James Harden made Gasol foul on the back as soon as the game started, which gave Jogel a headache.

Originally, the Grizzlies' interior reserves are quite weak now. If Gasol had to rest due to fouls, the Grizzlies would be even more passive.

If you use Gasol to resist Howard, you can still hold on. But if Azeli is allowed to face the angry "World Warcraft" alone, the Grizzlies' inside line will probably be broken.

Although Howard lost his dominance back then, he averaged nearly 20 points per game and had a shooting percentage of up to 60%.

He can still kill the game.

Jogel has already begun to plan the worst. If there is really a problem with the inside, he must find other ways to overcome the difficulties.

Indeed, there is no need to compete in every game in the regular season. Especially after the Grizzlies had won 74 last season, they no longer need to continue to prove anything in the regular season.

But if the problem is not solved, all teams will use this method to deal with the Grizzlies in the future.

Losing one or two games may not affect the overall situation. But if you don’t solve it and continue to lose, the Grizzlies’ prospects will be really worrying.

While Jogel was thinking about countermeasures, the Grizzlies had already attacked.

It is not an exaggeration to say that the Rockets' defense was in a mess last season, mainly because of Harden's inaction on the defensive end and the weakness of the Rockets' entire defensive lineup.

But this year, the Rockets' defense has made considerable progress. Needless to say, Beverly is based on his tenacious style.

As one of the few excellent 3D players in the league, Ariza has no major problems on the defensive end.

In terms of the inside, once Howard becomes serious, he is still a master of frame protection.

Therefore, the Rockets' defense this year is not bad. Apart from Harden's weakness, there are no big shortcomings.

Conley was just over halftime when he was pressed by Beverly. Beverly was really like a "mad dog". As long as he saw the "prey", he would attack at any cost.

If the No. 1 position is pressed, the entire team's offense will be more or less affected.

In the end, Jimmy Butler had to take the initiative to catch the ball, hoping to continue his outstanding offensive performance with Harden, who was not defending.

Butler successfully received the basketball and was about to break through, but found that Harden was also holding on to him!

Today, James Harden showed a completely different defensive attitude than before!

After Harden became serious, although he was not considered a defensive gate, he was no longer an ATM at least.

Butler gritted his teeth and forced Harden to the basket. But Harden refused to give in and kept interfering. Just as Butler made a layup, Dwight Howard jumped into the air, waved his hand and snapped the basketball down.

"This doesn't work. Jimmy Butler should not think too simple about the Rockets! Dwight Howard's ability to protect the frame is unquestionable. This level of attack will not defeat him!" Houston's commentator danced with excitement. When he spoke, he did not forget to look at Van Gundy proudly.

The active Beverly finally grabbed the basketball that was blown out by Howard, and the Rockets instantly turned from defense to offense.

The Rockets' counterattack was very fast, and in an instant, Harden and Beverly rushed to the front.

Link was not allowed to pounce on the inside, hoping to use a chase to prevent them from making easy layups. However, Beverly, who entered the basket and attracted Link to defend, passed the ball to the right corner.

There, Twol Ariza is unguarded!

"Damn it, it's over!" Link tried to change the center of gravity and rushed towards Ariza, but it was too late.

Ariza scored 40% of three-point shooting percentage in the Wizards last season. After returning to the Rockets this year, Ariza's three-pointers were also accurate. After receiving the ball, he took the decisive move and was not scared by Link.

The basketball ended up hollowing into the net, and the Rockets made a three-pointer!

Link shook his head. He didn't intend to miss Ariza. But if he didn't make up for the inside, Harden and Beverly would have a layup easily.

If you have to choose, you will definitely choose to block the inside line. After all, even if there is no one outside the three-point line, there is a probability that you will not make a shot. If the inside line is left alone, it will be impossible for the opponent to miss a layup.

It’s a pity that Ariza seized the opportunity this time.

"A beautiful counterattack, Link is not capable of clones! As of now, the Grizzlies played very embarrassedly. In the last game, without Durant and Westbrook, the Grizzlies won, which is enough to show the problem. Although the Grizzlies won, it is because the Thunder really has no strength. But the Rockets are different. Today, the Grizzlies will lose their last fig leaf!"

The more local commentator watches, the more excited it becomes. The Grizzlies are raging, which no team can handle in the entire league. Now they are going to be dealt with by the Rockets. How can he not be excited?

5-0, the Rockets' start is just like their current six-game winning streak, which is quite perfect.

Then the Grizzlies' attack, although Harris scored a goal with Motiejunas and scored a goal. Soon, Howard sat inside and pulled the score away again.

After Gasol made a foul early, he would inevitably be afraid of his actions on the defensive end and dare not make moves.

And that's exactly what McHale and Howard want to see.

Howard beat Gasol twice in the inside, then turned around and broke through.

If it were the Magic Period, Howard would have probably thrown Gasol away in one step.

But now Howard is only half a position ahead of Gasol. Gasol is stuck tightly and prevents Howard from getting close to the basket.

