Chapter 205: The Strongest Team vs. The Strongest Player.
On Christmas night, the FedEx Forum was packed to capacity.
Notably, this was the first time in franchise history that the Grizzlies were featured in a Christmas Day game.
Coincidentally, this year marked the debut of special Christmas Day jerseys co-designed by Adidas and the league. The Grizzlies' jerseys prominently displayed their team logo—a bold, fierce bear head—oozing wild energy.
During warm-ups, the arena cameras panned across the crowd before settling on the front-row seats.
When Scarlett's face appeared on the LED screen, the crowd erupted in cheers.
Scarlett waved gracefully at the camera, her charm and poise on full display. As Marvel's reigning queen, her popularity was unquestionable.
Of course, the cheers weren't just for Scarlett herself—they were fueled by the explosive headlines from earlier that month.
Why had LeBron mocked Durant with the now-infamous line, "Do you want to drink Han Sen's bathwater?" Because Scarlett and Han had been in the bath together, of course!
And during the Grizzlies-Thunder playoff series, Han had taunted Durant with trash talk, saying Scarlett was too tired to attend the game. Now, Scarlett was here in person!
The camera quickly cut to Durant, who was looking up at the screen. When he lowered his head, his face had turned a distinct shade of green.
Han's [Hater System] lit up with a whopping +1.5 hater points, the notifications seemingly endless.
This was a jackpot moment—he'd hit the hater-point lottery right from the opening act!
...
Following the opening ceremony, the starting lineups were announced:
Heat: Chalmers, Wade, Durant, Bosh, Perkins
Grizzlies: Conley, Han Sen, Gay, Randolph, Marc Gasol
The crowd roared as the starters took the court. The much-anticipated Christmas Day matchup between last season's Finals champions and runners-up was officially underway.
Marc Gasol won the tip against Bosh, and Conley brought the ball up, initiating the Grizzlies' offense with a post-up play.
However, Randolph missed his first shot attempt.
LeBron's departure had the most significant impact on Chris Bosh. In the 'original timeline,' this season saw the Heat space the floor by moving Bosh to the three-point line, earning him the nickname 'Bosh the Rebounder.'
But with Durant replacing LeBron, the Heat needed Bosh to be a post threat again, prompting him to bulk back up.
Now, Bosh's weight was comparable to his final Raptors days, but his mid-range shooting had significantly improved, marking the peak of his individual skillset.
Defensively, paired with Perkins, Bosh posed a challenge to Randolph. Z-Bo's scoring relied more on hooks and mid-range shots to exploit his height advantage, but Bosh's physicality and reach made things tough.
(TL/n: Randolph was nicknamed 'Z-Bo' by a friend since he resembled the neighborhood bully 'Deebo' from the 1995 film 'Friday'. It's a play on the name 'D-Bo'.)
On the other end, the Heat ran a frontcourt pick-and-roll with Durant and Bosh. After receiving a pass from Wade, Durant calmly drained a mid-range jumper.
A month of playing together had solidified the Heat's tactics. Wade served as the primary playmaker, while Durant thrived off-ball as a scorer. This setup maximized both stars' abilities while preserving Durant's energy.
In hindsight, the Thunder-Heat trade's biggest beneficiary was Durant.
Could Durant evolve into a playmaker? From what Han knew of history, the answer was no.
Though increased ball-handling responsibilities would boost his assist numbers, it was more akin to brute-forcing it than mastering it.
Durant's true 'Reaper' form came with the Warriors when he excelled as a pure finisher. Joining the Heat had accelerated that development.
...
The Heat were more than just beneficiaries of a weak Eastern Conference; Durant's elite finishing ability paired with Erik Spoelstra's coaching had made them a formidable force.
The Grizzlies failed to score again on their next possession, and Durant capitalized in transition, pulling up from the right wing and sinking a three over Gay.
Durant opened the game with five straight points, electrifying the crowd.
After the bucket, Durant let out a primal roar. Scarlett's presence hadn't rattled him—it had activated a predator's mindset.
For the first time this season, the Grizzlies faced trouble right from the tip-off.
...
Conley brought the ball up and passed to Han, initiating a pick-and-roll with Marc Gasol.
