728: This time is a complete victory
At the end of the first quarter, the Thunder fell 11 points behind.
For Thunder, this is undoubtedly a very unfavorable situation. But on the other hand, Thunder is lucky.
At least, they still have three full quarters of time to narrow the gap. It doesn't seem that scary to spread the gap of 11 points into three quarters of games.
Durant also thought so. When he was beaten by Link in the first quarter, he also hoped that he could turn the tide in the next three quarters.
He told himself that everything wasn't over and he still had a chance to redefine the game.
Enough time can always make people have various fantasies.
My next test scores will be better, I will definitely not mess up on my next date, I will definitely work harder tomorrow.
However, when time goes from plenty to tight, the situation often becomes: I am still previewing only one day before the exam. I am only one hour before the date, but I can’t find a pair of clean pants.
Durant is also facing such a dilemma now. When the game reached the fifth minute of the fourth quarter and the Thunder was still 12 points behind, all the beautiful fantasies in Durant's heart were shattered.
At this time, he could no longer give himself much comfort, and he could no longer place his hopes on the next section.
If the Thunder could equalize the score today, they would have done it long ago. Since they couldn't do it in the previous three quarters, how can they expect the Thunder to turn the tide in the last five minutes?
Tight time is the easiest to shatter the fantasy.
"Kevin, Kevin!"
Scott Brooks' two shouts brought Durant back to the scorching Federal Express Arena.
In front of Durant was the frowning coach, and beside him were his breathless teammates.
The Thunder were beaten in a very embarrassing situation today. The Thunder has never been so embarrassing since they fought with the Grizzlies this season.
Their offense became shattered under the Grizzlies' disciplined defense, and Durant could basically be in a situation of fighting alone.
What about the Grizzlies' offense? Under Link's leadership, they played a multi-point blooming game.
When the Thunder discovered that Durant could not contain Link in one-on-one today, Brooks began to arrange double-teams and assist in defense.
So the rest of the Grizzlies got and seized the opportunity.
Now that Link is 5 minutes away from the end of the game, he has scored a double-double with 27 points and 11 assists, with only one turnover mixed in between.
This is enough to show how smooth the Grizzlies' offense is today. The data of basketball games are the most intuitive to visualize the situation on the spot.
Where is Durant? He scored 29 points, but his shooting percentage was just over 40%. And except for himself, he did not lead anyone else on the offensive end.
Durant's performance in the last three games has been exaggerated. He defeated James' Heat and Paul's Clippers, but Durant's momentum came to an abrupt end in front of Link's Grizzlies.
This game where Durant revenges Link was completely changed. The Thunder did not complete the revenge, but instead proved that the Grizzlies are indeed the only team in the league.
"Kevin!"
Scott Brooks shouted again, and Durant then threw away the messy thoughts.
He nodded to his coach and said he was listening.
"I know the situation is difficult, but this is not the end of the world! We can't give up first, and we will look for more opportunities outside the three-point line! Kevin, calm down, we still have time!"
Brooks is unwilling to give up the game, although it is difficult to catch up with the Grizzlies in the rankings in the current situation. But facing the imaginary enemy of the Western Conference Finals, Brooks naturally wants to push the team out of the limit.
Now if you lose to the Grizzlies easily, can you guarantee that you can win when you meet them in the playoffs?
Durant nodded silently, and then the electronic buzzer interrupted his conversation with Scott Brooks.
Durant understands the truth, but the basketball court is not a place to reason.
Durant knew that he could not give up easily, but after the game, he was already overwhelmed by Link.
Link's performance today made Durant very frustrated. He was not sure whether he could turn the tide.
A player is not afraid of others doubting himself, but afraid of him doubting himself.
The game started again, except for the black and white bears, the three outside lines were still all over the Grizzlies.
On the Thunder, Brooks used first-year center Stephen Adams to replace Perkins, who performed poorly today.
When Link saw Adams on the court for the first time today, he almost didn't recognize him. Mobile::
I really can't believe that this white and pure white insider with short hair will be so wild in the future.
Link took the lead in looking at Durant after appearing, but Durant avoided his gaze.
Link knew at that time that this game was most likely stable! Durant, that guy, he was afraid!
The final five minutes of the game, no, maybe it will end in five minutes, the game will all depend on whether the Thunder can last until the end.
Westbrook wasn't crazy this time. He knew that his current mission was to deliver ammunition to Durant outside the three-point line.