But Howard didn't care about that much. He took two big steps and leaned against Gasol and made a layup directly!

If Gasol interferes with the jump, he will most likely be able to stop Howard from scoring. But now, he is really afraid that he will be called a foul if he jumps together.

So Gasol could only stand in place and raise his arms to interfere with Howard. But this level of interference would not have caused Howard to lose.

In the end, Howard's forced layup was in the frame. 7 to 2, and the score difference continued to be stabilized at 5 points!

Link wanted to assist in defense, but he had just seen the result of letting Ariza make a three-pointer. What if Butler helps assist in defense? That would be even worse! Harden's three-pointer is more threatening than Ariza.

Even Harris was nailed outside the three-second zone. After six games in the regular season this year, Motieyunas' three-point shooting percentage was above 35%, and his mid-range shooting percentage was even more gratifying.

Motieyunas scored 21 points against the 76ers a week ago because the 76ers doubled Howard, which gave the Lithuanian many three-pointers and mid-range shots.

In this way, he was shot to death by Motiejunas.

As of now, Gasol can only control Howard by himself.

Link knew that today's game could not be played according to conventional means. So he took over the offensive power early and prepared to use violence to defeat violence.

But Link's first offense today did not go smoothly.

Link broke through Ariza and killed the inside, but unexpectedly Howard rushed back to the basket in time and knocked Link down roughly in the air. Under this fierce confrontation, the basketball naturally failed to make progress.

Moreover, after Link fell to the ground, he found that the referee was indifferent at all! The referee thought Howard was a reasonable collision, so Link missed the first attack today.

The Rockets hit Harden with a counterattack. When Harden saw Jimmy Butler sticking very seriously, he re-used the same trick and leaned forward "passionately" into Butler's arms.

Butler had a very strong personality. Not only did he dodge, he resisted Harden's impact. He didn't believe it, as long as he felt it, Harden could still trick the free throw.

Little did they know that the moment Harden and Butler came into contact, they seemed to hit the rubber and were bounced out exaggeratedly.

Butler was stunned. Did he exert that force just now?

Of course he didn't, but Harden's acting skills were so superb that Butler couldn't find any flaws.

The referee blew the whistle again, and James Harden went to the free throw line for the second game today! After continuing Gasol, Butler also received his first foul early!

"Good thing, James made the Grizzlies' defense at a loss. He stood on the free throw line again, which is a good opportunity to open the score!"

Van Gundy looked at his partner who was dancing and shook his head. Although Harden's move was indeed very effective, he was really too tricky.

Harden continued to make two free throws, and the Rockets widened the score difference to 7 points!

Howard happily slapped Harden with high fives. No matter how they got along before, at least they are close now.

In the subsequent games, Harden continued to show his superb skills in hitting the car. He caused two fouls by Butler and Gasol, forcing Tony Allen and Azeli to be ordered to appear early in the face of danger.

Link really admired the 8 free throws in a single quarter. Seeing Harden standing on the free throw line again and again, Link felt that the paint on the free throw line was quickly worn out.

After Butler and Gasol were forced to leave the court, the Grizzlies' offense became thinner. After all, Tony Allen and Azelley had no independent offensive ability.

The Rockets completely dominated the first quarter, Harden scored 12 points in a single quarter, of which 8 points came from free throws! Howard scored 8 points in a single quarter, and Azelley, who had no height and wingspan advantage, could not limit the "Warcraft".

Tobias Harris was forced to play for a 12-minute full quarter. While Jogel was worried that Harris would be injured, there was no substitute available.

In the end, the Rockets ended the first quarter with an 8-point advantage. If Link hadn't still performed bravely and tied up the Grizzlies' offense, the score difference would have definitely gone to double digits.

After the first quarter, the atmosphere at Toyota Center became extremely hot.

If Houston fans were somewhat lacking in confidence before the game started, then now, when the Rockets led the Grizzlies by 8 points in a single quarter, they put down all their concerns and started to have a carnival.

"Hahaha, have you seen it? Jeff. I said, the Memphis Grizzlies are no longer the best team in the league!"

On the commentary stage, Jeff Van Gundy could only accept the sarcasm from his partner.

Link sat back on the bench, wiped the sweat from his forehead, and then smashed the towel to the ground, "That's so fucking shameless!"

Seeing that Link got angry, the entire Grizzlies didn't say anything. After all, Harden's trick to get a team's leading star lost his composure at Toyota Center.

Now, the Grizzlies' proud defense has been completely broken up. There is only one way to attack before Link and the Grizzlies.

Superb, efficient, and fierce, able to overcome the Rockets' offense.

However, with the lack of soldiers and fouls, it is difficult for the Grizzlies to line up a strong offensive lineup. Moreover, today, Link obviously cannot get the attention of the referee on the court. It is very difficult to make a fierce attack.

Link took a deep breath to calm himself down. He believed that the game was not over yet and the Grizzlies still had a way.

A few seconds later, Link looked up at Jogel.

"In the second quarter, I will try to hit the offense. But I need space and speed up. Dave, what do you think?"
Chapter completed!