Link and Randolph's aerial relay goals caught the Thunder by surprise. The Grizzlies have always been a team with a simple style of play, and their one-on-board positional battles and meat grinder-like defense have always been their labels.

Aerial relays? It's like the Clippers and Griffin's patent. Is there anyone on the Grizzlies lineup who can jump in particular?

So, the Grizzlies' first shot was very subversive, and they broke through the Thunder's defense in the most dynamic way they did, which was enough to make all Thunder fans nervous.

"It seems that Link and Zach are eager to try it today. I don't know if you remember the crazy performance of Link and Randolph in January this year. At that point, they had already shown their quality as the league's most dangerous forward. If Link and Zach can bring that form to the playoffs, the Thunder will be in big trouble. ”

The playoffs have only just started the first leg and it's getting interesting. Durant was a little annoyed, he was obviously very tight on Link's defense just now, but he still couldn't prevent that guy from scoring completely. But again, Durant doesn't think Link can stop him.

Every time the Grizzlies and Thunder play each other, Rudy. Guy and Durant will blow each other up. But right now, Guy can't play. Although in the regular season, Link also played well against Durant. But let's be honest, Durant's stats are more flashy than Link's every time.

While Durant was figuring out how to deal with the difficult No. 0 forward, Tony . Allen crossed in front of Durant! Durant was a little stunned, Link was not in line with himself?

"Don't look at it, boy, your opponent is me!" Tony. Allen pressed Durant with all his might, and the Grizzlies' strategy was to use Tony. Allen is going to fight this year's scoring champion!

It's not that Hollins doesn't trust Link's defensive ability, but if Link continues to play against Durant on the defensive end, it will inevitably take a lot of energy, which will affect Link's state on the offensive end.

So Hollins simply let Tony. Allen went all out to beat Durant on the defensive end, so Link could also focus more on offense.

Westbrook played the ball to Durant, but Durant faced Toney. Aaron's close pressing, unable to break through at all. In desperation, he handed the ball back to Westbrook.

Westbrook has improved a lot this season, averaging 21.9 points, 8.2 assists and 4.6 rebounds per game. On many nights, he even overshadowed Durant. And this season, Westbrook's overall shooting percentage and three-point shooting percentage have improved greatly.

Link isn't surprised by Westbrook's progress, and if you give him a center who can play "eight cards", he can still average a triple-double per game.

The rise of Westbrook has made the Thunder's firepower on the offensive end extremely strong. Problems that Durant can't solve, Westbrook can solve with a breakthrough.

Conley tried his best to block, but he couldn't help it, Westbrook's physical fitness was too perverted. He hit Conley hard to the basket, however, he hit Gasol Jr. headlong under the basket!

Westbrook didn't care so much, he was stunned and forced a layup with Gasol Jr., who was 2.16 meters on top. Thunder fans are not surprised by this, this is already the norm for Westbrook. Going to the basket with a man on top is routine for Westbrook. As for whether to enter or not...... That's hard to say.

Gasol Jr.'s offense this season has been mediocre, averaging even less points per game than last season, with only 11.7 points on his account. You could argue that Gasol Jr.'s scoring skills have barely improved, but no one can ignore the changes he's made on the defensive end this season.

Whether it is self-confidence or judgment of defensive positioning, Gasol Jr. is better. In the words of ESPN in the playoff preview, "The Grizzlies are on par with the Lakers' championship twin towers on the inside." ”

Gasol Jr.'s precise positioning allowed him to block Westbrook just right, and his tough style made it difficult for Westbrook to move in the air.

So, Westbrook ended the iron with Gasol Jr.'s forced layup! Link shook his head, Westbrook seems to have been in the league since he entered the league, until 2019......

"The Thunder offense failed, and oh my god, they couldn't break down the Grizzlies' defense! How strong is the firepower of Durant and Westbrook? This season, they are averaging 49.6 points per game! These two guys scored almost half of all the Thunder's scores. However, in front of the Grizzlies' defense, even the twin stars played particularly hard! ”

Hollins applauded with satisfaction, and all he wanted to see was for the team to be able to find game form through defense.

On top of that, this time defensively, Link and Randolph had little trouble. Then on the offensive end, they can unleash their vitality to their heart's content!

Randolph personally grabbed the rebound and handed it to Conley. Durant had to get a free game from Tony. Aaron left beside him and pounced on Link. This constant change of position will also put a lot of pressure on Durant. Defensively and offensively, he faced the most threatening points and had no breathing time at all.

Link was still acting as a deterrent this time around, opening up space for his team from beyond the three-point line, while the offense was handled by Randolph himself.

