In the first quarter, the Thunder completely fell into the rhythm of the Grizzlies. They could not play a fast-paced attack, and because of the existence of Link and Randolph, Perkins almost became a decoration. He could not defend himself, Perkins was just a pure frame protector. If he defended himself, his advantages would be wasted.

Fortunately, in the second half of the first quarter, the Thunder Double Young Master found the rhythm, which stabilized the score difference and was not continuously widened by Grizzlies Jiang.

After the first quarter, the Thunder were 4 points behind the Grizzlies 24-28. At the Chesapeake Energy Arena, the Grizzlies were quite imposing to turn away.

In the first quarter, Westbrook was the best performer of the Thunder. This guy made 5 of 7 shots and scored 10 points in a single quarter. If it weren't for Westbrook's strength in the second half of the first quarter, it would be impossible to say how much the Thunder was lagging behind now.

"We said before the game started that Westbrook is the X-factor of the Thunder. As long as he can burst out, it is a weapon of mass destruction for the Thunder. Durant's shooting and Westbrook's breakthrough. In my opinion, no opponent can completely restrain these two people in one night. The Thunder's offense is almost perfect. They want to overtake the score, all they need is time!" During the break, Kevin Harlan was obviously conquered by Westbrook's 10-point performance in a single quarter.

"The Thunder's offense is almost perfect? ​​No, the Thunder's offense still has many problems. And this is just the first quarter game. We all know that Westbrook's biggest problem is his offensive stability. His outstanding performance in the first quarter does not mean that he will perform well in the next three quarters." Van Gundy began to refute that Van Gundy prefers the combination of Link and Randolph than the Thunder Gemini.

Link and Randolph have more tactical connections. Their mutual restraint and ability to create space between them are not available to Durant and Westbrook. Durant and Westbrook are more singles in turn, and it is difficult for you to see any substantial cooperation between them.

During the regular season, Durant and Westbrook are enough to help the Thunder win the game as long as they play alone. But facing the Grizzlies' defense, once the Gemini is alone, the Thunder's offense will be greatly frustrated.

Van Gundy is optimistic that the Grizzlies can continue to open the score because he believes that the team will not allow Durant and Westbrook to continue to do evil under their defense.

Duo vs Duo, this is Jeff Van Gundy's favorite drama.

On the court, Hollins was nervously making tactical adjustments to the results of the first quarter. On Durant's side, Hollins really had no choice. He could still score goals under Tony Allen's defense. Durant, as the scoring leader, is basically unsolvable. The only thing the Grizzlies can do is to reduce Durant's shooting percentage as much as possible.

But Westbrook, who scored 10 points in the first quarter, Hollins thought he could put some effort into him.

"Mike, let Westbrook shoot in the second quarter to prevent him from breaking through. If he insists on breaking through, lead him into the defensive trap. Mark, be prepared to assist in defense at any time. Kendrick Perkins has almost no scoring ability, so you can focus on assisting defense. Just like in the first round of the first quarter, pay attention to Westbrook at any time. If he dares to break through, he can't afford to take advantage of it!"

Hollins said while drawing on the tactical board. Westbrook's offensive choice has always been a problem, and his low hit rate is not without reason.

Then, Hollins turned his head and looked at Link, "In the second quarter, the Thunder will return to James Harden to increase offensive firepower. Without further ado, you know how to deal with that guy. Don't give him any chance, I don't want to see him score."

As for the Thunder's sixth man James Harden, Hollins was not worried at all. He believed that Link would completely lose the beard.

※※※

"Starting the second quarter, Coach Scott Brooks replaced Harden. It seems that the Thunder are going to strengthen the offense."

As soon as the second quarter began, Hollins' guess was fulfilled. Scott Brooks was a coach who was good at cultivating young people, but his on-site command ability was very average. Hollins could guess his deployment effortlessly.

When Harden saw Link, he felt very resistant. During the regular season, Harden was more than once guarded by Link to doubt his life. Of course, Harden didn't care afterwards, and he still went to nightclubs. At this time, Harden was far from working hard.

Westbrook took the ball and walked outside the three-point line, and now the Thunder have a few choices.

Durant is singles, Harden is singles, Westbrook is singles. As for Ibaka, he can basically rely on occasional pick-and-roll and simple baskets. It is not exaggeration to say that he is an invisible person on the offensive end.

Link deliberately did not press Harden, so Westbrook really passed the ball to Harden. Link was secretly happy. Although Harden was very strong in the future, now the Thunder's ball fell into the hands of a person with relatively small scoring threats.

