After the regular season, each team received two days of rest. Two days later, the fishing thing that should be fished. And the ones that should be fought will start their most passionate time of the year.

Before the playoffs began, Espn made a forward-looking special program. This time, the Memphis Grizzlies were valued for the first time. In the eyes of Espn experts, the Grizzlies have become a champion challenger.

"The situation in the West is very interesting. The Spurs, Thunder and Grizzlies all have the strength to compete for the final glory."

"In fact, we all know that Kevin Durant has already issued a letter of war against Link. This year, Durant is eager to have a second battle with James. No matter who stands in front of him, he will move forward bravely."

"The Grizzlies won the final in the regular season this season in a devastating way. I wonder if their state will continue in the playoffs."

How far can the Grizzlies do? It has become the biggest suspense in this year's playoffs. Finally, the entire league has experienced the threat of this small team to the championship.

There are many different opinions on whether the Grizzlies can win the final championship. But one thing is that everyone's opinion is quite consistent.

To quote a sentence from t.nt news, it is, "No matter what kind of results the Grizzlies will get in the end, the Rockets will be in great trouble."

In the first round of the Western Conference playoffs, the first Grizzlies played against the eighth Rockets. This game seemed to be destined before the start.

※※※

Kevin McHale must be very upset at this time, annoyed why the Rockets failed to defeat the Lakers in the last game of the regular season.

This year, the Lakers F4 suffered a tragic Waterloo. They were originally considered as candidates for the championship, but in the end they only scored 45 wins and 37 losses. This record was the same as the Rockets, but because the Lakers won more games against the Rockets, the Lakers finally ranked seventh.

The Rockets can only play against the West No. 1.

The last time the Rockets played in the playoffs was in the 2008-09 season, and that was also Yao Ming's last relatively complete season in the NBA.

After three consecutive years, the Rockets have been the "Lotto Champion" and ranked ninth every year, becoming a stable group. This year, the Rockets finally got rid of the curse of "Lotto Champion" and successfully entered the playoffs.

Logically speaking, Rockets players and coaches should be happy. Entering the playoffs means that their reconstruction has achieved initial success.

But now, the Rockets are filled with a desperate atmosphere from top to bottom.

Indeed, even if the Rockets fight against the second-place Thunder in the West, they have no chance of winning. But to be honest, the Thunder is not that desperate. If they encounter the Thunder, the Rockets players will still have the fighting spirit to win and cause some trouble for the Thunder.

But there is no hope for the Grizzlies!

The Rockets are very clear about the Grizzlies' style. The two teams met four times this season, and the Rockets lost 3 and won 1, which is enough to show the problem. Moreover, in the last time the two sides fought, the Rockets were completely beaten to no avail.

The Thunder is the kind that although strong, it doesn't give people a ruthless feeling. Moreover, Westbrook is also a time bomb. So in the game against the Thunder, you can always feel a glimmer of hope.

But the Grizzlies are different. The group of "bandits" in Memphis are strong and ruthless! Once they come on the field, the Grizzlies will catch their opponents and beat them up until they can't get up.

So, McHale is now quite embarrassed. He fought hard for a season and finally got a playoff spot. But if he was shaved in the playoffs and could not win a single game, it would be better to get a lottery draw.

Thinking of this, McHale clenched his fists. In any case, the Rockets had to peel off a piece of skin from the Grizzlies!

If you come, you have to play the Rockets' character.

On the other hand, the Grizzlies are also preparing for the game in an orderly manner. Although the Rockets' hard power cannot be compared with the Grizzlies, Link is still very serious.

The day before the game started, at a regular press conference, Link made his goal without hesitation.

"Win? Winning is not the goal, it is something that must be done. The goal of the first round of the series is very simple. We have to sweep our opponents 4-0! If the first round is difficult, then there is no need to play in the subsequent games."

Link's speech was merciless and he didn't even give the Rockets any face.

But this is Link's personality. It would be fine if he didn't mess with him. Once he messed with him, he would be very stingy and insisted on killing his opponent.

There are many stars who were abused because of quarrels or conflicts with Link.

Link's speech was too direct, so he naturally attracted a lot of dark guys. Some people think that after winning 70 wins, Link is too arrogant. The Rockets may not be able to win the Grizzlies, but it will definitely make the arrogant Link pay some price.

Link was disdainful of this statement. Three hours before the game, Link, who was interviewed in the player channel, also responded to this.

"Of course I will pay the price, but that was the first time in the Western Conference semi-finals! If the Rockets had this ability, I would like to experience it."

From the beginning, Link was hostile to the Rockets. This was not targeting others, but just Morey.

Unfortunately, the rest of the Rockets had to accept the punishment for Morey.

※※※

In the playoffs, this is the battlefield that Link is longing for. After seeing the Rockets player wearing a red jersey, Link undoubtedly became even more excited.

Link would not let go of every opportunity that makes Morey want to cry.

Before the game started, the live footage gave Link and Harden a split-screen close-up, and the data from the two of them for the regular season this season were attached below the screen.

