章節 223: Defense Wins Championships.
Marc Gasol won the tip against Chris Bosh, and the Grizzlies secured the opening possession.
The Grizzlies started with a high-low set, feeding Randolph in the post to challenge Bosh. Despite Bosh's improved low-post defense after bulking up, Randolph bulldozed his way through and banked in a hook shot after a series of pivots.
Though it had been four or five days since the Western Conference Finals ended, the Grizzlies showed no signs of rust. Their intensity was sharp, a testament to the wake-up call they got from the Warriors earlier in the playoffs—a loss that was more motivating than any pre-game speech.
Han Sen didn't get involved offensively in the first play but locked in defensively on Dwyane Wade after transitioning back.
The seven-game slugfest between the Heat and Pacers had not only worn down the Heat but also served as a valuable scouting opportunity for Han.
Wade's subpar performance earlier in the series wasn't just about his legs recovering from injuries—it was the Pacers' defense, led by Tony Allen, that disrupted his drives and stymied Miami's offense. When Wade couldn't break through, Miami's system stalled.
However, things changed in Game 7. Erik Spoelstra adjusted by targeting Roy Hibbert with foul trouble early. With Hibbert benched, Spoelstra brought in Udonis Haslem, opening the floor for Wade to dominate the low post.
Wade feasted against Tony Allen there, and the Pacers' defense, unable to help due to Miami's shooting threats in Kevin Durant and Ray Allen, collapsed.
Han knew the Heat might try the same strategy against the Grizzlies. But Wade backing down Han in the post? Not happening. All Han needed to do was contain Wade and let the Grizzlies' team defense do the rest.
Wade tried driving but couldn't shake Han. He called for a screen from Bosh, who set it up perfectly. Han went over the top but was momentarily clipped, giving Wade space for a pull-up jumper. Yet before Wade could rise, Han darted around the screen and closed the gap.
Bosh, unfazed, set another pick, hoping to free Wade on the second attempt. This time Han slid through the screen with textbook footwork, cutting Wade off again.
The crowd stirred, sensing the brewing battle. Wade realized Han wasn't giving an inch.
Midway through the shot clock, Wade passed to Chalmers, who quickly shifted to the weak side for a pindown play aimed at Durant. Chalmers' pass was slightly off, thanks to Mike Conley's relentless ball pressure. By the time Durant caught the ball, Rudy Gay had already navigated the screen and was in his face.
The Grizzlies' defense shifted, leaving Kendrick Perkins unguarded to trap Durant. With time expiring, Durant had no choice but to force a contested turnaround jumper over Gasol's outstretched arm. The shot clanked off the rim.
Perkins hustled for the rebound, but Randolph had already secured his position, boxing him out like a seasoned veteran. When Bosh tried crashing the boards, Han stepped in, blocking his path. Randolph snagged the defensive rebound, and the Grizzlies pushed upcourt.
The Grizzlies' defensive intensity rattled Miami from the get-go. Just days removed from their war with the Pacers, the Heat found themselves in an even tougher battle.
On the next possession, Randolph again targeted Bosh in the post. This time, Miami's defense collapsed, forcing the Grizzlies to swing the ball. Conley faked a jumper, drove past Durant, and dished to Gay for an open shot. Gay's attempt rimmed out, but the Grizzlies' ball movement showed their offensive rhythm.
At the other end, Wade tried to exploit a slight opening against Han with a hesitation dribble followed by a sharp crossover. He managed to gain separation and put up a floater—only for Han to come flying in, swatting the ball into the stands.
The crowd erupted in disbelief. Wade stared at Han, stunned. He was sure he'd lost him on the dribble. But there was Han, towering over him, having just delivered an emphatic rejection.
Han turned to the crowd, wagging his finger in celebration—a bold nod to Mutombo's signature move. The officials quickly blew their whistle in a warning, reminding Han of the NBA's stance on taunting gestures.
Han smirked as he dropped his hand. He had already achieved his goal.
The Grizzlies' defensive intensity was on full display. Bosh's post-up attempt, with Marc Gasol providing help defense, clanked off the rim, and the Heat's offense came up empty again.
On the next possession, Randolph's spin move in the post drew Durant's help defense. Despite Durant's perfectly timed double-team, Randolph's focus didn't waver. He whipped the ball out to Rudy Gay, who seized the opportunity and nailed a three-pointer.
Erik Spoelstra jumped to the sideline, signaling for a tactical adjustment.
Miami responded with Durant running a pindown play off Bosh's screen. Randolph's struggles defending pick-and-rolls had always been a weak link in the Grizzlies' system.
If they didn't switch, Durant could shoot immediately off the catch. If they did switch, either Bosh or Durant would have a mismatch to exploit.
Han loved watching game film, but Spoelstra was a film maestro himself, and Miami had clearly studied the Grizzlies thoroughly.