Perkins, a traditional big man, struggled to defend on the perimeter—an area ripe for exploitation.
But as soon as the pick-and-roll unfolded, Spoelstra's defensive scheme kicked in. Wade navigated the screen, while Perkins and Bosh quickly switched to contain Han.
Although the Heat couldn't replicate their LeBron-era lightning-fast defensive rotations, their core principles remained intact.
Han seized a brief window of opportunity, driving to the free-throw line and launching a floater just before Bosh could contest.
Swish!
That's Han—he only needs a split second to make an impact!
The FedEx Forum erupted with cheers.
This season, Han had often taken a backseat, coasting through games. As he'd said early on: as long as the team wins, his stats don't matter.
But against a powerhouse like the Heat, Han showed his sharp fangs right from the start.
...
"Defense! Defense!"
The crowd, energized by Han's basket, began chanting in unison.
The Grizzlies successfully contained Durant's off-ball movement, but his cuts forced the defense to overcommit. Taking advantage, Wade slashed to the rim and finished with a smooth Euro step past Gasol.
If LeBron's departure benefited Bosh, Durant's arrival transformed Wade.
For the first time in his career, Wade played alongside an elite off-ball scorer, alleviating his burden of creating tough shots and reducing defensive pressure.
Wade and Durant's offensive synergy was overwhelming—add a peak Bosh to the mix, and the Heat were now the true 'Big Three.'
...
Han resumed his pick-and-roll game with Gasol, but the Heat's defense clamped down even harder. Chalmers left the perimeter to help trap Han.
Although Han has been 'coasting' this season, he's still managed to score more points than last season, which highlights just how dangerous his offensive threat has become.
It seemed like Han wanted to take the shot before the double team could collapse on him. However, just as he raised the ball, he dished a no-look pass to the top of the arc, finding Conley.
This season, Han Sen gained the [Divine Fadeaway], giving him a reliable way to counter double teams. But having this talent hasn't made him fond of taking high-difficulty shots, and fortunately for the Grizzlies, his teammates don't need him to do that.
Conley received the ball, faked out the hard-charging Mario Chalmers with a slick hesitation, took one dribble to create space, and then knocked down a three-pointer.
The Heat may have the peak-level 'Big Three,' but the Grizzlies are also defending champions at the height of their powers!
Han Sen missed out on an assist, but he high-fived Conley while getting back on defense.
7–5.
The Heat came out with a strong opening, but the Grizzlies answered immediately. The clash between two peak teams thrilled the fans.
Halfway through the first quarter, the score was tied at 18–16. The game was neck-and-neck.
Han Sen drove to the rim and drew a foul, earning a trip to the free-throw line. A whistle blew from the sidelines: the Heat were subbing in Ray Allen for Chalmers.
Han Sen made both free throws, tying the game.
But on the very next possession, Ray Allen used a Perkins screen, received the ball at the perimeter, and drained a three, putting the Heat back in the lead.
If Steph Curry has the quickest release for threes, then Ray Allen is the master of the two-motion quick release.
His lightning-fast transition from catching the ball to shooting is what cemented his status as the all-time leader in three-pointers made—not just his longevity.
More importantly, on this Heat team with the 'Big Three' drawing attention, Allen isn't the defensive focal point, yet he only needs a simple off-ball screen to get open and score.
Though age has reduced him from 'superstar' status, Allen was still a highly effective player last season for the Celtics, averaging 14.2 points per game and shooting a blistering 45.3% from three on 5.1 attempts per game.
He also maintained above-average defense, which is remarkable at his age.
The Heat signed Allen with a $3 million mini mid-level exception, a move that has been vastly underrated in its impact.
In fact, this lineup on the court now might just be Miami's strongest.
By the 10th minute of the first quarter, the Heat's relentless offensive firepower had built a 26–20 lead.
Both teams started rotating their lineups.
Heat: Norris Cole, Ray Allen, James Jones, Chris Bosh, Udonis Haslem
Grizzlies: Jordan Crawford, Shane Battier, Rudy Gay, Antawn Jamison, Marc Gasol
Jamison immediately went to work in the low post, backing down Haslem and scoring with a spin-hook.
