Chapter 189: Sweep?
105-94.
The Heat put up a resilient fight, closing the gap multiple times, but overall, the Grizzlies maintained firm control over the game.
For Heat fans, watching this match felt like being pinned under a mountain, unable to turn things around.
In the post-game stats, Han Sen posted an efficient 29 points, 4 rebounds, and 8 assists on 11-20 shooting.
Randolph had 19 points and 11 rebounds, Gasol scored 17 points and grabbed 15 rebounds, while Gay contributed 16 points.
On the Heat's side, LeBron went 9 for 24, scoring 25 points, with 7 rebounds, 4 assists, and 4 turnovers. Wade scored 21 points on 7-19 shooting, Bosh added 17 points and 4 rebounds, and Haslem recorded a 10-point, 11-rebound double-double.
The Grizzlies dominated the boards, 45-30, which ultimately decided the game.
In the post-game press conference, Han Sen and Gay attended.
"How would you rate the Heat's performance tonight?" asked an NBC reporter.
"They're a strong team, but we're stronger."
The first half of Han's answer surprised some, but the second half made his stance clear.
"We all know you and LeBron almost made it to the Finals together, but now you're opponents on the court. Does that feel special?" an ESPN reporter asked.
Han smirked; they were fishing for some sentimental remarks or nostalgia.
"You know, I went to college in Miami, and I still have a fishing rod there. If I gave it to LeBron, that'd be special. I just don't know if he'll still be around by then."
The room stirred, Han's comment dripping with playful sarcasm—and it made perfect sense too.
"Do you think the Grizzlies can win the championship now?" a TNT reporter asked.
"No, we all know this is just the beginning."
From last season's playoffs, the Heat established a defense-focused, fast-break style, evolving this season into a reliable one-big, four-small strategy.
Game 1 was crucial, especially since their approach directly countered the Grizzlies' half-court game.
Fans saw how that played out—it just didn't work.
Once Randolph found his rhythm, the Heat couldn't stop the 'Black and White Twin Towers' inside, neutralizing any fast-break opportunities.
Even without Han Sen, the Grizzlies would've made the Heat struggle.
But with Han Sen, the Grizzlies not only avoided spacing issues but also gained an outside scoring anchor.
Yet Han downplayed it, aware that the Grizzlies' challenges extended beyond just the Heat.
Two days later, the Finals Game 2 continued in Memphis.
Spoelstra started with a standard lineup, and the Heat opened with more energy than in Game 1, making several adjustments.
The biggest change was in LeBron, who, unlike in Game 1—or even the entire season—took on a support role for Wade.
Han's Game 1 comments had stung, reminding LeBron that he couldn't afford to lose.
And he remembered something else: in NBA history, only three teams had come back from an 0-2 Finals deficit. Post-1980, that number dropped to one—Wade's miraculous 2006 run.
So, his goal was clear—win one game, figure out the rest later. In garbage time, he'd pad his stats, ESPN would hype it up, and the Finals MVP could still be his.
Wade was far from his peak this season, and a slight stats edge would keep the Finals MVP in reach.
Dominating in versatility had always been his ace; worst case, he'd turn Wade into the next Carmelo.
Wade, determined under pressure, led the Heat to an even battle with the Grizzlies by halftime.
Then, in the second half, Coach Joerger made a bold move, starting Tony Allen over Gay.
The primary goal was to free up Han defensively.
Han had spent the first half contending with Wade's attacks, leaving him less room to score. The drawback was reduced spacing for the Grizzlies on offense.
But the result was surprising.
With Allen on the court, the Heat's offense nearly stalled.
Or, more precisely, their half-court game dried up.
In essence, the Heat weren't much different from the Thunder, relying on superstar-driven basketball.
With their two stars stifled, Miami's offense naturally slowed.
And without LeBron or Wade possessing reliable mid-range games, they fared worse than the Thunder in this stretch.
Bosh, still nursing injuries, wasn't in top form, and even at full health, his frame was no match for the Grizzlies' hefty big men.
Joerger also adjusted Memphis' offense, running more through Han rather than the post.
With Allen in, post-ups became easy to double-team, but Han's speed and ball control gave the Grizzlies an advantage.
With Allen in the weak-side corner, Miami couldn't double-team him as easily.
Spoelstra responded quickly, shifting to a one-big, four-small lineup, hoping quicker rotations would contain Han.
The Grizzlies adapted just as fast, running high-low plays with Gasol and Randolph.
Suddenly, Miami's interior defense was in trouble again.
The back-and-forth chess match between the coaching staffs was thrilling.
In the end, the Grizzlies pulled away, pushing the lead to double digits.
It was clear—the Heat's weak interior was their downfall. When their perimeter game faltered, the Grizzlies clamped down hard.
At this point, the whistle started blowing more frequently, putting Wade and LeBron on the line.
The Memphis crowd erupted in boos.
But the Grizzlies players stayed composed. Even Randolph wore a relaxed, goofy grin.
All the struggles they'd faced, including '5-on-8' against the Lakers, had hardened them. This type of game wasn't going to break their focus.
Fine, you make two free throws? We'll answer with a bucket in the half-court.
We can score—can you guarantee every free throw goes in? As long as Miami couldn't fast-break, free throws weren't going to close the gap.
Besides, biased whistles couldn't be called every possession. The fans would riot if they tried.
In the end, the whistles couldn't save the Heat. With a strong second half, the Grizzlies won 104-91, taking a 2-0 Finals lead.
