At the end of the first quarter, Popovich's arrogant expression fell on his face again.

27 to 25, the San Antonio Spurs entered the break with a 2-point advantage. Although the 2-point advantage is not much, it may not even be considered an advantage at all.

But for the Spurs, as long as they are not suppressed by the Grizzlies, they will have the confidence to win.

"The Spurs continued their outstanding form into the Western Conference Finals. With a back-off start, the Spurs stabilized the situation and overtook the score. I believe that the Spurs' performance this year must have exceeded most people's imagination. The 74-winning Grizzlies had the biggest trouble since the start of the playoffs."

Hubby Bryn looked at the data of the first half, and the Spurs were as efficient as ever. On the Grizzlies, Link seemed to have encountered some trouble.

7 points in a single quarter, but the shooting percentage is only 40%. For Link, this is definitely not the efficiency he should have. If he misses one more goal, Link's shooting percentage in the first quarter will fall below 40%.

In addition to Link, Jimmy Butler, who scored 5 points in the first quarter, was later in trouble.

Since Leonard replaced Butler with defense, Butler has struggled very hard on the offensive end.

Hubby Bryn still remembers that in the eighth minute of the first quarter, Butler cut into the basket in time, and Link also delivered the ball accurately. Logically speaking, Butler only needs to make a layup after receiving the pass to score.

But this kind of goal that must be scored was caught by Leonard.

This is just a clip from the first quarter. Butler can be said to live in the shadow of Leonard throughout the quarter.

Leonard's defensive ability seems to be too strong for Butler. Link's attack was not smooth due to the double delay of Dior and Duncan.

If it weren't for the substitute time, "Big Black Bear" Randolph came up to kill all sides, and the Spurs might have a greater lead now.

In the previous two rounds of the series, the Grizzlies swept their opponents with a score of 4-0. Although Paul had made 6 of 6 three-pointers in the second round and almost reversed 22 points in the last 8 minutes. Overall, the Grizzlies were not in any trouble.

As long as Link makes efforts, all crises will be resolved.

But today, Link was obviously trapped in the mud. He also wanted to exert force in the first quarter, but under the joint defense of Dior and Duncan, Link seemed to feel like he was getting deeper and deeper, and he struggled more and more.

Hubby Brynn curled his lips. This was the first difficulty the Grizzlies encountered in this playoffs this year. I wonder if they can hold on.

At the same time, on the Grizzlies' bench, Link also knew what the problem was in the first quarter. He and Butler were completely locked, which made the team unable to score efficiently.

The reason why Popovich used Dior to defend Link was that he hoped that Leonard could lock in another scoring point. In this way, the Grizzlies' offensive efficiency would be greatly reduced.

With Butler's current offensive ability, he is not able to perform well in Leonard's defense. Link must let Leonard return to him to liberate Butler.

The only way to get Leonard back to him is to break Dior's defense! When Dior can no longer limit Link, Link believes that Popovich will naturally let Leonard come back to see him.

"In the second quarter, Mark, you should play pick-and-roll with Link! Try to disrupt the Spurs' defense! Link, no matter how difficult it is, you have to score continuously and force the Spurs to switch defenses. In this way, you can break the deadlock." Dave Jogel was yelling with the tactical board, and he didn't want the team to get into trouble early.

Link smiled, and Jogel said everything to the point. He used cover to push Duncan away, so Link could attack Dior as he pleased.

So, don't underestimate the best coach this year.

Link played poorly in the first quarter, not because Dior's single defense was so strong, but because Dior always led Link into the defensive trap again and again.

But what if Duncan only plays Dior? Link is still quite confident.

"Jimmy, be prepared. Don't stop and run after Leonard leaves you." Before going on stage, Link patted Butler on the shoulder.

Then Link took a deep breath and stepped onto the court. Whether the Grizzlies' strategy can succeed lies in whether they can kill Dior with Link.

So the burden of this game is now all over Link.

After the second quarter started, both sides changed into the main lineup again. The Spurs were unwilling to give in, so the Grizzlies naturally didn't want to be pulled apart just like that.

