498: 27 wins in a streak that was aborted
Before returning from a timeout, James' crucial three-pointer gave Spoelstra hope. It's not the first time the Filipino coach thinks the Heat still have a chance to win.
But he would never have imagined that Link would return the color with a four-point shot so quickly, and at this time, Spoelstra really experienced the feeling of falling from the clouds to the bottom in an instant.
On the court, Link tore his jersey at the frightened Rockets fans in their eyes. He was arrogant and annoying to Heat fans. But the most disgusting thing is that Link is really qualified to be so rampant.
In the last 34 seconds of the game, if Link hits a free throw, the Grizzlies will have a nine-point lead!
From 5 points to 9 points in an instant, this is undoubtedly a fatal blow to the Heat. It's not hard to chase 5 points in 54 seconds, but it's not easy to chase 9 points in 34 seconds.
After the excited celebration, Link returned to the free-throw line and took his feet. At this point, the Miami fans were so frightened that they forgot to boo.
Link adjusted his breathing after receiving the basketball, then looked at James. At this time, the face of the first person in the alliance was full of despair!
Link made a steady shot, continuing the hot feeling he had just made when he hit the ball in the interference. The basketball also remained hollow into the net without any incidents. Link scored a four-pointer, and the Grizzlies officially extended the margin to 4 points!
No sooner had Link finished his free throw than Spoelstra called a timeout. But everyone knows that this timeout is more likely to be just the Heat's death throes.
"Too strong, 42 points, 11 assists, 10 rebounds, 3 blocks and 2 steals! Another 40-point triple-double! Link had no reservations against LeBron today, and he brought out his best form! He lets everyone know, even LeBron. James may not be able to stop Link with all his firepower! The game isn't over yet, but the Heat don't necessarily have a chance! ”
The entire American Airlines Center has become dead, and their 12-game winning streak, James' continuous magical performances, are likely to be ruined today!
Heat fans seem to have suddenly woken up from a beautiful dream, but the scene in front of them is extremely cruel.
The Miami Heat are not invincible, LeBron. James is not invincible either. They are the defending champions, but that was last season's honour and that doesn't belong now!
"LeBron, Dwayne, Chris, everyone, cheer up, it's not over yet!" Spoelstra also tried to rally the team, but judging by the expressions of James and others, the effect was minimal.
Where did James have the heart to listen to Spoelstra stuffing chicken soup, his mind was now full of Link's trash talk.
"It's a shame you almost made it today. But at the end of the day, you can't score 30 points or win the game. ”
"Didn't you say you could get 100 points if you wanted to? Let me see, I'm not going to guard you too hard. ”
"Believe it or not, you can't even score more than 30 today?"
If it was just trash talk, it wouldn't upset James. Why is Bird's trash talk ruthless? Because he said that you are here to take the second, you really can only be the second. Why is Jordan's trash talk scared? Because of his strength, he can always accomplish the goals he has set.
If you just say harsh things, people will think you're just a clown at best. But if you can turn it into reality with practical actions, others will be afraid of you.
And today, Link has undoubtedly turned all his trash talk into reality!
It's the kind of frustration James hasn't experienced since he came to the Heat. The domineering "little emperor" was also defeated by other people's trash talk for the first time!
The thought of Link's trash talk he spewed turned into reality made James particularly powerless. In the face of such a guy, is there really a chance to win?
James was still basking in his frustration, and the game resumed. He got on the field in a daze, 34.09 minutes, and everyone knew how hard it was. Maddie's earth-shattering performance that year also "only" scored 13 points in 35 seconds.
Even if the bar were lowered by 4 points, it would still be difficult to do.
"Does the Miami Heat still have a chance? Now for them, the time and point difference are very fatal. The Heat don't just want to score fast, they need to score efficiently! Let's see what the defending champion does! ”
As soon as the commentator finished speaking, the Heat kicked the ball out. James took the ball and shot, and the Heat were running out for time.
However, this kind of hasty three-point shooting is not James' specialty. Coupled with Iguodala's tight interference, James' shot was crooked and floating.
"Boom!" The basketball hit the front of the basket, and James, who almost collapsed psychologically, really missed!
The ball was a long rebound, though, and Wade was lucky enough to land right on the basketball spot and grab the offensive rebound ahead of Link. "The Flash" then gave the ball to Ray. Alan. The Heat's most efficient three-point shooter is in control of the Heat's destiny!
However, at this time Ray. Allen is no longer the young man who shot three-pointers and rained down when he was younger. As a veteran who is almost 40 years old, Ray . Allen's shooting consistency is not as consistent as it used to be.
Under Conley's active interference, Ray. Allen's three-pointer didn't go in! This time, Randolph protected the rebound and didn't give the Heat another chance! I didn't take advantage of two opportunities in a row, and the Heat's defeat was a foregone conclusion!
"Foul, foul!" Spoelstra was also yelling on the sidelines, hoping to buy time with foul tactics.
But everyone knows that this is just a useless struggle.
After Conley was fouled, Link gathered everyone to say a few words. This isn't the first time Link has rallied his teammates on the court this season, and everyone in the Grizzlies is used to being led by Link.
Stevens and Pera have been pushing Link for the right time, which is undoubtedly the right decision for now.
Guy may have been the Grizzlies' most versatile player before, but this kind of leadership, Guy doesn't have at all.
Subsequently, Conley stood on the free throw line and made 2 of 2 free throws steadily, not being crushed by the pressure, and the difference became 11 points! It seems that Link's speech also had some effect. At this moment, the light of the American Airlines Center was completely obscured.
The last few tens of seconds are incomparably long for Heat fans. Because for them, it's not just a regular season loss, it's a goodbye to their best moment of the season!
With 12 consecutive wins, James' record-breaking performance ..... All of these have to wave goodbye to them.
Of course, only Link knows. The victory in this game also changed the history of the NBA!
The miracle of the 27-game winning streak of the Heat Big Three will no longer exist!
The "beep ~~~~~" electronic beep is like a death knell, officially announcing the death of the Miami Heat!
LeBron. James looked at the disappointed fans and hung his head with the crown on it.
With 25 points, 10 assists and 8 rebounds, James' stats didn't rise again. Quasi-triple-double, at first glance, James' performance doesn't seem to be bad.
But his shooting percentage of less than 30% and his pre-game remarks made James' stats particularly spicy.
Link did what he said he would, not allowing James to score 30. And James' pre-game remarks about 100 points per game made him fall into dire straits.
As the saying goes, digging a pit and jumping by yourself.
In contrast, Link's 40-point triple-double undoubtedly overpowered James. As a player directly opposite James, it is legendary enough to score a 40-point triple-double at the American Airlines Center.
After the game, a reporter found the down-and-out James and asked him what he wanted to say about the game.
James hung his head and shook his head, "It's a shame that our winning streak has been interrupted, but it's not over yet, we will continue to work hard to avoid making mistakes like today in the playoffs." ”
James began to comfort himself, thinking to himself that the Grizzlies wouldn't be able to make it to the finals anyway, and he didn't need to be so nervous.
And when Link faces the camera, what he says is much simpler.
"See you in the finals, it's time for the champion to change hands."
This is the first time that the Grizzlies and Link, in front of the public, have expressed their desire for a championship.
But under the premise of a 40-point triple-double, no one thinks Link is just talking casually.
Looking at Link, who was full of confidence on the court, Stevens smiled with relief, and his and Pera's goal had been basically achieved.
From 1995 to 2013, it took almost 20 years.
The first golden age of the Memphis Grizzlies has finally arrived!