On the other end, Allen received a pass from Bosh and sank another three-pointer.
Jamison missed a three from Gasol's pass, but Gay followed up with an emphatic put-back dunk.
Back on defense, Gasol fouled Bosh on a post-up attempt. Bosh made both free throws, keeping the Heat in control.
While the Heat's 'Big Three' model inherently weakens their bench depth—further compounded by the earlier trade that sent Mike Miller and Josh McRoberts to the Thunder—coach Erik Spoelstra has managed to stagger his stars effectively.
A heavier Bosh with improved post-game skills has been instrumental in anchoring the second unit offensively. Last season, Bosh struggled to create in these situations due to his lack of low-post threat.
At the start of the second quarter, Spoelstra subbed out Bosh for Durant, who immediately went to work in the post. This skill, honed during Durant's Thunder days, has become even more lethal with the Heat, as Miami doesn't have a ball-dominant Westbrook. Surrounded by Cole, Allen, and Jones, this lineup maximizes spacing.
Three minutes into the second quarter, the Heat had stretched their lead to double digits at 40–30, sending the arena into a frenzy.
Only when the Grizzlies called on Han Sen to sub in for Gay did the atmosphere shift.
Coach Joerger had no choice—if the Heat's lead continued to grow, there wouldn't be a 'clutch moment' tonight.
Fans erupted with anticipation.
The Heat's dominance was undeniable, but Memphis had their own unstoppable force: Han Sen.
Han patted his chest before checking in, knowing it was time for him to step up.
On his first possession, he received the ball at the high post and posted up against Allen.
The Heat's floor-spacing lineup had its counterpart in the Grizzlies' second unit. With Jamison providing strong spacing at the four, Han Sen had room to operate.
Although Han Sen hasn't unlocked any post-up talents yet, his training with Hakeem Olajuwon had emphasized post footwork.
With a pivot, fake spin, and a fluid up-and-under, Han Sen finished with a soft bank shot.
The arena gasped.
"Is there anything this guy can't do?" the commentator marveled.
Yet Han realized something crucial: he needed to unlock post-up talents. His move worked because of Allen's slower foot speed, but Olajuwon's technique made him feel rooted like a tree, while Han still felt light and unsteady.
Durant tried to respond with his own post-up play but missed under Shane Battier's tenacious contest. Kenneth Faried grabbed the rebound and launched a long pass to a streaking Han Sen.
The Grizzlies' starters play a slower tempo, but their second unit can run.
Han Sen caught the pass, blew past Allen, and took a giant stride from just inside the free-throw line, throwing down a soaring dunk.
Allen's attempt to contest fell short—literally.
Durant scored on the next possession to steady the Heat, but Han Sen had found his rhythm. A quick fake drove Allen back, creating space for a step-back three that splashed through the net.
In just over a minute, Han Sen had racked up seven points.
The camera cut to Allen, shaking his head with a helpless expression. He could handle Gay's slower drives, but Han Sen was simply too overwhelming.
Spoelstra immediately summoned Dwyane Wade to check in.
However, before Wade could sub in, Battier intercepted a pass intended for Durant, sparking another fast break.
Han Sen led the charge, finishing with a smooth layup.
42–39.
In just a few minutes, the Grizzlies had clawed back to within one possession, and the Heat still hadn't called a timeout.
"Defense! Defense!"
The crowd roared, their energy now electric.
Durant passed out of a double team to an open Norris Cole, who missed the three.
Battier grabbed the rebound, swung the ball to Han Sen, and moved to the weak side.
Sensing his hot hand, Han Sen waved off a screen and posted up again. Spoelstra frantically signaled for Durant to double-team.
Han Sen pivoted toward the baseline to evade the pressure. As the third defender arrived, he spun into a fading jump shot.
From beyond the arc.
Ray Allen's contest fell short, and the ball sailed cleanly into the net.
Swish!
Spoelstra had seen enough, calling timeout as Han Sen, who had landed near the Heat bench, was helped up by fans.
He stood and tugged at the bear logo on his jersey, eliciting deafening 'MVP' chants from the crowd.
In less than six minutes, Han Sen had scored 12 consecutive points!
The Heat may be the league's best team on paper, but Memphis has its best player.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone