1108: Can still score goals
The Air Canada Center Stadium has not been as lively as it is today for a while.
All the fans were cheering and shouting for the Raptors.
They didn't expect the Raptors to cut off the Grizzlies who were in the seven-game winning streak, but this unexpected surprise was even more exciting.
Indeed, today's Grizzlies are completely out of shape, and they can't even exert 80% of their strength.
Indeed, the Grizzlies are not the star of Link today, and the low temperature in Toronto makes him unable to move forward.
But none of these matters. As long as the Raptors can win, it will be a real victory.
The league will not admit this victory because the Grizzlies lack the star or back-to-back games.
The advantage of 18 points in the first half gave the Raptors fans a big breath.
If nothing unexpected happens, their four-game losing streak will end here. They will also get the first place in the Eastern Conference.
Judging from the current situation of the Grizzlies, they have no ability to reverse 18 points.
If Link was there, the 18-point reversal might not be an incredible thing.
But Link is not here and the Grizzlies are still in a sluggish state, Toronto fans believe that 18 points are safe enough for the Raptors.
"This is definitely an unexpected game. No one expected that the Grizzlies who were pressed on the ground and rubbed now would be the Grizzlies. However, they have been exhausted recently. They have been fighting with strong enemies in succession, which has accelerated their physical loss."
The live commentator looked at the Grizzlies' data in the first half, and could only describe it as a terrible sight.
After playing against the Grizzlies in one half, only Gasol scored in double digits, which is obviously not their true level.
"The Grizzlies may give up in the second half, this game is too difficult for them. Besides, even if they lose this game, they are still the number one in the West."
The two commentators sang and reconciled, and the Grizzlies had no chance of winning.
However, the best of Link and the Grizzlies is not just the best in the West...
The number one in the West, isn’t that the most basic? It’s not even regarded as a target.
Soon, the second half began and the players on both sides returned to the stadium.
Before playing, DeRozan and Lowry fists against each other.
They had just decided in the locker room to completely pull the score in the third quarter!
Although the grizzlies were exhausted today, they still dared not slacken.
Last season's Eastern Conference Finals, the Raptors tasted the power of James and the Cavaliers. The Raptors passed the hurdles and came to the Cavaliers, thinking they could compete with James.
Little did they know that their result was that they were easily eliminated by the Knights 4 to 2.
However, even a guy like James has never won the series on the Grizzlies! It is clear that Link and the Grizzlies are so terrifying.
Therefore, the Raptors dare not slacket off at all. Even if they are already 18 points ahead, they must do their best and not give the Grizzlies any chance to revive!
However, when the Grizzlies' players appeared, everyone in the Air Canada Center Stadium was stunned.
From fans to Raptors, everyone stared wide and couldn't close their chins.
Because they saw that Link, who had not played for a second in the first half, had stepped into the stadium at this time!
"What!? Link is back!? What's the situation!?" The commentator on the scene was also confused. He had never seen such a thing before!
It is not uncommon to play with illness, but generally if a player decides to play with illness, he will play from the beginning.
But what about Link? His behavior on the bench in the first half proved that he actually did not intend to play today, and the Grizzlies did not seem to have plans to let him play.
However, now, Link suddenly changed his mind.
The commentator immediately looked through the official list of injuries and found that Link was not listed here! In other words, Link did not appear on the list of injuries from beginning to end.
In theory, he can indeed appear suddenly!
"Link actually played in the second half, which is incredible! If Link's fever really reaches the point where he can't play, then he must be quite forced now! I don't know why coach Joggel did this. Maybe he wanted to use Link to be a gamble? But can a Link with a high fever really help the Grizzlies reverse 18 points?"
To be honest, it was not just the scene commentator who was confused. When Link just asked in the locker room that he wanted to return to the court, Jogel was confused.
At first, Link told him that if the situation is wrong, he can replace himself in the field, and Jogel didn't take it seriously yet.
Little did they know that Link was serious!
Of course, Jogel knew what it felt like to have a fever. Playing basketball or playing NBA-level games when you have a fever, Jogel was unimaginable.
Indeed, the examples of Jordan and Dirk are still talked about by people until now. But the reason why they are talked about is precisely because they have accomplished extremely incredible things!
You can't say that Kobe scored 81 points in a single game means that everyone can follow suit and do it.
However, Link's attitude was very firm, and he said that he only needed one game to try.
If he can't lead the team to close the score in the third quarter, then sit back on the bench.
But if Link can effectively narrow the gap in the third quarter, he will have to strive for victory!
Jogel finally agreed, he had no choice at all.
If Link is forcibly pressed on the bench, he will definitely be very worried.
So he gave Link a chance, a chance to play in the quarter.
As for whether there is any follow-up, it depends on Link himself.
"Be careful, don't force yourself, don't hurt yourself. Our goal is the championship, do you remember?" Before Link appeared, Joe Geer gave a special reminder.
"Well, I know which one is more important, so don't worry. But if I can effectively narrow the score, you have to keep your promise and don't throw me off the bench."
After saying that, Link turned around and stepped into the stadium. Just stepping into the stadium, he had already made the cheers at the scene halfway!
There is only one player in the league who can bring this terrible deterrence! Just like Jordan in the 1990s, he is everyone's nightmare.
Link took a deep breath, but he still felt dizzy and his body was still a little weak.
But just watching the team being slaughtered, Link was even more unwilling to accept it.
In any case, this section must narrow the gap!
"Damn, what are you doing!?" Lowry, who was confidently flirting with DeRozan just now, instantly changed his expression when he saw Link appearing.
"It's okay, he still has a high fever." DeRozan responded expressionlessly. Of course he knew Link's strength. But if Link's high fever was real, then his strength would undoubtedly be greatly reduced.
It's not a tiny gap to be 18 points behind in the first half.
What's more, the Raptors' No. 3 Demare Carroll is also a defensive player.
In the 14-15 season, Carroll became famous for his outstanding defense against James in the playoffs.
So in the summer of 2015, the Raptors signed Carol for a high salary to deal with James in the playoffs.
Now, it shouldn't be a problem to let Carol deal with a fever Link.
The game started in this shocking atmosphere. The Grizzlies attacked first, and Carol began to tangle Link near the midfield line.
He could clearly feel that Link's confrontation today was softer and not as inspiring as before.
Link also instantly felt that Carol seemed to have become James, and it was very difficult to fight him.
But soon, Jokic's off-ball screen came up.
Link is not the kind of person who plays with physical fitness alone!
A tacit understanding of the off-ball screen made Link throw away Carol and ran to the top of the three-point line to receive Conley's pass.
The moment he received the basketball, Link jumped and shot without hesitation!
Although my head is dizzy, shooting has become Link's muscle memory. Even in the case of fever, he can naturally make the most standard shooting moves.
Carol arrived, but Link's attack was too fast, so he had no time to interfere.
However, after throwing the ball, Link was knocked down by Carol who rushed over.
But just as Link's butt bloomed, he heard the wonderful notes rolling in the Nets.
"brush!"
"A three-pointer hit, Link made a beautiful three-pointer as soon as he came up! God, he won't be able to really reverse the game under such circumstances, right?"
Although he was still 15 points ahead, the Raptors players and fans were in extreme panic at this time.
Link's three-pointer is still so accurate!
Wade hurriedly walked up to help Link, and Link smiled reluctantly.
Although the ball was in, I have to say that it was really hard to play with a fever.
But...he can still score, right?
Link's confidence has increased so much that he wants the Grizzlies' seven-game losing streak to stop here?
Chapter completed!