On the nineteenth, the Rockets flew to Memphis with all their members, and the last meeting with the Grizzlies this season, two games, the two sides fought 2:1, this time the Grizzlies made a lot of effort to win the Rockets at home, and rewrote the record of the two teams to 2:2.

Judging by the current record, the two pairs are likely to meet head-to-head in the playoffs, with the Rockets in second place in the West and the Grizzlies in seventh place in the West.

Therefore, the reporters were also looking forward to this game, and they came over early to squat, and even the two pairs of field training did not let go.

The Grizzlies learned the lesson of two losses to the Rockets, and the pre-game training was mainly based on the practice of the inside line, and it can be seen from the pre-game training that the Grizzlies may adopt the strategy of winning the Rockets in the first game this time, focusing on the interior.

As for the Rockets, there was no targeted training before the game, but only let the players continue to practice shooting.

Paul and Harden, who were rested in the previous game against the Suns, put on their team uniforms and appeared on the court to practice shooting.

In this game, the Rockets are estimated to send all the main lineups.

In the pre-game interview, the Grizzlies' main Marc Gasol made it clear that he wanted to give the Rockets the biggest block at home.

Tony Allen, the team's defensive core, is also confident that he wants the Rockets to leave with a loss.

In the first three games against the Rockets, Conley, the first Grizzlies salary man who has been tepid, made it clear that in this game, he wants to play all his strength and strive to win this game.

Before the game began, the smell of gunpowder was stirred up by reporters.

When asked by a reporter what he thought of the Grizzlies' remarks, Paul's answer was very simple, "If we can win two of them, we can win this one!" ”

As for Harden, just one sentence, "See you on the court!" ”

On the commentary table this time were old acquaintances Kenyon Martin and Barkley with a big mouth.

"Barkley, the Grizzlies are confident about this game, what do you want to say?"

"The Rockets have been on a rampage lately, and I don't think the Grizzlies are going to be their opponents!" Barkley thought for a moment and said.

"Don't forget, the Grizzlies' style of play is very restrained in their small-ball play!"

"Restraint is restraint, the teams in the league that restrain the Warriors are very right, but there are not many who really defeat them, why?" Barkley asked rhetorically.

"The Warriors, the league's current son, so many superstars, how can you say they can lose?" Kenyon Martin said with a pout.

Obviously, Kenyon Martin doesn't like the star-studded Warriors team right now.

"Actually, what I want to say is that the team with a big center, the reason why people say that the team that refrains from small-ball play is because the shooting rate of the interior offense is conventionally higher than that of the outside, but if the Rockets can shoot from the outside, then it will be difficult for the Grizzlies to beat the Rockets."

When the players from both sides appeared on the field to start warming up, the two began to introduce the starting lists of both sides at once, and there was no surprise, both sides sent their full main forces.

On the Grizzlies side, Mike Conley, Tony Allen, Chandler Parsons, Brandon Wright, Marc Gasol.

On the Rockets' side, Paul, Harden, Cheng Lei, Anderson, Capela.

"Barkley, you see, the Grizzlies have made a lot of preparations this time, and they have warmed up so positively!" Kenyon Martin said as if he had discovered a new world.

It was the first time he had seen the Grizzlies take it so seriously during the warm-up.

"Look at the Rockets, it seems that they are more concerned about this game, you see, Paul and Harden, who are injured, also appeared in the starting lineup, if it were me, this game, I wouldn't let the two start!" Barkley said.

"Perhaps, the two don't have much injury, it's just D'Antoni's smoke bomb!" Kenyon Martin said with a smile.

Now, many coaches in the league have learned badly and have emulated Popovich's set, like the current strength of the Rockets, which can completely allow the main players to get more rest.

When the whistle blows, the referee enters the field with the ball, and the game officially begins.

Marc Gasol and Capela jump ball, Gasol Jr. knew that his bounce did not have any advantage for Capela, and he also strategically gave up this jump ball, only a symbolic jump.

After Capela tossed the ball out, the Grizzlies quickly retreated to the halfcourt and began to defend.

The first goal is very important, so Paul still controlled the rhythm very old, did not rush to attack directly, and only began to organize the attack after the players were all in place.

Against the Grizzlies, the inside line is weak, and if you want to open up the situation, you must focus on the outside line.

The first instruction given by Paul was to let Capela on the inside pull to the free throw line, and try to come out to help the outside players do more blocking and pick-and-roll, and Anderson, as a high battery, can ambush directly in the bottom corner.

Paul read the defense on the court, relatively speaking, Cheng Lei has a good chance, Parsons said after all, although he has recovered, but the speed is not as good as before.

Cheng Lei has a good chance to distance himself from him.

Then let's attack from Cheng Lei first.

After Paul gave Harden a look, Harden began to run, and went directly to Cheng Lei to make a block, and Paul also passed the ball directly at the right time.

As soon as Cheng Lei got the ball, Paul and Harden pulled away directly, and the other players immediately understood their intentions and pulled away directly, leaving the position to Cheng Lei.

Cheng Lei hit Parsons, accelerated directly after shaking, Parsons' footsteps obviously couldn't keep up with Cheng Lei, and the defense seemed very passive.

After a large disguise, Cheng Lei directly opened a step away from Parsons, and made a one-step pull-up jump shot inside the three-point line.

Scored the first goal for the Rockets.

"Well done!" Paul and Cheng Lei clapped their hands and said.

The Grizzlies' possession, sure enough, their goal is very clear, that is, to play inside, Mark Gasol began to grab positions on the inside early, in terms of tonnage, Capela suffered too much, was firmly stuck by Gasol Jr., and did not even have a good chance to go around.

Conley was no longer satisfied with blocking, he began to actively seek offense, and after a block by Tony Allen, he went straight to the inside.

Conley looked in the direction of Paul, who was chasing the defender, and in the middle of the shake a sideways pass, and the ball passed through the gap to Marc Gasol.

However, after passing the ball, he did not stop his movements, but ran towards the basket at the same speed.

Gasol Jr. leaned on Capela twice with his back, and then squeezed into a favorable position with a fierce force.

Turning around and ready to lick the basket, Capela stood firm and threw himself at Gasol Jr. with all his might.

However, Gasol Jr. did not lick the basket, but shook his hand and the ball flew to the side.

After Conley got the ball, he went straight to the basket and scored two points for the Grizzlies.

"Boy, do you think I'm only going to attack?" Mark Gasol watched Capela spew trash talk.