488: Finally a helper
The result of the first quarter was undoubtedly unexpected. The Raptors had fewer 20 points in a single quarter, but they didn't know that there were even fewer Grizzlies.
With 14 points in a single quarter, this performance is simply terrible for a team that can attack and defend and ranks first in the league at this time.
All the Raptors fans present cheered excitedly, and the media reported that the Grizzlies' flight was delayed yesterday. Everyone in Toronto knew that the league's number one is now very tired.
And this is the best chance for the Raptors to defeat them!
For teams like the Raptors who rank outside the top eight but still have the chance to enter the playoffs, they actually have no psychological burden.
If they win, they go to the playoffs. If they lose, no one will blame them. Moreover, they don’t have to think too much about injuries and physical fitness, because they can enter the playoffs and win. Even if they are incomplete in the playoffs, it doesn’t matter.
This kind of team that does not need a way out will hold on to the victory once they seize the opportunity to win. This is how the Raptors have been through the past five victories.
After the electronic beeps at the beginning of the second quarter, the cheers from the Air Canada Center Arena reached a small climax.
It was at this time that Link pulled off Tobias Harris' training suit. His actions naturally attracted the attention of the commentators and photographers.
"What's going on? Will Tobias Harris be the first to play in the second quarter?" A local Toronto commentator widened his eyes. When the first quarter was playing poorly, the Grizzlies had to send a water dispenser in the second quarter?
"Does Link have any conflicts with Harris? Why do he look so angry?" Another commentator's observation point was very unique.
"Or, is this a signal that the Grizzlies gave up their resistance? We don't know what happened to the Grizzlies, but I hope everything goes well with the Raptors."
Harris stepped into the court in full view of everyone, his palms were covered in sweat!
Indeed, this is not the first time he has played in the NBA. Although he has not played many opportunities in the Bucks in one and a half seasons, he has played in the final stages.
However, this was his first time, when the team was in crisis, he was ordered to play in a critical situation. This feeling was completely different from the average rotation time to play for a few minutes.
Harris could clearly hear the cheers of home fans, and he could also hear some of the Raptors fans' abuse at him.
"You can't even think of throwing a single ball, you're guarding the water dispenser!"
"Are you sent by the coach to surrender? Hahahaha!"
"With you, we will win more easily!"
He could clearly see the serious expressions on every teammate's face and the desire in the eyes of the Raptors players.
Harris suddenly felt a sense of responsibility. He knew that he came up to help the team overcome difficulties. In any case, he must perform 100% in form.
"Harris, why are you still standing there? Defensively! Remember what the coach said to you?" Link shouted, bringing the stunned Harris back to reality.
He frowned and stood at the designated position. The second quarter officially began!
Lowry is full of confidence today, and it is often the easiest to deal with weak opponents. He skillfully fought Amir Johnson with a cover and moved to Tobias Harris in dislocation. As soon as he came up, Lowry had to pick the "softest" attack.
Link was pulled to the right by DeRozan, and it was very difficult to assist in defense to the top of the arc. He could only pray that Harris would not be scared by Lowry.
Lowry's hand change under his crotch changed the rhythm, but Harris was very calm. When he focused on the court, he would no longer think about the mess.
The next second, Lowry accelerated his sprint. It didn't seem difficult to break through a power forward at the first position. In the first quarter, both Randolph and Arthur were passed by Lowry several times.
But this time, when Lowry had already started thinking about how to attack the frame, he suddenly hit a "wall". He looked up and saw that it was Harris!
"Impossible!" Lowry was shocked. He didn't expect that the fourth position could keep up with him!
Harris moved sideways very quickly, and his judgment on the opponent's attack direction was also very accurate. Almost the moment Lowry started, Harris moved sideways.
Just when Lowry was stunned, Link double-teamed up! Facing the double-teams of two forwards, Lowry, who was only 1.85 meters tall, was very passive. Link and Harris raised their arms, and Lowry could not see anything at all!
In the end, Lowry had no choice but to pass the ball to DeRozan in a hurry. However, this obvious pass route had long been targeted.
As soon as Lowry passed the ball, Iguodala rushed out and suddenly crossed between basketball and DeRozan.
In DeRozan's shocked gaze, Iguodala intercepted the ball and the Grizzlies fought back!
"I made a mistake as soon as I came up. Kyle Lowry's mistake just now is too inappropriate!" The commentator complained for granted, but if they knew what Lowry had experienced, they probably wouldn't have said that.
The one who guards the water dispenser is not as simple as they thought.
Although Iguodala took advantage of the situation to counterattack, DeRozan, who had good athletic ability, quickly posted it up to prevent Iguodala from directly attacking the box.
Iguodala then handed the ball to Link who cut in from the middle. Link had Alan Anderson pressed tightly on the left, and Amir Johnson, who was aggressive, chased and defended.
It seemed that there was no chance, but Link took the initiative to give Alan Anderson to fight before taking off. After carrying him away, Link jumped and dunked!
