104: February Dilemma (16/40)
As time goes by February, the Grizzlies are in high morale due to the incidents of Link and Randolph.
Although there are players like Mayo who have low morale, the Grizzlies are in very good shape overall.
In the first game in February, the Grizzlies easily won. Although the "Wolf King" Kevin Love at that time still scored a double-double of 10+10. However, compared with Randolph's 23 points and 13 rebounds, it was still much inferior.
102 to 84, the Grizzlies won the first game in February. Mayo, who made only 1 of 6 shots in this game, scored only 4 points, is undoubtedly one of the worst performers of the Grizzlies. Compared with Link's 14 points and 5 rebounds, it is a straightforward judgment.
No wonder people don't feel strange about Link occupying the second position.
Two days later, on February 4, the Grizzlies beat the Cavaliers at home again. At this time, the Cavaliers not only lost LeBron and James, but also Kelly and Irving have not entered the league yet. Therefore, the whole team is so bad and bad. The regular season has been played until February, and the Cavaliers have won 8 games.
The title of the league is at the bottom, and no one can compete with them.
Faced with such a bottom-sized team, the Grizzlies are also not ruthless.
At 112 to 101, the Grizzlies won again. So far, the Grizzlies have won five consecutive victories. The gap with the Ninth Rockets in the West is getting bigger and bigger.
The media have been boasting that the Grizzlies are about to play their best season after Gasol left. The combination of Link and Randolph will make the West's first eight and second half of the first and second half of the area.
However, at this critical moment, the Grizzlies were in trouble.
In February, it was not just the Grizzlies sprinting. All teams were working hard for the final ranking.
On February 5, he faced his old enemy Houston Rockets again back to back. Link scored 25 points, 6 assists and 8 rebounds. However, because the rest of the Grizzlies were too tired, the Grizzlies lost by 4 points. Not only did the five consecutive victories ended, but the Rockets also narrowed some gaps.
On February 7th, facing the Lakers who were determined to compete for the first place with the Spurs, the Grizzlies lost again. In this game, the Lakers, who were united, played an abnormal performance of 6 players scoring in double digits. Kobe "just" shot 17 times, only 4 more than Odom. Today, the Lakers seemed to have played a Spurs-style team attack and caught the Grizzlies off guard.
Although after the game, Kobe said to Link, who scored 18 points and 8 rebounds, "I have the chance to train together in the summer."
This was recognized by Kobe, but after losing the ball, Link couldn't be happy.
After playing against the Lakers, the Grizzlies ushered in another round of away back-to-back. To be honest, Link really feels that the league's schedule is unfair. Because he comes to the Grizzlies and has played countless rounds of back-to-back games. He dare not say that the Grizzlies have the most back-to-back games this season, but there is definitely no pressure to be in the top three.
On February 8, the Grizzlies defeated Oklahoma and fought again with the Thunder.
Although the Grizzlies defeated the Thunder last time, if they underestimated this youth team, it would be worth it. After all, this team is now on par with the Lakers and is also eyeing the No. 1 in the West.
So, today's game was still fierce. The Thunder team had a strong confrontation, which made the Grizzlies fighting back to back a little uncomfortable.
Durant and Westbrook are eager to get revenge, and they don't want to lose to a team that can't even make the top five in the West for the second time.
Thunder coach Scott Brooks also made a tough move today. He let Ibaka appear from the beginning, specifically to curb Randolph.
Randolph was already very tired and had to fight Ibaka hard steel right away as soon as he got up, so it was very difficult to fight.
Fortunately, Link and Guy performed well today, which barely allowed the Grizzlies to stabilize the situation. Speaking of which, although Guy occasionally was disliked by others, Guy was much more reliable than Mayo in critical moments.
The game went on anxiously to the fifth minute of the fourth quarter. At this time, the Grizzlies were 4 points behind the Thunder and still had hope of a comeback. As the Grizzlies' best player today, Guy confronted Durant outside the three-point line.
I don’t know why, but Guy is very excited every time he plays Durant. The same is true last time. If it weren’t for Guy’s restrictions on Durant, the Grizzlies would have been difficult for him to win.
Guy knew he was shouldering heavy responsibilities, so he chose to play singles with the ball. But to be honest, Hollins doesn't like Guy playing singles with the ball. He actually hopes that the team's offense can pass more.