The Thunder's first offense was very successful in tactics. Westbrook used the screen to break through, and Durant waited for an opportunity to ambush the ball to the right bottom corner to receive the ball and shoot.
The Thunder's tactics were implemented, but Durant's shot disappointed Brooks.
When Durant shot, his mind was full of messy things and he was not focused at all.
He was wondering why Link became so strong today, why he struggled for so long and could not get close to the score, but he didn't think about how to throw the ball into it.
So, Durant's three-point shot hit the side of the basket under Link's interference and failed to hit!
At that moment, Brooks covered his forehead, knowing that it was hard to have any hope for this game.
Brooks could see that Link had completely psychologically destroyed Durant today!
"Kevin's key shot was still not hit, and his efficiency today was beyond expectations! The Grizzlies counterattacked, and Link crossed the defense line with the ball! He attacked the frame from the side and used a pull-up action to avoid Stephen Adams' blockade and scored easily! Beautiful, Adams may not know how Link avoided the defense. The difference has become 14 points, what the Thunder must do!"
Link scored 29 points and 11 assists, and Durant is now behind Link's proud individual score.
A sense of frustration invaded Durant's whole body, and this sense of frustration did not work except to make Durant's shooting increasingly inaccurate.
18 seconds later, Durant's frustration made him miss his second three-pointer in a row.
This time, Westbrook was a rare real point guard. After directing his teammates to run, he found Durant with a very exquisite pass in the process.
But Durant wasted this excellent opportunity and the last chance for the Thunder.
Durant's second shot formed a long rebound, which means that he could easily fight back as long as he seized the opportunity.
Conley quickly advanced from the middle after grabbing the rebound. At the same time, Iguodala and Link began to follow up on the left and right.
Finally, he gently threw the ball to the right and completed the air cooperation with Link in tacit understanding.
Link scored 31 points and 11 assists, even though Durant missed two consecutive shots, even if the gap between the Thunder and the Grizzlies was like from Boston to Los Angeles.
But Link still did not stop. He worked tirelessly to destroy Durant's nerves. He wanted to make the last game of both sides in the regular season deeply rooted in Durant's heart!
The Thunder did beat the Grizzlies twice, and the two sides did play very anxiously in the last game. It seems that the Thunder is the one who brought the biggest trouble to the Grizzlies this season.
But after today, Link will convince people that the Thunder are not the only nemesis of the Grizzlies.
One minute later, when Durant missed the jump shot from outside the three-point line for the third consecutive time, the game also announced that it had entered garbage time in advance.
When Durant was substituted, his score was frozen at 29 points, with a shooting percentage of only 38%.
Link walked back to the bench proudly with 31 points, 12 assists and 8 rebounds.
Espn gave Link and Durant a split-screen shot, and the two of them had completely opposite emotions written on their faces.
"Today Link completely destroyed Durant, and KD missed three consecutive three-pointers at the critical moment. He had the opportunity to change everything, but he did not seize that opportunity. On the other hand, Link showed an excellent offensive state since the first round of the game. Even though he was leading more than ten points just now, he did not relax. Maybe Durant and Thunder fans don't want to admit it, but I have to say. Today, the game was not at all anxious. This time, Link beat KD!"
Hubby Brown's commentary made countless Thunder fans turn off the TV angrily.
It's just that he's pitiful Durant, he can't turn off the TV and he's done it all. He still has to endure the torture of counting up like a year in the Federal Express Arena.
After the electronic beep sounded, the score was frozen at 114 to 102. With the unremitting efforts of garbage time, the Thunder made the score difference less ugly.
Durant, who had a shooting percentage of less than 40%, stood up and wanted to leave the court as soon as possible.
But as soon as he got up, he was greeted by Link, "passionately" and grabbed his right hand.
"You guys played well today, but they were a little bit lucky, man." Link smiled wickedly. He knew Durant wanted to leave, so he refused!
Durant was not able to leave directly in front of so many reporters. Facing Link's proactive expression, he had to hug Link.
"Durant hugged Link with a friendly hug after the game. Are they considered resolving their grudges?"
Hubby Brown didn't know the conversation between the two after the hug, otherwise he wouldn't have thought it was a "friendly" hug.
When Durant and Link hugged, Link put his mouth to Durant's ear and said something softly.
After the hug, Durant left with his head down. Link remained where he accepted an interview with the reporters.
As soon as Durant walked into the player passage, he angrily kicked over the trash can beside him.
"As you wish, you must be very unforgettable for this last showdown in the regular season. Now we draw again, Kevin."
Chapter completed!