Ninety-Five: I've Been Tricked (7/40)

Memphis on Jan. 21 was a high-profile event for the Grizzlies after the New Orleans Hornets.

In addition to the personal grievances between Link and the Rockets, this game is also related to the ranking competition between the two sides.

In the case of the Jazz's decline, the three teams of the Rockets, Hornets and Grizzlies will compete for a playoff spot even more crazy.

The probability that was originally 3 to 1 has now become 3 to 2, so naturally everyone wants to work hard.

Last game, the Grizzlies just beat the Hornets to improve their standings from a head-to-head matchup. So for the Rockets, their pressure is huge.

Grizzlies and Hornets are gradually widening the gap with the Rockets, Adelman can not allow his team to miss the playoffs for the second consecutive year.

So today, the Rockets came to the FedEx Center Arena in the afternoon to prepare for the game. It can be seen that the Houston Rockets attach great importance to this game.

However, when the Rockets players entered, they found that the Grizzlies had already started to warm up. Adelman can not help shaking his head, it seems that the other side and he is equally eager to win.

Link always felt a little weird watching the Rockets players enter the stadium. In Houston, he actually got along pretty well with Adelman and a few of the Rockets. What he really hates is using his own Morey, not a Rockets player.

Although he has only played in the NBA for less than half a season, Link has already experienced the complicated feelings of fighting with his old club once, and his experience is really amazing.

"Link, long time no see!"

While Link stared blankly at the Rockets players, Jordan Hill, a center with dreadlocks, came towards Link enthusiastically.

During his time with the Rockets, Link's most talked about goal was the alley-oop between him and Jordan Hill. And Hill also got along very well with Link because of that goal. Although Link only stayed with the Rockets for ten days, he and Hill are still friends.

"Long time no see, how are you doing?" Link hugged Jordan Hill, and he suddenly felt that the NBA world didn't just have cruelty.

"It's good, the ranking is behind you. It's a pity, I thought we would continue to cooperate..." Hill sighed, even he didn't expect the Rockets to give up Link.

"No way, it's something we can't control. How's the game preparation? It's not that easy to take the win in Memphis."

"Yes, yes, even Chris Paul has fallen into your hands, of course we will not take it lightly." Hill said, turning to look at Kevin Martin who was warming up in the other half, "But You have to be careful too, because we are fully prepared."

Link looked at Martin over Jordan Hill's shoulder. Speaking of which, he was going to face that guy today...

※※※

"I didn't expect you to come to Memphis. I heard that you applied for it on your own initiative?"

On the commentary stage of the FedEx Center, the two commentators from T.NT chatted for a while before the game started.

Jeff Van Gundy, the former head coach of the Rockets, was assigned by T.NT to explain the game. According to the original plan, his partner should be a local commentator in Memphis. But today, next to him is the famous Charles Barkley. Therefore, he asked Van Gundy curiously.

"Hahaha, I did take the initiative to apply to explain the game. To be exact, I want to watch the game in person." Barkley made no secret of his purpose, although this guy is a "villain" in front of his work "The image, but in fact he is very sincere to colleagues.

"Why? Something in Memphis?"

"What's going on? If you watched the last Grizzlies-Hornet game, I'm sure you'll be drawn to the Grizzlies as well. I'm sure today's game will be as exciting as the last game. ." Buckley said.

Cast your eyes to the court, staring at the No. 0 who is talking to Jordan Hill.

"Haha," Van Gundy smiled, "I see what you mean, Charles. It seems that you have become a Link fan?"

"The fans can't talk about it, but... I always have high hopes for that kid and wonder what he can do. Don't look at how friendly he is now, when he gets on the field, the kid completely changes. a person."

On the court, Link ended his chat with Hill, and then continued to devote himself to the warm-up. Today, Link, under the leadership of Marcus Weir, deliberately practiced the offensive action of driving to the basket with the ball. There is no doubt that Hollins will definitely ask Link to use his physical advantage to beat Kevin Martin today.

Martin has performed very well in the past two games. On January 17, when the Houston Rockets played against the Bucks, Martin scored 36 points. On January 19, the Rockets played against New York, and Martin also scored 25 points.

Therefore, Link did not dare to slack off. He was facing the opponent's top scorer today, and he didn't want to be crushed by Martin.

The warm-up continued for a while, and the referee signaled that the two sides were ready to start the game. The players of the two teams have just come off the field, and the head coach makes the final deployment.

"Defensively, you have to be careful with that kid's fakes. You're experienced and I'm sure you can't make mistakes. As for the offense... lure him, you know what to do." Adel said before the game. Man deliberately leaned into Martin's ear and explained a few words.

