. In the first few games, although Mayo did not score or shoot much, his 40% three-point shooting rate was very eye-catching. Although he didn't put in any amazing performances, as a substitute, Mayo's performance can't be said to be bad.

It's easy to see how important this year is for the Grizzlies players. Although Mayo has never had a winning heart, it will still be somewhat affected by the general environment. During the playoffs, he began to train early and began to work hard in confrontational training. Mayo doesn't say what it can do now, but at least it can open up space for the Grizzlies' offense.

Stretching out space and making it easier for others to attack is what Hollings sent Mayo to the court.

"The Grizzlies conceded 18 layups in the last game, which is a really scary number. Today, the Grizzlies will have to adjust on the offensive end. They have already got the match point, and they must not give the Thunder a chance to breathe! "Hubby. Brown hasn't forgotten how badly the Grizzlies lost in their last game.

Although the Grizzlies' players themselves are not in good shape, the Thunder's defensive tactics of shrinking the basket have also made the Grizzlies deflated. They just forced the Grizzlies to shoot three-pointers, and the troops were stationed on the inside. Because of this, the Grizzlies struggled to score on layups in the last game. And Conley and Link, the only two Grizzlies starters who can shoot three-pointers, just don't feel good.

In this way, he was slaughtered by the Thunder with 27 points.

But today, Hollins replaced Mayo, who believes that Mayo's 40 percent three-point shooting rate will give the Grizzlies more options for their offense. Even if the Thunder defend the basket again, the Grizzlies will not be dumb across the board.

Before the game began, Link noticed that Westbrook and Durant were nervous. Also, at this time, the Gemini is still quite young, and it is far from being as dominant as it will be in the future.

Belch...... To be exact, Durant is not yet that dominant. As for Westbrook, what is playoff dominance?

It is understandable that these two will be nervous, after all, today's game is indeed too much psychological pressure for the Thunder.

First, the series has not won at the Federal Express Arena so far. Second, this game is a "win or go home" game for the Thunder. The Grizzlies have a way out if they lose, but if the Thunder lose, their ambitious season is coming to an end.

Link believes that in the minds of the Thunder players, their goal is by no means as simple as the first round. After picking up two wins over the Lakers in the first round last season, the Thunder will certainly be looking to go further.

Link rubbed his hands, he had to face Durant alone without Mr. Tony's help today. In any case, he is going to contain the league's leading scorer. As long as Durant can't open, the Thunder is basically equivalent to losing half!

But seeing that Durant was so nervous today, Link felt that there was an opportunity. A player can have a lot of emotions on the court, he can be angry, he can be crazy, he can be public, but he can't be nervous!

Tension is like a shackle that can tie a player's hands and feet.

The two sides jumped the ball, and the Grizzlies still got the first attack. Let's see what the Grizzlies' first attack after changing formations will look like! ”

The Thunder's defensive strategy is similar to the previous game, with the main shrinking the basket, blocking the black and white bears, and blocking the outside players to cut in. Three points? Let you vote! In Brooks' view, Link is the only one with a slightly more stable three-point shot on the Grizzlies, but a mere three-pointer can't completely kill the game.

Link landed directly outside the three-point line this time, and since the Thunder gave three points, then take advantage of the opportunity!

Durant let Link go, which he used to limit Link to just nine points in the last game. So today, Durant continues to follow suit.

"Are you sure you want to let me go so far?" Link has started to "talk" with Durant, and he hopes to put a lot of pressure on Durant from words to actions.

Durant didn't reply, still defending on his own. Conley, meanwhile, broke through with cover, but couldn't get the pack. So, Conley gave the ball to Link! Link then handed the ball to Mayo at the top of the arc outside the three-point line, and then ran over to hand him off.

"Mayo received the basketball in the first round, and it seems that his tactical position should not be low. Link and Mayo go hand-to-head, and he's still looking for a breakthrough! ”

Taking the basketball, Link came out from behind Mayo. "Swiss Army Knife" Sephorosa immediately switched to Link, and Durant also followed behind Link. No way, the scoring threat of this undrafted draft is too great. And in the first few games, the Thunder team was also used to this way of defending.

After all, Tony. Allen doesn't have three-point ability, so the Thunder outside line can always be safe and bold to seal Link. It's just that the Thunder players seem to have forgotten that the Grizzlies' starting point guard today is not Tony. Alan!

Seeing that he had attracted two defenders, Link struck the ball diagonally behind him and struck it to the ground! Mayo receives a basketball at the top of the arc and is unmarked!

