Most teams are helpless against James Harden's offense. Harden averaged a shocking 36.1 points per game last season, which is not due to luck.

Last season, some people even believed that there was no player in the league who could defend James Harden alone. There was no team system that could stop Harden's scoring momentum.

As long as he wants, he can get 40 or 50 points in every game.

Last season, his performance of 30+ games and 40+ games in 5 consecutive games seems to have fulfilled this statement.

Today, however, the Memphis Grizzlies and Link ended Harden's scoring myth.

It turns out that there is still someone in this league that can curb Harden.

Harden had just controlled the ball outside the three-point line, and Conley, who was standing beside him, couldn't help but shrink a few steps and was ready to come up to double-team at any time.

Jokic also moved forward silently, preparing to block the breakthrough route.

Link pressed Harden and did not give him the chance to shoot easily.

The Grizzlies' defense is still very exquisite.

If someone else dared to post Harden like this, Harden would have committed a foul.

However, it has always been no simple matter to commit a foul on Link. He can always see his opponent's intentions and react at the first time.

Moreover, the referee's call standards for fouls this season have also changed. It is not as easy as fouls in the previous seasons.

Therefore, fouls are definitely not feasible.

Harden had no choice, and he gritted his teeth and decided to make a breakthrough directly!

However, Harden had just taken a few steps and was stopped by Conley, who was double-teaming.

Meanwhile, Jokic moved to a high position, blocking Harden's route to "feeding" Capela.

Harden has no room to take action, and the Rockets' space is too small!

That's right, the Rockets, who have always relied on three-pointers and averaged 44 three-pointers per game, have actually been very average in their ability to open up space this season.

There is no way, Westbrook and Capela will not shoot, so as long as the Grizzlies are willing to attack, even Harden will be helpless.

If it was last season, Paul would have a three-point threat, and the Grizzlies would never dare to let Paul go so easily to double-team Harden.

But now it's different, Westbrook's three-pointer can really be ignored.

So, using Paul to exchange Westbrook is not necessarily a good move.

In the end, Harden still chose to hand over the ball to Westbrook.

To be precise, this is a choice without choice.

Westbrook did not hesitate after receiving the ball and took another three-pointer.

But unfortunately, even with this open three-pointer, Westbrook failed to make it into the ball.

The basketball hit the front of the basket hard and bounced out again, which was a long rebound.

Westbrook immediately broke into the penalty area and prepared to throw himself into the penalty area.

In this regard, Westbrook's explosive physical fitness often gives him an advantage.

But as soon as he was about to take off, he found Link "flying" from the side and snatched the ball into his arms with one hand.

Link never gave up long rebounds to others.

This time Westbrook encountered an opponent with more physical fitness than his.

This time Westbrook missed again, and Mike D'Anthony no longer shouted passionately.

Because at this time, the game had reached the last four minutes of the fourth quarter, and the Houston Rockets were 22 points behind the Grizzlies!

Every time the Rockets fails to attack, it is equivalent to taking another step towards the edge of the cliff.

Today's game has not scored well until now.

Harden has only scored 18 points so far, with a shooting percentage of only 40.2%.

You know, Harden is a master who can score more than ten points per game by free throws. But until now, he has only scored 18 points.

Westbrook is even worse. He has only scored 14 points so far. The key is that his shooting percentage is still only a terrible 29.4%.

He was so iron, Link felt that the basket seemed to be a little tilted.

The average scores of his and Harden combined are so explosive that it seems that the two of them are quite suitable.

However, basketball games are not simple 1+1=2 formulas.

As it turns out, Westbrook has no effect at all in helping Harden open up space.

And in the Houston Rockets, he could not control the ball as unscrupulously as he used to when he was in the Thunder. In this way, Westbrook could not exert his greatest power.

The Houston Rockets successfully handled Paul, but they are likely to be further away from the championship.

After the Grizzlies attacked again, Link assisted Dillon, who was quickly in the corner, and Brooks made a three-pointer, widening the gap to 25 points.

Mike D'Anthony must be envious now, although the Rockets are a completely "magic ball" team. However, their ability to open up space is not as good as the Grizzlies.

The Grizzlies' starting five players have three-pointers, and the threat is not small.

At this point, the game has basically lost its suspense.

Harden and Westbrook account for more than half of the Rockets' score. If they don't play well, it means the Rockets can't play well.

Link didn't score much today, he only scored 23 points.

As Hubby Brown analyzed before the game, it is unlikely that the two sides will score each other today.

But if the Rockets don't score, it basically means nothing is gone.

But the Grizzlies do not score, but they can still guarantee victory.

"Today's game completely exposed the problems of the Houston Rockets. Their defensive ability on the front line and their ability to open up space will be a stumbling block that will prevent them from going further in the playoffs."

