233: More Than a Scorer
90-91, the Thunder led by 1 point in the last three minutes. Kevin Durant scored a goal and punched the big and taciturn man used his movements and expressions to express his emotions.
Westbrook kept applauding Durant, but still couldn't hide the embarrassment that he couldn't score after four quarters.
0 out of 11, this data can be said to be very Westbrook.
Durant has scored 28 points so far, making 8 of 15 shots, and his shooting percentage is close to 60%!
Link scored a full 10 points less than Durant, but compared to Durant, he scored 9 assists. So from the data, it is hard to say who wins and who loses.
But soon, the battle between these two people will come to an end.
"James, you will play in the last three minutes. I need you to handle every attack calmly." Scott Brooks chose to replace Westbrook in the last three minutes, which was also a helpless move.
Westbrook made 0 of 11 shots, while Harden has played 5 of 11 shots and scored 20 points. Who should the head coach use in the last moment? It doesn't seem like a difficult choice.
Westbrook didn't say much, lowered his head and sat on the bench. His performance today was here, and he really didn't have much capital to ask for playing time.
On the Grizzlies, Hollins is still in that lineup, with Link, Tony Allen, Guy and the Black and White Bears all appearing, which is the lineup for the Grizzlies to end the game.
"In the last three minutes, the Thunder replaced Westbrook. I would say that this may be a very correct decision. Now, the Thunder have two scoring points, Harden and Durant, and their last-minute firepower will cause huge trouble for the Grizzlies."
After Durant came on the court, he looked up at the score. The Grizzlies were indeed not so easy to be defeated. But now Westbrook will not be messed up anymore, and Durant is confident of winning the game!
Of course, he still has something particularly excited about now Brooks finally asked him to defend Link!
Because Harden's defensive ability is limited, Brooks asked Harden to defend Tony Allen. Durant naturally returned to Link with legitimate reason!
In the last three minutes, Durant was eager to put an end to it!
At the end of the timeout, the Grizzlies sent a baseline ball, and Link took the ball as usual and passed the half. Durant immediately stepped forward, and he couldn't wait!
"Now, Russell won't bother us." Durant finally spoke, which shows how excited he was.
"Westbrook would be very sad to hear you say this." Link responded, then hung the ball to Randolph.
Link's thinking is very clear, and he will not affect his thinking because of other people's provocations. He knows how to anger others, so he is rarely angered.
After giving the ball to Randolph, Link immediately cut to the basket. But Durant still kept it around him and did not allow him to catch the ball.
However, Link's empty cut is just to attract defense. Randolph's real pass target is Guy!
"Rudy Guy received the basketball, and Seferza was indecisive to him. Guy made a jump shot!"
The opportunity came out, but unfortunately, Guy was really not good at hitting straightforward today.
This time, Guy's 21st attack. Because Link turned to the No. 1 position, Guy obtained a lot of attack rights today. His attack ratio was even higher than Durant!
However, the shooting percentage is less than 40%. Guy's mid-range shot choice is sometimes really unpredictable.
This time, Guy made a fuss again. He hated himself, but Seferosa's defense was indecisive to Guy.
Hollins covered his head, and Guy scored 14 points efficiently in the last game, showing that he was willing to be his deputy. But today, everything was back to its original form.
"Rudy Guy missed his shot, the Thunder's chances are not there, Randolph is actively fighting for offensive rebounds!" Hubby Brown suddenly changed his words halfway through his words, and the Grizzlies will never give up easily at critical moments!
Randolph and Ibaka got together. Although Randolph failed to grab the rebound directly, he still pulled the basketball again, and neither side grabbed the rebound!
After basketball fell behind again, Link rushed up to fight for rebounds! In the air, Link was toughly collided by Ibaka and Durant. But he still stabilized his center of gravity and protected the rebounds steadily!
"Another frontcourt rebound, the Grizzlies got a second offensive opportunity. This is their characteristic, they are as active as ever in the fight against frontcourt rebounds!"
"Damn it!" Durant was furious. He was snatched offensive rebounds even though he was defending himself. This was undoubtedly one of the most annoying things on the basketball court.
Link dribbles the ball out of the three-point line again, and his current data has become 18 points, 9 assists and 7 rebounds. If Link's all-round ability last season was not obvious enough, then this year, even if you are just a new fan who only knows how to look at the data, you can still see Link's all-round ability.
Link knew that the Thunder was serious and it was too risky to continue to make Guy throw it. So Link waved his hand and decided to do it himself!
Randolph arrived with cover, but Link did not walk on the side with cover, just a fake pick-and-roll!
Link's speed was not enough to completely get him to throw Durant away and fight to the basket, so Link ran towards the bottom line. Then, before Durant rushed over, he threw the board with one hand.