"Link gave the ball to Mayo, and the Grizzlies gave the ball to Mayo on their first offense!"

Mayo doesn't have any ambitions, no tenacity of bears, no strength to make any mistakes, he doesn't have the energy. But he knows he has only one year left on his rookie contract. If you don't show some performance, it will be very troublesome to sign at that time. After all, as a star who was popular all over the United States in high school, Mayo didn't want to sign too low.

Mayo calmly shot, and neither Sephorosa nor Durant rushed forward to interfere and let Mayo shoot.

This time, Mayo didn't disappoint Grizzlies fans and teammates. His 40% three-point shooting rate played his due role!

"Brush!" The basketball hollow went into the net, and the Grizzlies scored a three-pointer as soon as they came up!

It's true that a three-pointer can't kill the game. But today, the Grizzlies have two three-pointers on the outside!

Link assists, Mayo scores first, Grizzlies lead!

After seeing the basketball enter the net, Link pointed at Mayo, "Well done!" ”

"Cut, whatever you want." Mayo snorted inwardly, but looked at the cheers around her...... It seems cool to be able to help the team take the lead in the playoffs.

So today, let's take a dozen seriously...... It would be great to get a big contract next summer.

"The Thunder's strategy of defending the box is clearly targeted, and Link is very good at assisting teammates after attracting defense. As long as Mayo is in the open space, Link will definitely be able to get the ball to him. "Hubby. Brown saw Hollins' strategy in just one round, but the question now is whether Mayo and Link can guarantee consistency in three-point shooting.

"Don't be nervous buddy, just like you do with your usual offenses. Really, don't think that if you can't vote, you'll lose, because if you can't vote, you'll all lose today! On the defensive end, Link has been putting pressure on Durant, constantly reminding him that "if you can't shoot, you're going to lose".

Durant was upset, but as the team's leading scorer, he had to step up again.

Eventually, Durant's catch-and-shoot jumper from beyond the three-point line was interfered with by Link. In addition, Durant himself was a little impatient, so the three-point mismatch, and the Thunder lost the opportunity to equalize!

Link secretly rejoiced in his heart, it seems that today's strategy has worked! And today, Hollins arranged for Durant to be Link, Tony. A wheel battle in which Allen and Battier alternate on the field. Link looked at Durant's expression and became sympathetic, no way, who made you the league's scoring champion?

Durant missed his first shot, and the Grizzlies weren't in a hurry. Fall into the position and fight slowly, this is what Hollins specially instructed today.

Because if the pace is faster, it will be more beneficial to the Thunder. Thinking about how terrible a rushing Westbrook is, Hollins doesn't dare to fight fast.

Durant is a little discouraged now, he didn't expect that he would struggle so much in the playoffs this year! On both offensive and defensive ends, Durant felt that he could not play to his full strength.

Durant certainly hasn't been completely locked up, and he's even improved a lot from last season's playoffs. But the feeling of being restricted everywhere still makes Durant very uncomfortable.

Durant was uncomfortable, so Link took advantage of the victory to chase after him.

Chinese No. 0 received the basketball again, he first looked at Seflorosa's position, with Mayo's three points just now, this thing should not dare to wrap himself!

Link then took a tentative step, and Durant did take another half step back to prevent Link from breaking through.

Seeing this, Link suddenly retracted his steps and jumped directly to shoot!

Just using tentative steps to shake people is a relatively high-level offensive skill. Many fans who watch TV think that some superstars like to shoot three-pointers against others, but the reality is that they have already disrupted the opponent's rhythm with tentative steps before shooting, and they can complete the shot by seizing the slightest gap.

The same is true for Link now, whose tentative step has kept Durant half a step away from him. However, this half step was enough for him to complete the shot!

Brooks stood up, and he deliberately shot a three-pointer for the Grizzlies, but he didn't expect the Grizzlies to really do it.

When he saw Link help the Grizzlies hit a second three-pointer in a row to make it 6-0, Brooks panicked.

The head coach was panicking, let alone the young Thunder players. Durant covered his head with his hands in frustration, and after letting Link complete the assist and defense, he immediately let Link hit a three-point shot, which made Durant very unhappy.

"It's okay, don't be upset. Think about the bright side, at least after this game, you won't have to face us again! ”

After the goal, Link continued to put pressure on Durant, but Ling's young scoring champion was about to have a nervous breakdown at the beginning of the game.