Seeing this, Durant immediately went to play pick-and-roll with Harden, Link and Tony Allen to understand and directly switch positions. Harden and Durant's cooperation did not come out!

In desperation, Harden had no choice but to return the ball to Westbrook. The Thunder No. 0 passed the ball to you. If you don't play, then the ball will definitely not be passed again.

Don’t hit me? Don’t hit me!

Westbrook broke through with the ball, and the Thunder's offense once again turned into an unruly single!

Jeff Van Gundy is right, there is really too little tactical connection between Durant and Westbrook.

What is the result of a fierce fight with Westbrook? Conley has seen it in the first quarter, and he really can't stand this guy.

But Conley not only did not bear the second quarter, but instead retreated along Westbrook.

Westbrook must be still complacent about his strong breakthrough, but the next second, a "mountain" appeared in front of him.

"Damn it!" Westbrook thought he was as fast as lightning, and inside players were generally unable to keep up with his pace. Usually, by the time those slow big men came to assist in defense, Westbrook had already scored.

But this time, Gasol made a defense very timely! If there was a coincidence in the first quarter of the game, then this time the defense was done intentionally.

Westbrook didn't know that Gasol had been hiding in the penalty area and had been eyeing him for a long time.

Westbrook, who had suffered a loss in the first quarter, did not want to fight Gasol hard, so he suddenly decided to throw.

However, Westbrook's stiff feel was not the material for throwing. The basketball he threw directly hit the basket's neck. As soon as the Grizzlies came up in the first round, their defense against Westbrook was successful!

"A typical Grizzlies defense, Conley deliberately lured the opponent into a defensive trap, and then Mark Gasol ended the attack. It seems that Westbrook was targeted. Jeff, you said that the Grizzlies have a chance to win as long as they limit one of the Gemini stars. So do you think this person will be Durant or Russell?"

Van Gundy did not answer Kevin Harlan's question, but put his index finger on his mouth and signaled him to be quiet first, "Let's pay attention to the Grizzlies' offense first!"

The Grizzlies have much smoother offense. Everyone has their own duties and has their own goals. Simply fighting alone has rarely been seen in the Grizzlies since Guy was injured. As for Randolph's low-post offense, it is actually based on the team's tactics.

In the first quarter, Randolph, like Westbrook, had 10 points in a single quarter. Therefore, in the second quarter, Perkins' position changed significantly. Now Perkins is not standing by Gasol Jr., but is near the basket, ready to defend Randolph at any time.

In this way, the Grizzlies won't easily get open spaces on the outside. It's not easy for Randolph to hand the ball to Gasol Jr. in the crowded inside line.

Randolph had long been aware of this. This is the playoffs, and everyone is trying to deal with the moves. The Thunder can dismantle his moves, and he can dismantle the Thunder!

Randolph held the ball low on the right side of the court, and Perkins' defense also went to the right side of the basket. Gasol Jr. was alone at the middle distance on the left, but Randolph was easily intercepted if he passed the ball.

He is waiting for his partner!

After seeing Randolph's position, Link suddenly ran back and rushed to the right side of the court. Harden immediately followed, but found that Tony Allen was blocking his side!

Link threw away Harden and cut into the right side where the Thunder defense was completely empty. Randolph passed the ball with a hooked hand, and the target was Link!

"With a beautiful cooperation, Zach's low-post support idea is very clear. Link made a quick jump shot, and he did not challenge Perkins' authority. At this point, Link was much calmer than Westbrook! Bang, in basketball, Link's shooting stability is simply terrible. As long as he takes an open position, the only thing you can do is pray to God!"

Van Gundy applauded Link and Randolph's offenses. This time the Grizzlies implemented the tactics very resolutely and clearly. Link's running position and Randolph's passing were also very tacit.

Compared with Durant and Westbrook's rotational singles, Link and Randolph's cooperation is much more efficient.

Link and Randolph raised their arms and touched each other. Their celebration was quite similar to the celebration between the "Double Wallaces" during the Pistons.

From the first quarter, this forward-line combination made the Thunder's defense lose the other way. However, in the first quarter, the Grizzlies still focused on Randolph's singles and Link's cold gun as the supplement.

Now, when the Grizzlies want to limit Westbrook, they also need Link and Randolph to open up the situation. If the final plan is successful, Van Gundy believes that the Grizzlies can pull the score before the half-time game ends!
Chapter completed!