Guy called for cover and then broke through with the ball.
Durant was blocked by Gasolza Jr., and watched Guy break into the penalty area.
"Rudy Guy looks very angry. He doesn't allow the team to suffer the shame of losing three consecutive times in this sprint moment in February!"
With the commentator's yell, Rudy Guy's "spring legs" made him soar into the air, and this guy looked like he was going to be deducted!
But the Thunder did not want to give up this victory. They were looking forward to revenge for dozens of days and nights. So Sergi Ibaka, the Thunder's pillar on the inside defensive end, stood up.
He was not afraid of Guy who had rushed over suddenly, and he forced himself to fight! Two "spring men" collided in the air. Link watched the air showdown between Ibaka and Guy, and he was drooling with envy.
When will I have such perverted athletic ability?
In the air, both of them refused to give in and suddenly exerted force. Guy wanted to buckle, but Ibaka wanted to block. Under such circumstances, fierce body collisions were inevitable.
Ibaka collided with Guy fiercely. Guy screamed in the air, suddenly losing all his gravity, and then he fell down!
Link didn't care too much at first, and the players couldn't help but shout when they were in a fierce confrontation. This was a conditioned reflex.
However, after Guy landed, he covered his shoulders wrapped in protective gear. Only then did Link realize that something was wrong!
"Rudy Guy looked very painful. He covered his shoulders. As we all know, Guy has been on the court with injuries, and his shoulders have not been very good. Could it be that the confrontation just now that his shoulder injuries have worsened!?"
On the commentary stage, all the commentators stood up and watched the stadium.
Link and Guy had no good relationship, and they even had the meaning of competitors. But when they saw their teammates fall to the ground due to injury, Link didn't think so much and hurriedly surrounded them. Sometimes, personal grudges cannot override the interests of the team.
He still remembers that Guy made a forced comeback because he was afraid of taking his position. According to the original history, Guy will be reimbursed this season due to a shoulder injury.
Thinking of this, Link couldn't help swallowing. The injury that he had to be reimbursed for the season was probably this time
Seeing that Guy was unable to get up for a long time, the Grizzlies team doctor stepped into the stadium. After a simple inquiry and inspection, the team doctor waved to the bench. This meant that Guy needed to be carried out of the stadium by a stretcher!
"The stretcher team is on the court, which means that Rudy Guy is likely to be unable to stick to the game! God, I hope his shoulder is not seriously injured. After all, this is not the first time Guy has suffered a shoulder injury."
"Yes, yes, Guy's injury retreatment is simply devastating to the Grizzlies! Not to mention this game, this even casts a shadow on their prospects for the playoffs! The Grizzlies are one of the biggest dark horses this year, I hope Guy won't be absent for too long!"
The commentators were talking, but everyone from the Thunder felt very unkindly happy. After all, after Gay was injured, the probability of their winning of this game was undoubtedly greatly increased.
Guy had scored 20 points before, which was the Grizzlies' most powerful offensive point. Moreover, his restrictions on Durant on the defensive end were pretty good.
But at this moment, the Thunder team's obstacles were gone!
Due to the chaos in the scene, the game was forced to stop. Lionel Hollins is now in a hurry, and Guy's sudden injury completely broke his plan.
Now the team is 4 points behind and is in the hurdle of three consecutive losses. He really doesn't know what to do.
However, as a head coach, he cannot panic first. Otherwise, his players will be even more chaotic.
So Hollins took a deep breath and tried to calm himself down. They were all adults and had to solve problems instead of creating problems for themselves.
At present, the most urgent problem that the Grizzlies need to solve is who to play the third position against Durant!
"Link!" Having almost thought, Hollins called Link.
"I am here."
"I need you to confront Durant, can you keep it steady?"
"Bao!" Link cursed in his heart. It is not difficult to deal with Durant and Harden.
But now the team needs itself, so they can't escape at the last minute. So, Link nodded and agreed.
"I try my best."
"Very good, then the second position, Tony, get rid of you." Hollins turned his head to Tony Allen again, this was the lineup he had expected for a long time.
Conley, Tony Allen, Link, Randolph and Gasol Jr.
Chapter completed!