This is another "atypical" attack. Link's movements actually look like throwing the ball out at will. But his good feel and consciousness allow him to frequently hit the ball that looks like a shot that doesn't look like a shot or a shot.
The basketball was reflected into the net by mistake, and Link scored his 20th point!
"Turn over again! The sparks were sparked when Link and Durant met! One offensive rebound and one beautiful goal, Link bravely stood up, and he let the Grizzlies crawl back from the edge of the cliff!"
It is still useful to play round-robin with Jimmy Butler and Tony Allen. Now Link is used to playing under high pressure defense.
In the next round, Durant found that Link was also back to him. He no longer defended the No. 1 position, but returned to the No. 3 position! Harden was handed over to Tony Allen to deal with it.
This is Hollins' helpless move, because today Tony Allen and Guy are not effective in defending Durant, so they can only let Link try it.
Link has just settled Durant on the offensive end, so it's up to the defense now.
However, Durant's anger is now full, and he has no "restraint" of Westbrook. After he breaks through, he suddenly stops suddenly. Link thought Durant is going to shoot.
Little did he know that Durant had turned around and Link was completely passed!
Durant transferred to the basket and made a layup easily. The Thunder took the lead again, Durant scored 30 points!
"It's really troublesome!" Link wiped his sweat with his collar and teased Westbrook for the whole time. Now he still has to face Durant's big trouble.
In the following rounds, the Thunder and the Grizzlies had offensive and defense, but neither Link nor Durant missed.
Link made a three-pointer but was ordered to cross the line, adding two more points. Durant sat down and hit Link one, playing with his back, which was also Durant's new skill.
At this point, Link scored 22 points, Durant scored 10,32 points in 17! The Thunder still led by 1 point!
With 30 seconds left in the game, Durant knew very well that as long as he persisted in these 30 seconds, everything would be over!
Coach Hollins called a timeout, which was the last timeout for the Grizzlies. Hollins' tactic was to let Link borrow cover to play singles. He did not hand over this attack at a critical moment to Randolph and Guy, but to Link.
It can be seen that something inside the Grizzlies is quietly changing.
"Kevin, in the last 30 seconds, you only need to defend this goal and we won! I know you want to beat Link, this is the best opportunity!" On the other side, Brooks also inspired Durant.
As long as you win today's game, Link will be useless even if Westbrook gets 0 of 11 shots!
Link had long guessed that this would happen in the game against the Thunder, so when he made the final 30 seconds, he was not nervous.
Durant calmly pressed down on the center of gravity. Link scored 22 points today. This point was already high enough for Durant. He would not allow it, and this guy scored another key goal!
"Link has passed half of the ball. Let's see how the Grizzlies' last offense will be executed!"
Link dribbles on the spot and waits for time to consume. He doesn't want to leave too much time for the Thunder, he is full of confidence in this offense!
When there are 8 seconds left in the attack, Link waves and the black and white bears are double covers!
Hollins' tactic is to let Link use the cover to get rid of Durant. As long as he can get rid of Durant, Link will definitely end the game!
But Durant squeezed through the cover this time and defended himself to Link. He wanted to force him to stop Link, but found that Link's ability to confront this season was completely different from last season!
Link leaned against Durant and broke through to the basket!
"Don't even think about it!" Durant shouted, and then jumped as Link jumped up, ready to block it!
"Will the Oklahoma City Thunder succeed??" Hubby Brown felt his heart beating faster. This time offense and defense may be the essence of this game!
In the air, Link was completely blocked. Durant was in front and Ibaka was in the back. Both of them were tall and long-armed blockers.
That's right, Ibaka. With Ibaka behind me, Link became much more at ease.
Indeed, Link can play Westbrook alone and just made a key goal with a throw-in from Durant's head.
But from beginning to end, Link was more than just a scorer!
Big Black Bear, it’s decided that it’s you!
"It's not a layup, it's a pass! Link broke through and passed the ball and sent the ball to Zach Randolph! Randolph held the ball outside the three-point line and received the ball and shot!"
Link has been strong this summer and has improved his offense with the ball. And what about Randolph? The Big Black Bear specially practiced his three-pointer!
With no defense, Randolph took the initiative with ease, basketball was unbiased and hollow into the net!
"The key assist is also Link's 10th assist in this game! 22 points and 10 assists. The Grizzlies have just played the second game in the new season of the NBA, and Link scored a double-double data!"
Randolph's goal gave the Grizzlies 2 points ahead of the Thunder in the last 8 seconds! This means that the Thunder will have to add one 3 points to win the game!
Durant looked at Link's data and sighed secretly. Even at the most tense moments, Link was always able to make the most correct decision.
With 22 points and 10 assists, only 2 turnovers, this is Link, who is omnipotent and steady, is his most terrifying thing.
Chapter completed!