The Thunder and Grizzlies were originally two teams that couldn't play together. Although they are all in the West, the Thunder are young and full of potential, while the Grizzlies are perennially bleak.

But since the Grizzlies signed Link two years ago, the fates of the two teams have magically intertwined.

Two years ago, the two sides met in the first round of the playoffs. At that time, the Thunder was still young, and it was only the second time they played in the playoffs. As a result, the ambitious team was eliminated by the Grizzlies in the first round. Durant holds a grudge against it. Last year, the two sides met in the Western Conference Finals. As a result, after seven hard battles, the winner was decided.

The brutality of that series is still fresh in my memory, and every game was so intense that the two teams bonded together. In the regular season this season, the Thunder interrupted the Grizzlies' unbeaten streak at home. Kevin. Durant's final 0.9-second strike at the Federal Express Arena completely wiped out the Grizzlies' chance of a miracle.

In the past three years, the two teams have won and lost each other, accompanied by grievances. And this year, at the peak moment for both parties, they can finally make a wrap.

Before the game began, Link's words to Durant made the ESPN staff excited. Broadcasting this episode during the pause will definitely lead to a further increase in ratings.

Link and Durant have taken the heat of this game to unprecedented heights, and no other series has been in the spotlight as it is today. It is estimated that only the finals after that will have such a ratings effect.

The two sides had already had a war of words before the game began, and the conversation between Durant and Link was a classic. The two of them faced off in the playoffs, and even reminded fans of Larry. Bird and Michael. Jordan's era.

He was fierce before the game, and naturally he would not be soft during the game. The Grizzlies opened the first offense, and Durant was posted in front of Link!

In the past, the Thunder would also try to defend Link with Sephorosa and others. But now, Durant will be by Link's side from the first second of the game.

Although Durant is only a year older than Link, he has been named to the All-NBA First Team three times. If nothing else, he will be selected for the fourth time this year. Such an honor is enough to prove Durant's strong strength.

Of course, this is also a disadvantage for older rookies. Link started later than others, and there was really no way.

As a guy who was defined as a superstar early on, Durant's defense is naturally not bad. His physical condition is there, and his defense will not be bad.

Link faces Durant as if he were facing a wall. But after a few years of confrontation, Link has become accustomed to Durant's defensive area.

Durant didn't be polite to Link, and he prevented Link from receiving the ball as soon as he opened the game.

"It seems that KD is not going to spare himself strength. Defensively, he also decided to give it his all. "Mike. Brin didn't expect Durant to work so hard as soon as he came up. It seems that the expectations of the fans will not be disappointed.

Link was not in a hurry and simply did not catch the ball in the first round. Eventually, it was Gasol who hit Perkins in the low post.

Perkins and Tony. Allen, like that, is a member of the '08 champions, the Celtics. Moreover, they are all important defensive players.

But Tony. Allen is still strong, while Perkins is gradually becoming less of a deterrent in the box due to injury.

Now, Perkins moves and bounces nowhere near as fast as he used to be. In the case of hard strength and weight, Gasol does not suffer.

", I can't even catch the ball! Aren't you going to make a fuss? It's coming! Although the Grizzlies scored the goal, it still didn't stop Durant from trash talking at Link. As long as the ball is not scored by Link, Durant does not think he is losing!

Link didn't respond, but quickly stepped back and didn't forget to high-five Gasol Jr.

Durant gritted his teeth, since Link didn't attack, then he's welcome! Today, he's going to score ahead of Link!

Westbrook crossed the halfway line unhurriedly, and he was watching Durant's position. Westbrook isn't stupid either, sometimes he just wants to take responsibility too much, so it's easy to do something brain-hot.

But when it comes to calming down, Westbrook is undoubtedly a good player.

Durant raised his long arm from outside the three-point line on the right side and motioned for Westbrook to give the ball.

But the moment Westbrook passed the ball out, Link crashed into Durant very roughly!

He's not going to save on the defensive end either!

"Huh? Today, the Grizzlies are facing Durant on the defensive end, and it is actually Link? I thought they were going to let Iguodala defend Durant and then completely free Link on the offensive end. "Mike. Brin was a little surprised, usually, it wasn't Iguodala who went to help Link top the opponent's top scorer.

Originally, the Grizzlies also arranged for Iguodala to defend Durant today. But Link personally asked for the battle and wanted to defend Durant himself.

It's not that Link doesn't trust Iguodala's defensive ability, it's that Link wants to drain Durant's physical strength as soon as he comes up. Iguodala's defense is good, but it's certainly not as rough as Link's. After all, Iguodala doesn't have the hostility of Link when he faces Durant.

After Durant is out of breath, Iguodala and Toney will be replaced by Iguodala and Tony. Aaron and others took over.