Amir Johnson followed and jumped, but found that both the speed and the height of the bounce were a little worse than Link. In the end, Amir Johnson could only watch Link dunk in the air!
16 to 20, the Grizzlies scored first as soon as they came up!
"Link played very tough! This fast break layup has undoubtedly greatly improved the morale of the Grizzlies players! Alan Anderson is not Link's opponent at all. Once he rushes, it will be difficult to stop him."
Link was very excited after scoring the goal. He roared when he landed, and then pointed to Iguodala who passed the ball to him, expressing his gratitude.
But this is not over. When retreating, Link deliberately walked to Harris and patted his butt, "Defense well, that's how it should be! Let them see how powerful the Grizzlies players are!"
Harris didn't expect that after the team's star dunk, he would come to praise him specifically.
In an instant, Harris' confidence became stronger. Even the opponent's number one defender was defended, and even the strongest player in this team recognized me.
So, what else is there to be afraid of?
The Raptors continued to attack, and this time Valanciunas led Gasol out of the penalty area. As a big guy who was 2.13 meters tall, Valanciunas chose to roam in the middle distance this round.
The Lithuanian center forward's central shot still made Gasol follow him uneasy.
Then DeRozan called for cover, and the strong Amir Johnson took his place again!
As long as he can break through Link, DeRozan believes that his "spring legs" will definitely win a lot of prizes again!
DeRozan rushed towards the penalty area after quitting the screen. Link wanted to get rid of it quickly, but found that Amir Johnson made many small moves when pick-and-roll.
By the time he got rid of Johnson and wanted to chase him, DeRozan had already left Link a position.
Link gritted his teeth and ran wildly. The situation that he had finally stabilized could not be chaotic again. Just when Link was at a loss, Harris stood up.
This is the second time today that he has played a key role in the defensive end.
"Tobias Harris's backup defense is very fast. DeRozan leans on Harris and forces hard, and his speed is slowed down!"
The commentators were all confused. Is this guy who guards the water dispenser so strong in defense? He just defended Lowry, but now he curbed DeRozan. The two strongest people on the outside of the Raptors were both defended by him!
DeRozan didn't want to waste such a scoring opportunity. Although he was blocked by Harris, DeRozan finally chose to take off and make a layup.
Harris raised his arms high and interfered with DeRozan's move. DeRozan gritted his teeth. Now he wanted to score, it seemed that it was not as easy as in the first quarter.
In the first section, facing the tired Randolph, he basically passed it in one step. Even if he couldn't pass it, the physical confrontation would not be so fierce.
However, Harris not only moves fast, but also has a very tough frame guard.
Stevens nodded with satisfaction. This is Harris. If you only put him in the framework of the fourth position, it would be a waste of resources. He is just a forward, not in the third position or in the fourth position.
You don't need to tell him where to play, you just need to tell him what to do after he plays. Then, just wait and see.
DeRozan threw the ball into the air in the confrontation with Harris, but the next second, a pair of long arms covered DeRozan's head.
"It's Link! Can he complete the blocking??" Everyone at the scene was shocked. Link jumped too high this ball!
Link could no longer catch up with DeRozan, but after DeRozan was delayed by Harris, Link quickly leaned on it. The moment DeRozan took action, he jumped and blocked it!
Link pushed the basketball with both hands in the air and pressed the basketball on the rebound. DeRozan was caught in a fierce layup. Link took the basketball and pushed it quickly himself!
The Raptors want to play fast-paced and drag the tired Grizzlies to death. However, with the Raptors' tactical qualities and playing fast-paced, their defense will become messy and messy.
Link rushed all the way. When he ran to the free throw line, Link changed his football position and directly held the ball and rushed into the crowd.
The entire Raptors' defensive attention was on Link, and Link's dunk just now made the Raptors feel scared. So, people only saw a group of players wearing white home jerseys, surrounding a Chinese wearing a dark blue No. 0 jersey.
But in the end, the basketball was heard from the group of players in white and headed straight out of the three-point line.
Outside the three-point line on the right, Tobias Harris received a basketball and no one was on the guard!
"I don't force you to play according to the traditional power forward's style of playing. You can try more perimeter jump shots and three-pointers. Gasol and Link attract firepower for you, and you have a lot of shooting space to use."
Stevens' arrangement echoed in Harris's mind, and Link's trust expression also appeared in front of Harris.
He can't let them down.
Harris pulled up his shot, and at this moment, he was not nervous at all.
The Raptors turned around in shock. Will this power forward still make three-pointers?
The next second, the Nets' rolling sound gave them the answer.
Tobias Harris made a three-pointer, and the Grizzlies rewritten the score to 19-20. They surpassed the score, and there was only one round left!
"Harris actually made a three-pointer. I never knew he would still make a three-pointer. The water dispenser manager who suddenly appeared in the second quarter became Link's best helper. He is so versatile and seems to be able to do anything! I hope the Raptors can defend their advantages."
After scoring the goal, Harris kissed the collar of his clothes and happily slapped Link.
Chapter completed!