At this time, Hubby Brown no longer thought that this game was a preview of the Western Conference Finals.

Because in the Rockets' state, they will definitely not be able to make it to the Western Conference Finals.

Look at several strong teams in the West, Lakers, Clippers and Grizzlies, which one is not a strong forward?

The Rockets' defense can only be beaten.

Moreover, in the playoffs, the defense of each team will only be more detailed than today's Grizzlies.

The Rockets' offense has already had the "habit" of a big slope in the playoffs.

Don’t fans often make fun of it? When the Rockets don’t make three-pointers, you know they’re playing in the playoffs.

In fact, this is the impact of the playoff level defense on the Rockets' offense.

Facts have proved that even in this era when offense is king, defense still plays an irreplaceable and important role.

A team that only attacks is destined to not be able to go long. The Rockets returned disappointed in the playoffs for so many years. There is a reason for this.

If the Rockets want to change the status quo, the only solution is to seek a deal.

Now, Capela is the only Rockets who have trading value.

Westbrook? Not every team dares to ask for that guy. It is really difficult to find a partner who is suitable for him.

But if Capela is traded, the Rockets will have no frame guarding center at all.

Hubby Brown shook his head, the Rockets' road this season is still difficult to walk.

Now that there are so many points left, the Rockets' only choice is to bet on three points.

So Mike D'Anthony paused the game and adjusted his tactics again.

He pushed Tucker to the fifth position, letting House play the fourth position and McLemore play the small forward.

In this way, except Westbrook, the Rockets have the ability to shoot three-pointers.

This can also help Westbrook open up space and facilitate his impact on the basket.

But the Grizzlies are not stupid either. After returning from the timeout, Iguodala, whose presence has gradually decreased in recent seasons, has been on the run.

He replaced Conley, who was specifically for Westbrook.

After the Rockets' lineup came back, Westbrook's attack was resolved by Iguodala.

Iguodala's current speed is indeed impossible to compete with Westbrook, but her ability to confront is still there.

Westbrook leaned against Iguodala's forced layup, and finally hit the box because the confrontation was too fierce.

Mike D'Anthony was shocked, and the Rockets took another step towards the cliff, and they were about to pieces!

Then, Link acted as the No. 1 position to control the ball and passed the half. He did not rush to fight back, but slowly waited for Jokic to land.

Because the Rockets let Tucker play center, Jokic will get an opportunity that is almost equivalent to a misplaced single at the low post!

Although Tucker is short, he is stable in the lower plate and has sufficient strength. It is indeed no problem to carry some blue-collar and rough guys.

But Jokic is precisely one of the most delicate centers in the league. After Jokic leaned against Tucker to receive the basketball, he hooked his hand with an old man who almost didn't jump much and scored successfully at the low post.

D'Antoni's mouth twitched uncontrollably as he looked at the situation on the field.

This is too bullying!

Putting a center forward who is only 2 meters tall in front of the Grizzlies is simply seeking death.

In the end, the Rockets' three-pointer still failed to draw, while Jokic played happily at the low post.

By the time the last minute of the game was left, the difference had already become 30 points.

The Grizzlies sentenced the Rockets to death in advance.

112 to 82, the Federal Express Arena is indeed not a good place to play the All-Star Game.

Harden only scored 22 points until the end. This is very different from his previous performance of averaging nearly 40 points per game.

Where is Link? He made 6 steals and 3 blocks in the whole game, completely defeating Harden on the defensive end.

Harden made eight mistakes today, three of which were caused by Link's direct interception.

This time, the Grizzlies did not force the Rockets to get 55 again.

The 30-point difference is enough to show the Grizzlies' competitiveness this season.

The Grizzlies' label as a "pseudo-strong team" has not been labeled after seven games.

Instead, they took the lead in branding the Rockets with the imprint of a pseudo-strong team.

Are the Houston Rockets a championship team?

After this game, it's no longer true.

After one minute of garbage time, the score was frozen at 118-84. The Houston Rockets, who averaged 121 points per game this season, did not even get 90 points in the Federal Express Arena.

Harden and Westbrook both failed, and their losses officially exceeded the number of wins, and their record turned into 3 wins and 4 losses.

The Grizzlies scored 5 wins and 1 loss in the start of the strong team.

In today's game, Link scored only 25 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists, and the data was so ordinary that it could not be more ordinary.

But today's Link feels even more terrifying.

First, he scored 61 points on James' head, and then he defeated Harden, the strongest No. 2 position in the 10s, to have a sharp drop in his shooting percentage and score.

Link proved that he was truly an offense and defense.

On offense and defense, Link is not only good, but has reached the top level!

A superstar who is so versatile that he has almost no shortcomings...
Chapter completed!