.........
The Grizzlies blossomed more on the offensive end, while the Thunder struck frequently, and the score was quickly opened up.
Zhao Chen came on the scene with 5 minutes and 22 seconds left in the first quarter.
Brooks couldn't stand the situation any longer, so he had to replace Zhao Chen to see if he could change the situation in time.
Zhao Chen has always been Thunder's good medicine, but tonight Zhao Chen did not have an immediate effect.
Although Zhao Chen has a low-level hot touch, he still hits the iron. Zhao Chen failed to make several three-pointers that were necessary in the past.
Zhao Chen clearly felt that his hands felt cold because he didn't have a good rest last night. After using the hot touch, Zhao Chen's hands felt so cold.
Zhao Chen could also imagine what would happen if it didn't work.
Maybe after playing a whole game, he would be in the same situation as James Harden, making one or two three-pointers from a dozen shots.
The player's feel is a very important thing.
Zhao Chen's appearance didn't work, and the Thunder fell into a hard battle in the first quarter.
20 to 27, the Thunder fell behind by 7 points in the first quarter.
"Kenny, I don't know if you've noticed that in every game against the Grizzlies, the Thunder can't take much advantage at the start. Why is that?" Barkley asked.
"This is because the Grizzlies players are physically fit and they can maintain pressure on both offense and defense at the same time. The Thunder choose to use Zhao Chen as a substitute every time. The starting strength of the two teams is very different. It is normal for the Grizzlies to form pressure at the beginning." Smith said.
It was rare for the Thunder to score only 20 points in a single quarter. In this regard, we can also see the overall state of the Thunder today.
At the beginning of the second quarter, both sides sent out their second lineups.
Zhao Chen is the only scoring point in the second team, and the Grizzlies still have a tendency for all members to explode.
The second lineup led by Zhao Chen was rarely defeated.
With 7 minutes left in the second quarter, the score reached 31 to 41, and the Grizzlies' lead reached 10 points.
Durant and Westbrook go into battle together.
The three men shot at the same time and had average shooting skills. They rushed in many times to cause damage, and the Thunder struggled to bite the point difference.
Everyone in the Grizzlies is on the team, and every player scores.
At the end of the second quarter, Zhao Chen, who had been stubborn for almost the first half, ushered in an explosion.
In the last minute, Zhao Chen hit two consecutive three-pointers to help the Thunder catch up with the score.
46 to 50.
Even though everyone in the Grizzlies was in full strength, and even though everyone in the Thunder felt average, after the first half, the Grizzlies' lead was still pitifully small.
"Compared with the Thunder, the gap between the Grizzlies and the Thunder is that their offensive explosiveness is far from enough. The Thunder can narrow the gap with a super continuous score, but the Grizzlies do not have such a player. In the first half, Zhao Chen scored in time He stood up and helped the team seal the point difference," Zhang Weiping said.
"Yes, but overall, the Grizzlies still did a great job in the first half. They showed their spirit and characteristics. Facing the Super Thunder, they still played very tenaciously." Yu Jianian muttered. said.
At the beginning of the second half of the game, the Grizzlies continued their firepower from the first half. Although the outside line was not so positive, they had a variety of passes and cuts, and a variety of coordination. They quickly opened up the point difference. Double digits.
Coach Brooks had no ink and immediately changed the defense to a second and third defense. The focus was to limit their cooperation.
The Thunder's defensive changes played a key role. The Grizzlies' passing began to stagnate, and mistakes were prone to occur once it stalled.
The Thunder's counterattacks frequently succeeded.
The Thunder took advantage of the situation in the away game and launched a 14-0 super offensive wave to take the lead.
The momentum at FedEx Arena was quiet.
Grizzlies fans never imagined that the Thunder's offensive would come so fast and suddenly! !
For nearly 4 minutes, the Grizzlies were held scoreless by the Thunder's zone defense.
Their characteristics of not having a superstar to stand out on the offensive end were clearly exposed.
The grizzly bear appears at its most dangerous moment.
After consecutive pauses, Randolph finally stood up.
Randolph played very tough, and faced the double attack by Ibaka and Adams. He used his body to carry the two of them and scored the ball, resulting in a two plus one.
Later, Randolph blocked Ibaka's dunk on the defensive end, and the Grizzlies' morale soared.
Gasol continued to grab offensive rebounds on the offensive end and scored the ball...
After three quarters, the score reached 68-66, with the Grizzlies trailing by 2 points.
In the final decisive battle, the second team led by Zhao Chen once again fell into a scoring drought. Zhao Chen's touch was a bit bleak, and his teammates couldn't score the ball he broke through.
Zhao Chen tried to score by drawing fouls, but the Thunder barely managed to score...
Brooks quickly made personnel adjustments, but Westbrook and Durant also had a similar feel. When they came to FedEx Arena, the basket here seemed to have a cover.
The Grizzlies are not good on the outside either, but their inside advantage is very obvious. They steadily and step by step completed the comeback from behind.
The Big Three of the Thunder also played like crazy, attacking the Grizzlies' interior one by one with the ball.
There aren't many tactics, just reckless use of physical talent.
The Big Three frequently get to the free throw line
The game came to the last 43 seconds. After Durant hit a long-lost three-pointer, the Thunder chased the score to 90-90.
In the last 28 seconds, the Grizzlies requested a timeout.
"The Thunder have an advantage in the last attack. They have three super giants to choose from."
"Of course, maybe this is also a painful choice, and they may be struggling with who to shoot."
"The Grizzlies don't have many options to attack with the ball, but playing like this is enough for them and we salute them."
Zhang Weiping and Yu Jia began to instill in the fans the theory that they can gain respect even if they lose.
Grizzlies offense.
Conley took the baseline ball and began to push forward against time.
Being able to fight the Thunder until the last minute is enough to illustrate the Grizzlies' success in this game.
You know, the Grizzlies lost by 30 points in the last game, and the outside world is flocking to believe that the Thunder will sweep the Grizzlies.
Conley discovered that the person marking him changed from Westbrook to Zhao Chen.
Obviously the Thunder thinks that Zhao Chen's defense is stronger than Westbrook's.
Zhao Chen clapped and signaled Conley to attack.
Conley was not fooled. Conley's choice was still to call the screen and Gasol to use it.
Gasol blocked Zhao Chen, and Conley rushed in.
With Ibaka's help, Conley returned the ball to Gasol.
In the high post, Gasol took the ball. Seeing that there was no defense in front of him, Gasol immediately raised the ball high for a mid-range shot.
Mid-range shooting is also a characteristic of Gasol.
But at this moment, a figure jumped over from the side that Gasol couldn't see.
Zhao Chen judged Gasol's shot, and he rushed over when Gasol was about to take action.
"Snapped!"
Zhao Chen slapped Gasol's shot to the ground with his hands! !
The referee did not call a foul. Westbrook quickly hugged the basketball and called a stop to the game! !
