Hollins' strategy worked, and as soon as the game started, the Grizzlies' onslaught left the Thunder stunned. Link's pass, defense, and attack gave the Grizzlies a 6-0 lead as soon as they came up.

The Thunder are now in a dilemma, and they don't know whether to stick to the basket or put a little more effort beyond the three-point line. It seems that Link and Mayo are not going to be soft today.

After 6-0, the Grizzlies kept the rhythm under control. Moreover, at this time, something happened that gave Brooks a great headache - Durant stopped shooting!

Link's pressing on Durant was exaggerated, and he first made Durant unable to catch the ball. Even if he could catch the ball, Durant didn't dare to dribble.

Durant is now afraid of turnovers and of squandering opportunities. In the first few rounds of the first quarter of the game, Link's excellent play made Durant extremely jealous.

Therefore, throughout the first quarter and even the first half, Durant played very struggling. It can even be said that it is a bit too cautious.

Fortunately, Westbrook performed well in the first half, scoring 15 points on 6-of-10 shooting, and the Thunder did not let the Grizzlies collapse directly.

However, Battier's whistle-blowing shot in the second quarter still allowed the Thunder to enter the second half with a six-point deficit. The Thunder can only be said to have not collapsed, but they are not dominant either.

"The Grizzlies played very well in the first half, Mayo scored 10 points in the first half, shooting 4-of-6, and his performance was commendable, and the change in coach Hollins left the Thunder too late to react. And the Thunder side...... Kevin. Durant has to step up his offense. Otherwise, it is really worthy of the title of the league's scoring champion. "Hubby. As soon as Brown finished the half, he looked at Durant's stat sheet.

Throughout the first half, Durant was defeated by Link, Toney. Aaron and Battier's wheel battle is a mess. However, after looking at the data, it turned out to be even more embarrassing.

In the first half, Durant, as a scorer, was forced to only take 4 shots! Combined, the two quarters scored only 7 points.

If Durant can play normally, the Thunder can continue to live today. But if Durant still retreats in the second half, the Grizzlies will make history by reaching the Western Conference semifinals!

Scott. Brooks also understands this truth, and Durant played too indecisive in the first half. So this halftime, Brooks' first request after returning to the locker room was, "Kevin, I need you to shoot more in the second half!" ”

Relying on defense, the Thunder will definitely not be able to defend today. The Grizzlies have opened from beyond the three-point line, and Randolph has also found his form inside. Therefore, the Thunder can only rely on offense to win as before.

But without the blessing of the scoring champion, the Thunder's offense may not be stronger than the Grizzlies.

Brooks needs Durant now, and Durant knows very well that he has to carry the team forward! In the second half, even if the situation will be very difficult, Durant will have to shoot.

"I'll try, boss!" Durant nodded slightly, but in fact he was still very uneasy. What kind of defense he faced in the first half, only he knows.

On the other side, Tony. Allen and Battier sat on either side of Link and taught him how to defend Durant.

They all know very well that the Thunder are now behind, so Durant will inevitably increase the proportion of shots in the second half. Link's pressure on the defensive end will skyrocket, and it's up to him to see if he can withstand it.

"Okay, okay, don't be so nervous, it's Durant who should be nervous! What a scoring champion, at the Federal Express Arena, there is no scoring champion! Link waved his hand, and judging by Durant's performance in the first half today, he was confident that he could handle that guy

Puzzled to defend against the league's leading scorer in the playoffs? Link believes that after today, the whole world will report on his amazing defense!

※※※

Hubi. Brown looked around, unable to believe that this was a city that had just been hit by flooding. Basketball has probably never been so popular in Memphis.

In the past, in the playoffs, the Grizzlies were the spectators who were swept in the first round. In recent years, he has not even been able to enter the playoffs. Most people thought that the Grizzlies didn't have much of an audience in Memphis. And yet look at the present, look at all Memphis. The whole city has become crazy because of basketball.

At this moment, the stands were agitated, and countless fans chanted Link's name. Hubi. Brown saw a man with his wife and children, and he jumped up and down with excitement. He carried his son on his shoulder, and then asked him to hold up a plaque.

The above content makes Hubby. Brown felt his blood boil when he saw it, "Memphis, never compromise!" ”

Hubi. Brown, of course, didn't know that the phrase was actually changed from Link's mouth, and it was changed by a fan cheering for Link on the side of the street today. The whole city is now in the game.

Link also saw the nameplate and gave the fans a thumbs up. Everything that happened today is a source of Link's strength.

Since you have to lock up the scoring champion if you want to win the game, let me lock him down!

Durant had just passed half the court when he saw Link's beast-like eyes. Really, just seeing Link's eyes, Durant felt tired.

He's had enough!

Every round, unreservedly close pressing. Every round, tough to rough physical confrontation. Every time you take cover, you can cleverly bypass and get back to you.

