Bosh made one of two free throws, bringing the score to 13-8.
The four- or five-point difference lasted for two back-and-forths, just waiting to see whose scoring would cut off first.
Grizzlies’ strategy was the sa as before, still using pick-and-rolls with Hill.
Heat attempted to double-team Hansen, but Hansen wasn’t Durant, his passing motion forced the defender back.
Moreover, in the very next second after repelling the defender, he accelerated past Hill once again.
Despite Hill’s vast experience, he couldn’t help but feel a ripple in his heart at that mont.
How he used to get past players was exactly how Hansen was getting past him now.
This ti Bosh ca out to help defend, but Hansen closed the gap before dishing the ball to Randolph, who drew a foul from Perkins.
A quick whistle from the sidelines as Spoelstra substituted Ray Allen for Hill.
Randolph made both free throws, keeping Grizzlies up by 7.
Wade, acting as point guard, noticed Grizzlies’ defensive shift as he advanced to the frontcourt.
When he saw Hansen switch to guard Durant, Joerger was on the brink of saying sothing but ultimately remained silent.
No coach would use their offensive cornerstone to guard the opponent’s offensive cornerstone, especially when the latter is the main attacker on the field.
But after three seasons, he knew Hansen’s ability to read the ga, so he chose to trust Hansen.
Hansen had just thought about reminiscing with Durant when Durant imdiately backed up to call for the ball, not even bothering with a pick-and-roll with Bosh.
Alright then, thanks to the League and The Big Three of TNT, Durant’s grudge had peaked, even skipping the pleasantries.
Durant, with the ball, began to back Hansen down.
Knowing Hansen’s defense well after their many encounters, he was very cautious of Hansen’s low-post moves while backing him down.
After using his size to force Hansen down, he spun quickly towards the baseline.
But right after his spin, he discovered that Conley had co over to help.
He was now trapped in a double-team, and with two steals experts by his side, he felt like he was about to lose the ball.
He jumped decisively for a quick shot.
His reaction speed was fast, but Conley still managed to slap the ball down.
The ball bounced off Durant’s knee and out of bounds, granting possession to the Grizzlies.
"Afraid to defend one-on-one, huh?" Durant spat out, frustrated.
Hansen couldn’t help but laugh when he heard this.
He pointed at Wade, who was still outside the three-point line.
The rookie season he first faced Durant, he had done the sa gesture, except then it was Ibaka being pointed at, now it was Wade.
Durant was still the sa young man from before, unchanged.
This only made Durant angrier.
Whether it was Hansen’s gesture awakening old mories or frustration at his lack of playmaking ability, it was unclear.
After seeing Durant’s reaction, Hansen added fuel to the fire, "That’s still better than you being too scared to guard , right?"
Hansen’s intentional provocation could be heard by everyone on East University’s side, but Durant didn’t pick up on it.
Upon arriving in the frontcourt and seeing that his defender was now Durant, Hansen almost laughed.
Spoelstra’s expression at this ti was one of bewildernt.
Both teams had their key offensive player guarding the other’s offensive cornerstone, but his and Joerger’s sentints were worlds apart.
After all, Hansen was used to defending, but Durant had never been put in that position.
This wasn’t taking responsibility; it was showing off.
As a coach, though, he couldn’t say anything at the mont. It would be too disrespectful.
Actually, the best thing would have been for Wade to outright refuse, but who could expect that from soone as notoriously nice as he was?
Hansen didn’t call for a pick-and-roll and even chose to back Durant down instead.
It was as if Durant’s ears and nose were fuming.
To use post-up moves against a larger player like Hansen was doing was unconventional — shouldn’t he be driving instead?
Hansen was blatantly repeating the sa tactic he had used during the All-Star Ga, teaching him a lesson after his/Jas’ failed post-up attempt.
While backing down, Hansen glanced over his shoulder to keep an eye on Wade’s defensive positioning.
Post-up play’s weakness is the limited field of vision compared to face-up play; it wasn’t uncommon to miss an incoming double-team, as Durant had just experienced.
That’s also why as basketball evolved, periter players favored face-up play due to fewer handchecking restrictions and a better offensive view.
Once he saw Wade pinned down by Guy at the corner three, Hansen quickly lowered his center of gravity to initiate the physical contest.
Using post-ups against players bigger than yourself, the advantage lies in quickness, but solid contact is also essential.
After hitting a wall with the Illusion Step, Hansen’s physicality had improved once more.
Of course, another advantage at this mont was Durant’s emotions.
That was the real reason he chose to post up.
When a defensive player is controlled by emotions, their defensive efficacy is predictable.
A solid contact, followed by a fake step-back shot, sent Durant into the air with determination.
Hansen pivoted for a turnaround fadeaway.
Even with Durant’s size advantage, he could only watch Hansen shoot comfortably in his face.
But Wade took the opportunity to co over for help defense, leaping up to challenge Hansen’s shot as he released the ball.
"Swish!"
Hansen’s shot, despite the interference, hit its mark steadily.
17-8.
Hansen expanded the lead to 9 points with three offenses and one defense.
Spoelstra imdiately called for a tiout.
"Having Hansen on the Grizzlies is like the Bulls having Michael, the Rockets having Hakeem; you can confidently leave the ga in his hands," Kenny Smith exclaid once again.
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