In the first quarter of the game, the Thunder completely fell into the rhythm of the Grizzlies. They couldn't play a fast-paced offense, and thanks to Link and Randolph, Perkins was pretty much a showpiece. He can't defend it, Perkins is just a pure rim protector. If you prevent it, his advantages will be wasted.

Fortunately, in the second half of the first quarter of the game, the Thunder found a rhythm, which stabilized the score difference and was not continuously pulled apart by the Grizzly River.

At the end of the first quarter, the Thunder trailed the Grizzlies by four points, 24-28. At the Chesapeake Energy Arena, the Grizzlies have a bit of an anti-guest momentum.

In the first quarter of the game, the best performance of the Thunder was Westbrook. This guy shot 5-of-7 and scored 10 points in a single quarter. If it weren't for Westbrook's efforts in the second half of the first quarter, the Thunder would be too far behind.

"We said before the game that Westbrook was the X-factor for the Thunder. As long as he can explode, it will be a weapon of mass destruction for the Thunder. Durant's shot, Westbrook's breakaway. In my opinion, no opponent can completely restrain these two in one night. The Thunder's offense is almost perfect, and all they need is time if they want to overtake the score! "Intermission, Kevin. Harlan was clearly overwhelmed by Westbrook's 10-point performance in the first quarter.

"The Thunder's offense is almost perfect? No, the Thunder's offense still has a lot of problems. And it was only the first quarter of the game, and we all know that Westbrook's biggest problem is his offensive consistency. Just because he did well in the first quarter doesn't mean he did the same in the next three quarters. Van Gundy began to retort that Van Gundy preferred the combination of Link and Randolph to the Thunder Twins.

Link and Randolph are more tactically connected, and their ability to contain each other and create space for each other is something that Durant and Westbrook don't have. Durant and Westbrook are more of a rotational single, and it's hard to see any real synergy between the two.

In the regular season, Durant and Westbrook only need to play alone to help the Thunder win the game. But in the face of the Grizzlies' defense, once the Twin Stars have a dumb fire, the Thunder's offense will suffer a big setback.

Van Gundy is bullish on the Grizzlies to continue to pull away because he believes there is no way this team will allow Durant and Westbrook to continue to play a bad role under their defense.

Duo to Duo, this is Jeff. Van Gundy's favorite play.

On the court, Hollins was nervously making tactical adjustments to the outcome of the first quarter. On Durant's side, Hollins really can't help it, in Tony. Allen's defense can still pull out goals, and Durant is basically inexplicable as the scoring champion. The only thing the Grizzlies can do is reduce Durant's shooting percentage as much as possible.

But Westbrook, who scored 10 points in the first quarter, Hollins thought he could work on him.

"Mike, put Westbrook on a shot in the second quarter to prevent him from breaking through. If he insists on breaking through, lead him into a defensive trap. Mark, always be ready to help. Kendrick. Perkins has very little scoring ability, so you can focus on helping defense. Just like in the first leg of the first quarter, keep an eye on Westbrook. If he dares to break through, he won't be able to eat and walk around! ”

Hollins said as he drew on the tactical board. Westbrook's offensive options have been problematic, and it's not for nothing that he's shot low.

Then, Hollins turned his head to look at Link again, "In the second quarter of the game, the Thunder will return to James . Harden started to add to the offensive firepower. Needless to say, you know what to do with that guy. Don't give him any chances, I don't want to see him score. ”

As for the Thunder's sixth man, James. Harden, Hollins is not worried. He believed that Link would completely lose the bearded man.

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"The second quarter began, and Scott. Coach Brooks replaced Harden, and it seems that the Thunder are going to step up their offense. ”

As soon as the second quarter began, Hollins' guess was fulfilled. Scott. Brooks is a coach who is very good at developing young people, but his on-the-spot command skills are very average. Hollins was able to guess his deployment, and it was effortless.

When Harden saw Link, he was very resistant. In the regular season, Harden was guarded by Link more than once to doubt his life. Of course, Harden didn't care afterwards, and he still went to a nightclub when he should have gone to a nightclub. Harden at this time is far from working hard.

Westbrook controlled the ball and walked beyond the three-point line, and now the Thunder have a few options.

Durant singles, Harden singles, Westbrook singles. As for Ibaka, he can basically rely on the occasional pick-and-roll and a rudimentary basket, Perkins...... On the offensive end, it's not an exaggeration to say that he's invisible.

Link deliberately didn't press Harden, so Westbrook actually passed the ball to Harden. Link secretly rejoiced in his heart, although Harden will be strong in the future, but now, the Thunder's ball is in the hands of a relatively small scoring threat.