Harden has made a leap forward this season. He averaged only 16.8 points per game last season, and his average score soared to 25.9 points this season! At the same time, Harden can average 5.8 assists and 4.9 rebounds per game.

Link has 26.6 points, 6.5 assists and 7.0 rebounds in the regular season this season! In addition, he can also score 1.3 steals and 0.8 blocks. The data is basically close to Grant Hill at his peak! He has truly achieved an offense and defense integration and omnipotence.

In terms of omnipotence, only James can surpass Link in this data.

From all aspects, Link's data is better than Harden. But overall, the gap is not too big.

However, people who often watch the game know that Link and Harden are not at the same level this season, and the gap between the two's actual performance is much larger than the gap reflected by the data.

Harden often has poor condition this season, with a shooting percentage of 20 to 30 percent and a score of less than double-digit points happening from time to time.

Link scored at least 17 points in a regular season this season! He can always show his best form, instead of relying on occasional big explosions to increase the average data.

If Harden's state is a undulating wavy line, then Link's state is a straight line with almost no waves. In terms of stability and ability to handle critical moments, Harden is far inferior to Link.

But even so, the Rockets have a pretty good star. If Harden is in excellent form today, he might be able to compete with the Grizzlies.

"This is the playoffs. In the playoffs, until four games are won, no one is safe. The Rockets may still have a chance, and the suspense may not be ended." Before the game, Espn commentator Mike Bryn also expressed this view. He did not think that the Rockets are the lambs that can be slaughtered.

"Mike, how many Grizzlies' games have you watched this season?" Hearing Mike Brin say this, Hubby Brown, who was sent to partner with Mike Brin, asked quippedly.

Hubby Brown + Mike Brin, this luxurious commentary lineup is enough to show how much ESPN attaches importance to the Grizzlies now.

"I didn't see much. During the regular season, I only came to Memphis to comment on the game two or three times." Brin admitted.

"Well that's right. No wonder you'll misunderstand the grizzly."

"Misunderstanding?" Mike Brin stared at Old Huby with a smirk, "What's the misunderstanding?"

"You actually mistakenly thought that the Rockets still have a chance."

On the court, both sides have entered the designated position. On the Rockets, McHale has not changed the lineup and still sent a lineup composed of Jeremy Lin, Harden, Parsons, Greg Smith and Asik.

From paper, the Rockets basically do not have the advantage in every position.

After the kickoff, Asik won the ball for the Rockets. Jeremy Lin organized the ball after halftime and finally passed the ball to Harden, who had borrowed the cover.

As soon as Harden received the ball, he felt a chill on his back. Today, it was Link who faced him!

"The Grizzlies asked Iguodala to mark Parsons today, while Link guarded in front of Harden. Will the leading aces of the two teams be head-on at the beginning?"

Harden gritted his teeth. He originally thought that his opponent would be Iguodala today. Because according to the video analysis, in order to save Link's physical strength, Iguodala usually helps Link defend the opponent's number one scorer.

But at the beginning of the game, Harden received his first surprise.

"Don't be nervous, I'm not really a god of death." At this moment, Link smiled and said something to Harden.

Strictly speaking, this is not a trash talk. Link neither scolded nor mocked him. But this ordinary sentence made Harden even more scared.

That guy actually saw that he was nervous!

Harden finally chose to break through and pass the ball, but did not confront Link head-on. As the Rockets' number one scorer, Harden did not stand up in the first leg.

In the end, Asik's strong attack at the basket was directly suppressed by Gasol. This year, Gasol is a strong contender for the best defensive player.

Link picked up the basketball blocked by Gasol and directly made a quick attack!

Jeremy Lin looked at the running Link and was a little dazed. He thought that last year, they also appeared in Time magazine at the same time. But now, the two are completely different.

Link quickly advanced to the basket, and the Rockets' overall retreat was very bad. Just as Link was preparing to attack the box, Greg Smith, a sophomore undrafted, rushed to the basket.

Smith is a sports insider, and he can do nothing, he can run and jump. He naturally hopes that he can successfully block Link with his good running and jumping ability. The playoffs are a stage for fame!

But as soon as Smith took off, he found that his so-called "advantage" was not worth mentioning in front of Link!

His proud athletic ability is completely a slap in front of Link!

"Don't" Smith muttered in his heart as he watched Link who had jumped up and bounced completely overwhelmed his.

The next second, Link hit the ball hard and dunked it into the frame through Smith. Smith was bounced out of the bottom line by the huge impact force and fell under the basketball stand in a mess.

He knew that he was locked up!

"A dunk was staged at the beginning! Link was very dangerous today, don't get close to him easily!"

After Link landed, he walked to Smith, who was still sitting on the ground, looked down at him condescendingly, and shook his head gently.

"Promise me, stop doing such stupid things, okay? I'm really afraid of hurting you. Damn, do you really think you can stop me?"

Mike Brynn on the commentary stage covered his forehead, and he was a little embarrassed by Smith. Unexpectedly, Link became so irritable as soon as he got up, and he didn't give the Rockets any chance.
Chapter completed!