At the beginning of the second quarter, the Spurs attacked first. Dior and Parker fought hand-in-hand to block Conley. So Link had to follow up and switch defense and left Dior to Conley.

Parker is not stupid, he won't try to attack the box on Link's head. As the first outside player to win the Best Defensive Player Award since Artest, Parker knows exactly how strong Link's defensive strength is.

So Parker sent Link away and immediately returned the ball to his French compatriot Dior. Dior held Conley back on his back, which was an opportunity to play a misplaced single!

Dior pushed forward with his back while observing the situation on the field. At this time, Leonard, Jimmy Butler and others were all restrained by their own matchups and there was no possibility of coming back to make up for defense.

So, the cautious Dior advanced two more steps and chose to turn over and jump shot! Dior, who was 2.03 meters tall, beat Conley, who was 1.85 meters tall, was simply too easy!

Dior made a shot, and although Conley tried his best to block it, he could not touch the basketball due to his huge height gap.

Conley can't even interfere with shooting!

Dior's mouth was slightly curled, waiting for the beautiful sound of the basketball when it entered the net.

But not long after the basketball flew out, Dior found an uninvited guest suddenly jumping into the air.

Then, Dior's expression completely solidified.

Why is Link here? He clearly observed the opponent's position before shooting, but Link was clearly attached to Parker!

Before Dior could figure out what was going on, Link slammed Dior's shot through Conley in the air in a volleyball position!

"Bang!"

Link fanned the basketball with a loud noise in his palm, and then flew over to Dior's scalp.

Dior instantly got goosebumps and even forgot to turn around and return to defense.

It was not until Link passed by him after he finished the blocking that Dior remembered what he would do next.

He was in a trance by Link!

"The incredible speed of defense is that before Dior shoots, Link was still standing by Parker. But when Dior makes a shooting move, Link makes up for the inside! I have to say that Link saves the Grizzlies' defense with his personal ability! The Grizzlies counterattack quickly, let's see what the Grizzlies will do this time!"

Hubby Brown speaks very quickly because the situation on the court changes faster!

The basketball that was blown out by Link fell into Iguodala's hands. Iguodala held the ball and made a quick break, but Danny Green immediately posted it up and prevented Iguodala from accelerating as she pleased.

At this moment, Link, who had just finished blocking, inserted it from Iguodala. Iguodala did not hesitate and sent the ball directly to Link!

At this time, Leonard had retreated to the outside of the three-point line. He opened his arms and waited for Link, trying to kill the Grizzlies' fast attack here.

Popovich breathed a sigh of relief, as long as Leonard was in place, the Grizzlies' fast attack would definitely not be able to fight.

However, facing Leonard with his long arms spread, Link had no intention of slowing down. Leonard licked his lips, ready to be hit by Link.

He completely overcame his inner fear. Now even a car hit Leonard, he would not move a step.

Link had already reached Leonard. The two were very close, and Leonard could even see the pores on Link's face.

But the next second, Link disappeared directly from Leonard with a "whip"!

There was no collision, no one turned his head. Link successfully changed direction the moment both sides collided!

"What!?" The conditioned reflex made Leonard turn around and chase back. Sure enough, Link had already broken through!

He completed a Ross-like change of direction without slowing down in an extremely small space!

"Link passed Leonard, a beautiful and fast feint! Leonard must be very surprised, because Kevin Durant doesn't have these tricks!"

As soon as Hubby Brown finished speaking, Link smashed the frame with both hands, venting all the aggrievances of his first quarter!

Hubby Brown gasped, and he found that he could not even keep up with Link's attack.

27 to 27, Link instantly suppressed the Spurs' arrogance with a violent block and a violent dunk at the beginning.

Link’s burden is indeed very heavy. Whether the entire tactic can operate depends on Link’s performance. But Link will not be overwhelmed by the heavy responsibility. On the contrary, he is very keen to shoulder the heavy responsibility!

After scoring the goal, Link pointed at Popovich, and Popovich's mouth twitched in anger.

It's just a counterattack. Popovich believes that as long as the Grizzlies do not crack the Spurs' strategy from a tactical level, the Grizzlies will never turn over!