Seeing this, Durant immediately went to block and dismantle with Harden. Link and Tony. Allen understood it and switched positions directly, and the cooperation between Harden and Durant did not come out!

In desperation, Harden had no choice but to return the ball to Westbrook. That Thunder 0 passes you the ball, and if you don't play, then the ball will definitely not be passed again.

Don't fight? Don't hit me!

Westbrook burst with the ball, and the Thunder's offense once again turned into a random single!

Jeff. Van Gundy was right, there really was too little tactical connection between Durant and Westbrook.

What is the result of the hard fight with Westbrook? Conley had already seen it in the first quarter of the game, and he really couldn't carry this thing.

But instead of carrying it in the second quarter, Conley stepped back along Westbrook.

Westbrook must still be complacent about his strong breakthrough, but in the next second, a "mountain" appeared in front of him.

"Damn!" Westbrook thinks he's lightning fast, and it's unlikely that an interior player can keep up with him. Normally, by the time the sluggish big men come over to help, Westbrook is already on the scoresheet.

But this time, Gasol Jr. made up for it in a very timely manner! If there are some coincidences in the first quarter of the game, then this time the defense is intentional.

Westbrook didn't know that Gasol Jr. had already been hiding in the penalty area and had been eyeing him for a long time.

Westbrook, who had suffered a loss in the first quarter, didn't want to fight Gasol Jr., so he suddenly decided to throw a shot.

However, Westbrook's stiff feel is really not the material for throwing. The basketball he threw directly hit the neck of the basket, and as soon as the Grizzlies came up in the first round, the defense against Westbrook was successful!

"A typical Grizzlies-style defense, where Conley deliberately lured the opponent into a defensive trap. Gasol finishes the attack. It seems that Westbrook is being targeted. Jeff, you're saying that the Grizzlies only need to limit one of the twin stars to have a chance to win. So in your opinion, this person will be Durant or Russell? ”

Van Gundy didn't answer Kevin. Harlan instead put his index finger to his mouth and motioned for him to be quiet first, "Let's focus on the Grizzlies' offense first!" ”

On the Grizzlies' side, the offense was much more fluid. Everyone has their own role and their own goals. Fighting alone has been rare in the Grizzlies since Guy's injury. As for Randolph's low-post attack, it was actually based on the team's tactics.

In the first quarter of the game, Randolph, like Westbrook, scored 10 points in a single quarter. So in the second quarter, Perkins' position changed significantly. Now Perkins is not next to Gasol Jr., but close to the basket, ready to make up for Randolph.

That way, the Grizzlies won't have an easy spot on the outside. And it was not easy for Randolph to get the ball to Gasol Jr. in a crowded interior.

Randolph has long been aware of this, this is the playoffs, and everyone is in sight. Thunder can tear down his moves, and he can tear down Thunder!

Randolph held the ball low on the right side of the court, and Perkins' defense was also off the right side of the basket. Gasol Jr. was alone on the left in the middle distance, but Randolph could easily be tackled if he passed.

He's waiting, waiting for his partner!

When Link saw Randolph's position, he suddenly ran backwards to the right side of the court. Harden immediately followed, only to find that Tony. Aaron was already in his way!

Link shook off Harden and cut in from the right side of the Thunder defense, which was completely empty. Randolph hooks the ball and the target is Link!

"Beautiful coordination, Zack's low position strategy is very clear. Link made a pull-up jumper, and he didn't challenge Perkins' authority. At this point, Link is much calmer than Westbrook! Bang, basketball again, Link's shooting consistency is simply terrible. Just let him shoot with an empty seat, and the only thing you can do is pray to God! ”

Van Gundy applauded Link and Randolph's offense, and this time the Grizzlies executed the tactics very resolutely and clearly. Link's running and Randolph's passing are also very tacit.

Compared to Durant's rotation with Westbrook, Link's coordination with Randolph is much more efficient.

Link and Randolph raised their arms to each other, and their celebration was somewhat akin to the celebration between the Pistons and the "Double Wallaces."

From the very beginning of the first quarter, the forward line combination allowed the Thunder's defense to take care of each other. It's just that in the first quarter, the Grizzlies still dominated by Randolph's singles, supplemented by Link's cold shots.

And now, if the Grizzlies want to contain Westbrook, they also need both Link and Randolph to open up the situation. If the plan succeeds, Van Gundy is confident that the Grizzlies will be able to pull the score away before halftime!

The balance of victory in this duo battle has tilted in favor of the Grizzlies.