For the Grizzlies, this year was different from last year’s playoffs as they had ho court advantage in the first round. The series would start in mphis, saving them the trouble of traveling,
On ga day, a large number of mphis fans had gathered early outside the FedEx Forum.
Experiencing ho court advantage for the first ti since the team’s inception, it was hard for the fans not to be excited.
Hansen had arrived more than an hour before the ga to warm up. By the ti he arrived, several thousand fans had already entered the venue.
He was in good form during the warmup, making most of his shots.
After finishing, he didn’t go back to the locker room imdiately but sat on the sidelines to rest.
Just then, a child’s voice ca from behind.
Turning around, he saw a young fan holding a jersey in the stands, asking for an autograph.
He got up and walked over with a smile.
However, his move quickly excited the crowd, and one by one, they handed over their items for autographs.
Hansen signed a few before noticing that the young fan was being squeezed to the back. He took off his sneakers, signed them, and motioned for the fans to let the young fan co forward.
The young fan’s face flushed with excitent as he ca forward.
"Han, will we win?" the young fan couldn’t help but ask as he took the sneakers.
Now the other fans were also looking at Hansen.
Most of them had witnessed the Grizzlies being eliminated by the Mavericks at this arena last season.
Last season was acceptable since they made it to the Western Conference Finals and Guy was absent; however, this year, with a full roster and in the first round, if they were to be eliminated by the sa team again, their hearts wouldn’t take it.
"Of course, we will win," Hansen replied with a smile.
About twenty minutes before the ga started, players from both teams arrived at the court.
The Mavericks players appeared relaxed, joking and laughing, with Nowitzki even throwing alley-oop passes for Carter to dunk.
The team was compared to the 2007 Heat, but it was clear that, in both ability and mindset, this Mavericks team was much stronger than that Heat team.
After the warmup ended, the venue entered the opening ceremony.
The visiting team ca out first, Mavericks starting five: Jide, West, Marion, Nowitzki, Chandler.
As the ho team, the Grizzlies ca out later, Hansen leading the way as he vibrated his number 77 jersey, eliciting a thunderous cheer from the crowd.
Having played through the season, Hansen had now truly beco the core leader of the Grizzlies.
Grizzlies’ starting lineup: Conley, Hansen, Guy, Randolph, Little Gasol
Chandler passed the ball back to the Mavericks’ half, and the ga officially began.
Nowitzki positioned himself high, received the ball, and played one-on-one against Little Gasol.
Nowitzki turned and took a three-point threat Golden Chicken Stance fadeaway jumper.
It felt like a mont pulled right back to last season’s playoffs, as if nothing had changed.
But, as Nowitzki jumped, Little Gasol changed the scenario by stepping forward and giving strong interference.
Nowitzki’s shot finally clanged off the rim, triggering cheers from the fans.
The Mavericks may have maintained last season’s strength, but the Grizzlies had significantly improved!
Randolph called for the ball in the low post, Conley passed it inside, but instead of cutting backdoor, he stood on the periter to space the floor, confident in his outside shooting now.
But the Mavericks didn’t collapse defensively, leaving Randolph to face Chandler one-on-one in the low post.
Randolph’s multiple turn-around hook shots also went astray.
Last season, Randolph had effectively used his skills against Chandler at the low post, but this season he wasn’t in the sa form.
Both teams started with a clang, returning the ball to their opponents. Then Marion screened for Nowitzki, who cut off-ball, receiving Jide’s pass and scoring with a flying layup.
Expecting Nowitzki to perform supernaturally as he had last season wasn’t realistic. That kind of performance had only appeared once in his 11 playoff appearances. But superstars have their fundantals, and fully limiting his impact wasn’t realistic.
The Mavericks took the lead.
Turning back around, Conley directed a tactical adjustnt, with Hansen running off-ball to receive the pass.
This ti, West fought through Little Gasol’s screen to stick with Hansen.
But Hansen ignored him and went straight for the mid-range jumper!
"Swish!"
Hansen’s shot fell despite West’s defense.
West’s defense was spot-on, which is why he continued to start as the shooting guard for the Mavericks over Carter.
But that contrast highlighted Hansen’s determination to secure the win tonight.
Nowitzki continued with pick-and-rolls with Marion, but this ti they switched directions after the screen, Nowitzki moving out and Marion cutting inside.
Jide eventually bounced the ball to Marion, who shook off Little Gasol, caught the ball, drew Randolph to help defend, and then dished it to Chandler under the basket for a two-handed slam.
In the opening few sequences, the Mavericks fully displayed the caliber of a defending champion.
"Don’t underestimate the heart of a champion," comnted Mike Brin from the announcers’ booth.
This phrase, a classic NBA saying from Tomjanovich, is not widely known for its origin.
After the Rockets won their first championship, their strategies were thoroughly analyzed by opponents. Coupled with injuries, they finished sixth in the West during their defending season, with the outside world considering their chances of winning as zero.
Reviews
All reviews (0)