For Durant, the Grizzlies are ready for several people to fight with him!

Durant thought he could catch the ball easily, but he didn't expect to be suddenly roughly pushed by Link. As a result, Durant didn't catch the ball well, and when he took the basketball down, the ball was a little unstable.

"Oops!" Durant secretly screamed in his heart that it was not good, if it was against other defenders, this ball would be thrilling at most. But in the face of Link, Durant knows that any flaw is fatal!

Sure enough, at the moment when the basketball was out of control, Link reached out with his long arm!

Durant hurried to shoot the ball, but it was too late, and the basketball had already been stabbed away by Link.

"Steal, Link steals KD as soon as he comes up. Haha, it's really a great defensive battle! KD has to be careful, he has to be nervous all the time. In the face of the Grizzlies' defense, there is a little bit of stunned and mistakes, which are all fatal! ”

Accompanied by Mike. Bryn's shout, after grabbing the basketball, Link passed the ball to Iguodala, who was quickly inserted.

Link went to defend the opposing team's top scorer, and Iguodala replaced Link as the sharpener in the transition attack.

Durant instantly dreamed back to a year ago, also the Western Conference Finals. That suffocating defense is back now!

Every offensive round against the Grizzlies seemed to be out of breath.

Iguodala didn't have a polite time with Link and sped up like crazy after receiving the basketball! And the only one who can keep up with the entire Thunder team is Westbrook.

Don't look at Westbrook playing the No. 1 position, but with his strong physical fitness, he can still occasionally stage a chase and take risks.

This time, Westbrook will also be hoping to complete the block with his own explosive bounce. However, Iguodala, who has always been very low-key, is also an out-and-out jumping man!

Iguodala leaped into the air with the ball in both hands, and Westbrook and Iguodala collided violently in the air.

However, Iguodala's body is not even crooked, and in terms of strength, Iguodala is no weaker than Westbrook!

Westbrook's hands couldn't touch the basketball at all, and he couldn't change Iguodala's dunk stance. In the end, he could only be in the air, in this best vantage point, to witness Iguodala's hands slam into the air!

"Boom!" The basket made a loud noise, and the rebounds sank a few centimeters.

Iguodala puffed out his muscles and yelled before he let go and landed.

This dunk is magnificent!

"Nice counter-attack, steals and assists from Link. Andre. Iguodala averaged just 13 points per game during the regular season, which was unremarkable. But if you think he's just a defender, you're wrong! ”

"How? Is it still noisy? Link smiled at Durant, and made him make a mistake as soon as he came up, this guy must be unhappy.

"It's just getting started, idiot!" Durant replied angrily and waited for the second offense to begin.

But this time, Durant is still unable to move an inch. Link sticks it too tightly and doesn't make sense, it's just playing with you!

You turn to me and run with you, you hit me with your back, and once you see a chance to get the ball back, Link will throw his body to the floor at any time, and complete the steal at any cost......

In the face of this kind of desperate defense, Durant can't get an easy chance to score, not to mention, his spirit must be tense all the time.

If one doesn't pay attention, the ball is gone.

But people's energy is limited, one or two rounds, one quarter or two quarters, Durant can still concentrate. But what about the long time? Even Durant doesn't know what he's going to do.

With Link's unapproachable defense, Westbrook decided to make his own jumper. But his "zombie jumper" didn't work, and was interfered with by Conley.

The menacing Thunder have not scored in two consecutive rounds, and the Thunder have now missed once each.

As soon as it opened, the Grizzlies completely moved their terrible defense in front of the Thunder!

The purpose of this game for the Grizzlies is very simple, not to play against the Thunder, that is, to grind defense with you!

Durant is aggrieved, although he has not scored in just two rounds, it is normal. But the process of not scoring a goal is too embarrassing.

He couldn't even catch the ball in two rounds, and Westbrook couldn't get rid of Conley's entanglement. Durant now just wants to break the scoring drought quickly, otherwise it will be his turn to panic!

But Durant also knows that if he wants not to be pulled away, then he can't let the Grizzlies score! As a result, Durant doubled down on the defensive end, leaving Link with no good fruit.

Then, the goal battle that fans expected to be played was a big one.

In the first five minutes of the game, the Thunder shot 0 of 10 and did not score for five minutes!

But the Grizzlies weren't much better, scoring just eight points in five minutes with Link locked up.

After playing for a while, the score was only 8-0......

Five minutes later, Thunder coach Scott. Brooks couldn't take it anymore and he eventually called off the game.

However, Link, who also didn't score a point, high-fived his teammates with joy.

It's true that the 8-0 score isn't pretty, and the Grizzlies' shooting percentage is a bit worrying.

But all this is going according to plan.