As LeBron feared, teams that come back from 0-2 in the Finals are almost nonexistent in NBA history.
Time is running out for the Heat.
---
On TNT's latest episode, the 'Big Three Show' had kicked off.
"Let's discuss what the Heat need to do to turn this around," Smith introduced.
But Barkley wasted no time: "Enough of that pointless talk! Let's talk about whether the Heat can even win a game and if they'll break up this summer!"
Barkley's blunt approach immediately spiced up the show.
"I don't think the Heat stand a chance," added Shaq. "I was teammates with Han; I know the kind of guy he is."
"Speaking of teammates, Shaq, you played with DW, LeBron, and Han. Can you share the differences?" the host asked.
It was a great topic. Shaq's list of former teammates was almost as extensive as his ring collection—he was only missing Jordan.
"DW is incredibly selfless, a true team player. I don't mean on the stat sheet; he'd sacrifice everything for the team."
Everyone nodded in agreement; Wade was the only superstar who willingly relinquished his role as the team leader.
"LeBron…" Shaq frowned, "he's the most powerful player in the game."
The others leaned in curiously as Shaq adjusted his posture: "Once, during Cavs practice, Coach Brown scheduled it for 10 a.m., but LeBron said 12. And guess what? We changed it to 12. I remember thinking, 'Damn, what is this?' I was the Lakers' leader for years, but I never had that kind of control."
"Shaq, you sure this isn't a story?" Barkley questioned.
"No, no, LeBron could bring family and friends on the team plane and even into the locker room—things I saw firsthand in Cleveland. You could ask anyone on that team, even Han."
The others exchanged wide-eyed looks; Barkley and Smith, both former players, found it hard to believe. Not even Jordan had such privileges.
"What about Han?" Smith prodded.
"God gave Michael 23, and left Han the other 77." Shaq chuckled at his own joke.
The studio erupted in laughter; it had already become a famous quote.
"When I was in Cleveland, he felt like Kobe. Now we all know about him torching the starters with the third team—he fears no one. But come playoff time…"
"You think he's like another Michael?" Barkley interrupted.
"No, he's not Michael. He knows how to unite a team, which is his biggest difference from Kobe and Michael. Funny thing is, put Kobe or Michael on this Grizzlies team, and they might not match Han's results. That's the distinction."
Not quite like Wade, not quite like Kobe, not quite like Jordan. Han Sen was a rare breed.
To lead a team with no playoff history to the Finals and take a 2-0 lead within two seasons was no small feat.
"I think the series might get interesting, but Memphis is poised to make history like Dallas," Smith commented.
"The Miami Big Three are all stand-up guys, willing to sacrifice themselves to give certain cities their first shot at glory." Barkley added his ultimate jab.
"Too bad I wasn't playing in this era. Could've maybe snagged a ring myself with a few more good guys like that around."
After a laugh, they shifted to a topic that had every fan buzzing: would Miami's Big Three break up this summer?
Opinions were split. Barkley doubted it, arguing Miami couldn't afford the embarrassment of splitting up without a title.
Shaq thought otherwise, citing how Riley had no problem letting him go back in the day.
Kenny Smith offered a more level-headed take, "It all depends on how Miami bows out. If it's not in humiliating fashion, they might get one more shot."
…
On the plane to Miami, Rudy Gay nudged Han Sen, who was reviewing the latest TNT segment. "So, Han, are they saying we've got Miami's fate in our hands now?"
The Finals followed the classic 2-3-2 format, so after taking a 2-0 lead at home, the Grizzlies were off to Miami for three consecutive away games.
It was an odd setup that, ironically, seemed to benefit the team without home-court advantage, a holdover from the days when cross-country travel was more of a hassle.
But with their lead and momentum, the Grizzlies were sitting pretty.
Han took Rudy's phone, browsed through the show, and couldn't help but smirk. TNT's crew had that special talent for crafting dramatic hype around each Finals moment.
"Rudy, keep your head in the game. We haven't finished what we came to do," Han reminded him, serious but with a faint smile. He worried Rudy's excitement might cloud his focus.
"Yeah, yeah, I get it." Rudy scratched his ear, grinning. "But I still don't see how they're gonna stop us."
Last game, even with some generous calls favoring Miami and Spoelstra trying every lineup variation, the Heat couldn't keep up.
The way things were going, this Finals felt more like a formality after the Grizzlies took down the Lakers in the West.
Han, lost in thought for a moment, finally rose and went to confer with Coach Joerger, leaving Rudy standing there, mulling over his words.
…
When they landed in Miami, a small group of fans was waiting.
But it wasn't Heat fans — they were there for Han, mostly students from Barry University, led by a handful of the college's basketball team members.
The group's leader waved excitedly as Han approached with a grin.
Most of his old Barry teammates had graduated, leaving just Aaron O'Neal, who was now the team captain. They exchanged a few words before Aaron signaled for someone to bring over a package.
It was a brand-new fishing rod, something he'd teased about in a press conference earlier.
"Aaron, you… really went all out, huh?" Han almost laughed. He had just been joking, but Aaron had taken his word to heart and made it happen.
"Don't worry, Han, we're your Miami support crew!" Aaron declared proudly, and Han felt a swell of pride and gratitude.
This may have been Miami's territory, but with the support of friends like Aaron and his old school, it felt a little more like home.
"Don't worry. I'll make sure to put it to good use," Han said, patting Aaron's shoulder in appreciation.
-End of Chapter-
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