"Switch!" Randolph called out, and the Grizzlies adjusted.
The Heat's follow-up strategy unfolded: Bosh muscled Gay toward the paint, and Durant posted up against Randolph. Chalmers waited for the right moment, then lobbed the ball into the paint—but it never reached Bosh. Gasol timed his help defense perfectly and swatted the pass away.
This sequence exposed the Heat's lack of a reliable floor general. With Perkins offering no offensive threat, Gasol could afford to leave him and help. A savvy playmaker would have redirected the ball to Durant instead.
The loose ball was scooped up by Conley, who spun around to initiate a fast break. Chalmers lunged to stop him, but Conley barely dribbled before launching the ball ahead.
Han Sen had already bolted past the three-point line.
The Heat's lineup, for all its firepower, wasn't built to stop every possession. Capitalizing on fast-break opportunities was crucial. Han caught the pass and sprinted ahead, Wade chasing him all the way. Near the free-throw line, Han slowed down just enough to body Wade, then took a step and soared for a two-handed slam that rattled the rim.
As the ball slammed through the hoop, Robert Sacre shot off the bench, twirling his towel in wild celebration.
The crowd erupted.
7–0!
This was not how anyone had predicted the game to start.
With the Heat boasting superior talent and riding the momentum of their recent series, logic dictated they should dominate from the jump. But everyone had underestimated the Grizzlies' defensive capabilities.
In the regular season, Memphis played at 90% defensive intensity. In the Finals, that number was cranked to 120%.
Just like against the Warriors, Han Sen led the charge, inspiring his teammates with relentless defense and boundless energy.
On the sideline, Coach Joerger pumped his fist in exhilaration.
During pregame planning, Joerger's strategy had been to assign Conley to guard Wade, easing Han's defensive burden so he could go full throttle offensively, as he did against the Spurs.
After all, the Heat were a stronger team, and the Grizzlies' best hope was Han catching fire.
But Han had proposed a different plan.
"The Heat win games with their offense," Han had argued. "We can't outgun them. We barely survived our Christmas Day game even when I scored 61 points. If we want to win, we have to play all-out defense—every single one of us."
Joerger eventually agreed, though he wasn't brimming with confidence.
After all, Miami's offense was one of the best in NBA history. Shutting them down seemed impossible, especially with Wade back in form after dismantling the Pacers.
But now, reality was proving Han's vision right. Memphis's defensive cohesion was off the charts.
The Heat were feeling the pressure.
If Miami couldn't break their scoring drought, this game could slip away before it even started.
Durant, seeking to break the ice, posted up Gay, calling for the ball.
With their set plays stalling, the Heat relied on their elite isolation scorers—one of the reasons their record had been so dominant this season. If one superstar couldn't crack the defense, the other could step in.
Few teams boasted elite defenders across the board. The Pacers were one exception; the Grizzlies weren't supposed to be another.
But as Durant caught the ball, the Grizzlies' double-team came instantly.
Durant's one-on-one skills were unmatched, but his playmaking wasn't. Double-teams were the ideal way to neutralize him.
This time, it wasn't Gasol providing the help but Conley, and the Grizzlies' defensive rotations clicked into motion. Han shadowed Chalmers, while Gay spread his wingspan to block Durant's passing lane to the weak side.
Without quick ball movement, Durant's options shrank. Under pressure, he opted to force a shot—a spinning fadeaway toward the baseline.
The move was stunning, but Gay stayed with him, contesting the shot with his length and athleticism.
Durant's jumper hit the front of the rim. Another empty possession for Miami.
Gasol snagged the rebound, and Memphis pushed the tempo again. Wade stayed with Han this time, forcing him to pass to the trailing Conley. Conley banked in a layup off the glass.
Spoelstra immediately called timeout.
The arena was buzzing.
9–0!
An unthinkable opening quarter had unfolded before everyone's eyes.
The Grizzlies' bench was in a frenzy.
Joerger high-fived every player coming off the floor, his excitement palpable. This wasn't just a great start; it had shattered their wildest expectations.
Such a perfect beginning didn't just grab momentum—it built confidence for players and coaches alike.
The NBA's strongest team?
Bring it on.
"In all the talk about who the league's best team is, one thing's clear right now," Kenny Smith exclaimed in the broadcast booth. "The Grizzlies are the league's best defensive team!"
As a two-time champion with the Rockets, Smith knew better than most that defense wins championships.
"Great offense can win you games," Smith continued. "But great defense wins you titles. And that's all about teamwork—switching, communicating, and trusting one another. That's why it's reliable, even when offense isn't."
Beside him, Charles Barkley grinned at Shaquille O'Neal. "So, are we live-streaming this bet or what?"
Shaq laughed, unbothered. "Good news is, KD won't be getting his bathwater tonight. That's all I care about."
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