He knew that Hollins would definitely use Link to play the starting No. 2 position today. After all, in the three games that Mayo was suspended, Link did a very good job in the starting position.

In three starts, Link averaged 18 points per game and shot 57.6%. Compared with Mayo's starting, I don't know how many times it is easier to use.

Not to mention, in the last game, Link's highly valuable key steals and lore.

Therefore, it is normal for Adelman to be afraid of Link.

But Adelman also believes that Kevin. Martin is capable of defeating Link, no matter how powerful Link is, he is still just an undrafted pick. Kevin Martin is not the Belinelli of the last game. If you think Martin is just a shooter, you are wrong.

A few minutes later, the game officially started. Barkley stared at the court expectantly, eager to see exactly how Link would take his revenge against the Rockets.

Also concerned about this game is Rockets general manager Daryl Morey, although in front of the media, he is a good link. But in fact, Morey Barbados Link was out of order today.

In this way, the Rockets can not only win, Morey can also get rid of infamy.

Before he knew it, Link also became much noticed.

"This game is of great significance to the Grizzlies' starting No. 2, Link. He once entered the league full of blood, but was cruelly abandoned by the Houston Rockets. So he played against the Rockets' Vipers in the G League. In 2019, Link scored 52 points in one fell swoop, setting a single-game scoring record for the G League. Today, facing the real Rockets, I don't know what Link can do."

Before the jump ball started, Barkley on the commentary stage had already begun to exaggerate the atmosphere of the game. He directly moved the relationship between Link and the Rockets, hoping that all fans can catch the point.

The two sides jumped the ball, and Gasol, as always, won the ball for the Grizzlies. Rockets center Chuck Hayes claims that he can be 2 meters tall with shoes on. Naturally, the No. 5 position of this body cannot compete with Pau Gasol.

The Grizzlies' first offense played very routinely, and the big black bear Randolph took the lead to open the situation.

Randolph got into the low post and hit Argentine striker Scola, easily using a hook to give the Grizzlies a head start.

As a "native" Chinese, the Rockets during Yao Ming's period were naturally one of Link's home teams. And Scola, it is a character that the Rockets of that period could not spare.

The Argentine has excellent skills at the basket and his footsteps are very exciting. But limited by physical fitness, his defensive ability is very mediocre. Not a colander, but also by no means strong.

Therefore, Randolph should not be too easy to play Scola. Inside attack, this is the Grizzlies' main offensive strategy today.

The Grizzlies scored first, but Link didn't let his guard down. Because he knew very well that he was about to face his first challenge today.

That Kevin Martin, who looked thinner than Link, was running towards the front court.

The Rockets' starting point guard was Kyle Lowry, who would become a big hit in Toronto in the future. Link still remembers that Lowry became famous this year. This once little-known little guard has entered everyone's field of vision since this season.

However, Lowry's offensive stability during this period was very poor. Therefore, his first goal is not to score, but to connect the team.

Kevin Martin ran the court, hoping to get the chance to catch the ball and shoot. Link followed closely behind, knowing that the best way to defend a shooter was to end the press and not give him any space.

Martin eventually ran to the right corner and received a pass from Lowry.

After catching the ball, Martin did not hesitate to break through immediately! He wanted to hit Link for a time difference, but unexpectedly Link retreated in time, blocking his way.

"Link defended well, he always stayed around Kevin Martin!" On the commentary stage, Jeff Van Gundy exclaimed.

But Adelman on the sidelines laughed, and that kid really fell for it!

Seeing Link clinging to him, Kevin Martin, who had broken through to the middle distance, suddenly jumped and leaned forward a little.

Link, who had the rich experience of Grant Hill, immediately understood what Martin wanted to do, but it was too late to avoid it.

In this way, Martin leaned on Link and shot the ball, and then fell to the ground in a very exaggerated manner, as if he was hit by a big truck.

And Link dared to swear to God that he didn't exert any force at all!

However, this is the essence of Kevin Martin. With his superb acting skills and thin body, it is easy to win the sympathy of the referee. From the visual point of view of the ball just now, Kevin Martin seemed to be seriously violated.

When Link came back to his senses, the referee blew his whistle. Link's shooting foul, Martin has to stand on the free throw line and make two free throws!

"My Cao?" Link looked at Martin, and then he remembered that this guy was the most proficient guard in the league before James Harden became famous!

Martin walked past Link with a smirk and stood at the free throw line. It's just an undrafted pick, take it!