Randolph was in excellent form today, after all, he had been preparing for the day for a long time. Carrying the basket, the frame, the hook, the shot, Randolph can do it all.

Link remembers that in the original history, the Grizzlies' opponent in the first round was the Spurs, and in that round of the series, even Duncan was completely suppressed by Randolph.

Although among them, Duncan's injury factor is a reason. But I have to say that Randolph fought really hard that year.

The "No. 21 rookie" can't do anything with Randolph, let alone Ibaka, who is not yet at his peak?

Randolph sat back two steps, turned around easily after reaching the basket, and the basketball went in again!

"Zach, go back in the low post! He's scored two goals in a row, this guy does whatever he wants in the box, and the Thunder can't let him do whatever he wants. Zach is the one who won the Western Conference Player of the Month this season, and if the Thunder let him attack like this, he could really kill the game! ”

Mike. Brin said Scott. Brooks knows it all, but how to curb Randolph? There is no other way but to wrap the bag.

This time the Thunder's offense was finally done, and Durant's mid-range jumper allowed Toney. Aaron was out of reach. But Brooks doesn't feel safe anymore, and he knows very well that if he can't contain the Grizzlies' offense, it's hard to win against the Grizzlies.

After all, the Grizzlies' defensive skills are there, and the Thunder won't score too much today. If you want to win, you have to lower the Grizzlies' scoring as well.

The tussle continued, and this time, Conley's breakthrough attracted Ibaka's reinforcements. As a result, Randolph was vacated in the middle distance. The big black bear who is in good shape hit a steady shot and scored 6 points in a row!

Ibaka covered her head in her hands in frustration, the second-year Congolese were too immature in front of Randolph.

He looked helplessly at Brooks, who also gestured to the players.

It's time to wrap it!

'Randolph played really well today and he has scored on the head of Ibaka with three different attacking styles. Zach has been waiting a long time to prove himself in the playoffs, so he won't give up easily. ”

Randolph's hunger for victory has been revealed, and this low-post killer has turned the Thunder's seemingly luxurious interior defensive lineup into a paper tiger.

Under the Grizzlies' high-pressure defense, the Thunder's offense failed again. This time, it was Serge Ibaka who shot and it seemed intent on causing Randolph problems on the offensive end.

But alas, Randolph's aggressive defense allowed Ibaka's turnaround jumper to crash out of the frame. At both ends of the offensive and defensive ends, Ibaka has no way to take Randolph!

It is said that the playoffs are a stage for creating stars, and today, Randolph has undoubtedly greatly improved his status in the league. There's nothing like the playoffs to test a player's quality.

"Bag clip, bag clip!" Brooks couldn't help himself, and he gestured to inform the players of his instructions.

Durant pouted, hoping that Randolph and Link weren't on the same side. Otherwise, the bag defense will be very dangerous.

But as the saying goes, what you're afraid of comes. Hollins had long thought about how to deal with the possible bag defense, so today, Link and Randolph were on the same side when attacking!

In this way, if the Thunder want to wrap up, they can only be caught by the person who defends Link, because he is closest to Randolph. And once the player defending Link goes to the trap, Link gets a chance!

People say that Hollins is a defensive player, a coach who is obsessed with defense. But in reality, he is not without nothing on the offensive end.

Randolph received another pass from Conley in the low post, and it looked like the Big Black Bear had no intention of giving up. Seeing that Ibaka was pushed back two steps, Durant gritted his teeth and still grabbed it!

However, Randolph's ability to play in the low post this season is nothing short of bad! The moment Durant came over, Randolph passed the ball to Link!

"Damn it!" Durant immediately turned around and pounced outside the three-point line, he felt as if he was being played like a monkey!

When Link received the basketball, Durant was still two steps away from him. That's enough distance for Link to complete the shot!

He jumped up decisively and threw the basketball steadily in Durant's frightened expression!

Link's current three-point shooting percentage is not something that can be put in by him.

"Three-pointer, hit! The Thunder's defense was in a dilemma, and Link did his duty from beyond the three-point line! ”

"yes, the Grizzlies didn't have a consistent three-point output before. But now, their three-point shot is extremely deadly! ”

Kevin. Both Harlan and Van Gundy praised the Grizzlies' tactics, and from the opening moment, the Grizzlies put the Thunder in a desperate situation.

"I advise you not to bother him today, Kevin. Otherwise, the loss will be even greater. Link stretched out his hand at Durant, and it felt good to put the opponent's general.

The "despicable and shameless" villain has pushed Thunder into a corner, but whether Thunder can get out of the predicament like the decent in the movie depends on their attainments.

The Grizzlies' "twin stars" seem to have crushed the two buddies of the Thunder.