Even the league's leading scorer would feel hopeless when confronted with such a defense.

In the Western Conference Finals last year, Kobe, who was also a super scorer, also encountered a difficult defender - Grant. Hill. It's a pity that the guy in front of Durant is faster, rougher, with longer arms and just as smart than the guy Kobe Bryant faced last season.

Pressing closely, Link held on throughout the first half, and he didn't intend to relax in the second half. Durant wants to cut inside? Yes, but only if Westbrook can get the ball to Durant.

Link's long arms and clever positioning have made it the norm for Durant to not receive the ball. There were several rounds in the first half, and Durant was isolated by Link to the bottom right corner, forcing the Thunder to play offensive tactics with only four people.

But this time, Durant can't just stand and watch. His team needs him, and he has to bring the game back to Oklahoma City!

So, Durant pushed Link roughly, and then immediately ran back and went out, raising his hand to ask for the ball!

Link gritted his teeth and kept up, it seems that Durant has also killed the red eye! But it doesn't matter, in the second half, Link also prepared a big gift for Durant!

Durant finally received the basketball, but found that the real nightmare had just arrived, and Link not only pressed this time, but also used tricks!

He resisted Durant's lower plate, and then his upper limbs took the initiative to touch! Durant can't be lucky now, and he doesn't dare to vote, he is simply restricted to death!

When a player has Hill, Tony. The combined defensive ability of the trio of Allen and Battier, well...... The scoring champion has to kneel.

At least it is more than enough to deal with the immature Durant now. Link knows that in another two or three years, this kind of trick will no longer work for Durant, who has been trained to attack with the ball. But who cares two or three years from now? Link just wants to drag Thunder into hell now!

Durant didn't get any space, and Link's defense made it hard for him. Durant then decided to play with his back to the single, and this was the only way!

"Back singles, in this way, KD can give full play to the advantage of height and arm length!"

Durant pushed his back back, and Link replied forcefully! Durant continued to recoil for the second time, and he increased his strength! But he hit it backwards, but he didn't hit anything, but staggered a few steps and fell to the ground!

Link just deliberately exerted his strength to lure Durant to increase the force of recoil. Then suddenly withdrew the stool, and Durant, who crashed into the air, naturally "couldn't sit steadily".

"Link is very smart defensively, he can handle almost any attack! Durant fell, he looked for his teammates on the floor, but before he could pass the ball, Link directly snatched the basketball from his hand, without mercy! The Grizzlies quickly counterattacked, and Durant was still sitting on the ground in embarrassment! ”

Durant sat on the ground, embarrassed. In the first attack of the second half, he still failed to make a shot. By the time he got up, Link had already assisted Mayo on a layup.

Seeing Link's roar of celebration, Durant was extremely frustrated.

Lost the draft, the other party lost the draft! And what about yourself? Top scorer? It seems that this title is no longer an honor, but an irony!

This time, Durant didn't even dare to get close to the three-point line. He knew that if he got closer, Link would suck you in like a magnet.

He asks for the ball again, and then shoots straight from a step from the three-point line!

"Kevin shot directly from the three-point line, he is full of confidence!" Kevin. Harlan shouted passionately, and Hubi on the side. Brown shook his head.

What kind of self-confidence is this, it is simply a helpless compromise. For Durant, being able to shoot seems to be a victory already. Forcing the scoring champion to this step, that kid is not simple.

Most of the undrafted picks are based on defense to establish themselves in the league, but don't forget, in addition to Link's ability to defend, he is also very good at scoring. Hubi. Brown didn't know where Link's ceiling was, as if he could be as strong as his opponent was!

"Boom!"

Durant's ultra-long-range three-pointers still didn't score, because Link still didn't let Durant go, even though he was forced to shoot from such a distance.

This time, although Durant made a successful shot, he still did not score. Invisibly, the frustration of the scoring champion has multiplied!

After defending Durant, Link immediately rushed to the front court frantically and received a long pass from Conley! At this time, Durant was still stunned. Watch Link jump in the box and smash the ball into the basket with one hand!

"Ten points! Link's dunk gave the Grizzlies a 10-point lead! Coach Brooks paused, and the entire Federal Express Arena erupted like a volcano! Crazy, Link is completely crazy today. He won't give Durant a chance, he won't give the Thunder a chance. He's going to kill the series here, on his home court, in front of the Grizzlies fans! ”

Old man Hubi was so excited that his face turned red, Kevin. Harlan took out the spare medicine, really worried that Hubi's blood pressure would soar and cause a cerebral hemorrhage.

"If Durant is a super scorer, then today, Link is a super defensive player! The flood has cleared, but Link's terrifying prestige will live on forever at the Federal Express Arena! He is the Iron Guard of Memphis, and he guards every inch of land and glory here! ”

Under Hubby's commentary, Link walks off the court. He didn't know that he had a new nickname.

The Iron Guard of Memphis.