Little did they know that the Spurs' second attack ended in failure. And the reason for the Spurs' failure was Link!

This time, the Spurs re-used the same trick. The other four players opened up the space, while Duncan was in the key position in the interior and was preparing to play Gasol alone.

But just as Parker passed the ball with a high lob, Link suddenly started and ran towards the pass route!

The advantage of high-hanging passes is that they are easy for big players to receive, but the disadvantage is that the pass speed is very slow.

So, Link had enough time to get from the three-point line to the passing route!

Leonard also stole Link in the first quarter, and Link is now all returned!

The moment the basketball started to fall, Link jumped up suddenly and grabbed the ball directly in the air.

The reason why high-hanging passes is convenient for big players to catch is that the ball is high and it is not easy to be intercepted.

But for Link, this level is not worth mentioning at all.

Popovich felt dizzy in his head, and his blood pressure soared! The key to Link's steal just now was not the bounce, but the fact that he saw through the Spurs' offensive routines and prepared for the steal in advance.

This means that on the tactical level, the Spurs no longer have that big advantage!

After the steal, Link personally controlled the ball and advanced. Just when Dior thought Link would accelerate the breakthrough, Link stopped outside the three-point line and then called for cover.

Mark Gasol immediately took over and the Grizzlies began to implement their key tactics.

Link quickly passed through the side with cover. Duncan was afraid of Gasol's shot, so he did not make up for defense. Dior had to bypass the pick-and-roll and chase Link.

After taking advantage of the screen, Link did not continue to go deep into the penalty area, but instead stopped at mid-range and prepared to jump shot! This is indeed an opportunity, and there is no problem with Link's choice.

Dior jumped hard, but he didn't want his defense against Link to be broken. Even if he could send out one percent of the interference, it would be better than having no interference at all.

"No, damn!" However, Dior, who jumped up, yelled in the air because he found that Link had no intention of shooting at all. It was a realistic and false action of worshiping Buddha just now!

Dior, who claimed to be unable to sway, was also tricked by Link's fake moves!

"Goodbye, coffee boy." Link muttered and walked past Dior who was flying.

Seeing this, Danny Green hurriedly made up for defense at the basket, but he regretted it after two seconds. Green actively rushed back to the penalty area, and got nothing except as Link's background board for dunking across the street!

"Another dunk! After continuing the block of the next person just now, Link made another dunk! After the second quarter, Link became unstoppable! Looking at his roar, did the San Antonio Spurs think they could win at the Federal Express Arena?"

Looking at Link roaring loudly after the dunk landed, Popovich became nervous again.

The defensive chains between Dior and Duncan seem to be less stable.

Do you want to use Leonard to defend that boy again? Popovich fell into another round of tangle.

When Link saw Popovich's expression from pride to entanglement, he felt much better inside.

Not everyone can have this experience that can lead Popovich's nose.

"Hurry and send someone stronger to guard me, or you can let the French lose 10 kilograms immediately. You can choose these two methods yourself." Link then came to the Spurs bench and squirted about trash at Popovich.

Players and players squirt about trash talks, and fans have seen many fans. But players and opponents squirt about trash talks, I have to say that this is indeed a new thing.

Popovich did not respond, but his extremely angry expression said it all.

Link believed that in a short time, he would be in a formal showdown with the "face paralyzed man".

Since you can't anger the Spurs' group of "stone players", then go and anger their coach!

Popovich is not omniscient and omnipotent, and Link believes that he is just an irritable old man.

He will be irritated, and he will make mistakes.

He thought he could control the overall situation like God? Link would let Popovich know that the players who control the game are always the players!

After spraying trash, Link quickly returned to defense. At most, Popovich would definitely change defense in three rounds!

Popovich has always controlled others. Today, it’s time to change him to experience what it feels like to be controlled by others.

I was not at home in the afternoon and evening, so I only updated three chapters. But the second chapter and the next third chapter are 4k chapters, so the total number of words is the same as usual, and even more. I hope you all know.
Chapter completed!