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Chapter 299 - 168 "Poison Combination

Chapter 299: Chapter 168 "Poison Combination

The FedEx Forum was buzzing like never before.

At the start of the season, the Grizzlies had an unprecedented four-game winning streak, which raised expectations.

But unexpectedly, Randolph got injured right away and was out for two months.

Now, Memphis fans could finally see their full team back in action!

They, like Hansen, were eager to see what would happen when they faced the Lakers.

Realistically speaking, if the Grizzlies wanted to win the championship this season, they had to get past the Lakers.

Hoping the Lakers would be eliminated by another team didn’t match the Grizzlies’ fighting spirit.

In other words, only by crushing the Lakers tonight could they truly connect with the championship.

The league also greatly valued tonight’s game, and the TNT Big Three were all present.

"The Grizzlies lost last time only because Randolph wasn’t there; tonight, they’ll give the Lakers a sound thrashing," Barkley was already blowing hard at the commentary desk.

"But Okafor wasn’t at the last game either, and the Lakers are the team with stronger paper strength," O’Neal countered.

Don’t take it seriously, it’s all for show, just role-playing.

No one wanted to see the Lakers lose more than O’Neal, but the commentary needed opposing views, and he couldn’t shed his label as a Lakers legend.

Then, the two started betting, their stake was whoever lost had to shave a "Kenny Smith-like hairstyle."

Why Kenny Smith, you ask?

O’Neal mentioned the "peak three giants"; the third person also needed a presence.

Otherwise, with or without you, what’s the point of being called the Big Three?

As for what Kenny Smith’s hairstyle is, it’s actually bald, but since their hairlines are quite far back, it makes their foreheads particularly shiny and bald.

According to the setup, Barkley supported the Grizzlies, and O’Neal supported the Lakers, the two were pitted against each other, which sparked the broadcast’s fervor immediately.

After their talk, the on-court warm-ups ended, and the opening ceremony commenced.

The Lakers, as the visiting team, appeared first with their standard starting five: Paul, Kobe, Ci Shiping, Gasol, Okafor.

Who’s Ci Shiping? In September last year, Artest had changed his name to Charity-World-Peace.

Following the visiting team, the home team appeared: Conley, Hansen, Guy, Speights, Little Gasol.

This starting lineup left the Lakers somewhat puzzled.

Because Randolph wasn’t starting!

Could Randolph’s return be a Grizzlies’ decoy?

But Randolph had participated in the warm-up.

As the last three minutes of preparation time concluded, the starting players from both teams made their way onto the court.

The excitement in the arena was uncontrollable.

Little Gasol faced Big Gasol at center court for the jump ball, and finally, the younger brother outdid his older brother by tapping the ball back into the Grizzlies’ half, officially starting the game.

Grizzlies’ opening play was Little Gasol receiving the ball in the low post for a solo play.

Joerger’s tactic also meant to test Okafor’s condition.

The previous postseason had boosted Little Gasol’s confidence, and Randolph’s absence had honed Little Gasol’s skills in the paint; he now had a decent standard in solo post plays.

Between the two giants, Little Gasol with fancy footwork, got past Okafor for a score off the board.

Grizzlies took the lead.

This also sparked a round of cheers from the fans.

Most outsiders were only focusing on the Grizzlies’ lineup issues, but in fact, their key players had all improved to different extents from last season.

Of course, Joerger’s aim was also met; Okafor might be playing, but it didn’t mean he was at his best, recurring injuries greatly affect a player’s condition.

Paul organized the play in the frontcourt, Kobe’s movement drew the Grizzlies’ defense, and Paul passed the ball without looking to Big Gasol who was cutting to the basket after a pick and roll.

Big Gasol, facing Little Gasol, made a float shot off the board successfully.

This Lakers’ opening offense showed why they were the numero uno in the league.

Okafor and the likes were just icing on the cake; the synergy between the three key players was critical.

Little Gasol continued in the low post, calling for the ball for a solo play, but this time the Lakers double-teamed him; however, this played right into the Grizzlies’ hands. Hansen and Speights quickly moved to the free throw line after setting a screen, and Little Gasol’s pass reached them.

At that moment, Hansen had a brief open shot.

This was also where Speights’ spacing ability came into play; when he moved to the perimeter, Ci Shiping had to follow him.

Hansen, after receiving the ball, made a feint to lift Big Gasol and broke past him, while Kobe came over to help defend.

Hansen finished with a mid-range shot before that could happen.

"Swish!"

Kobe’s early jump to interrupt did not stop Hansen from making the shot.

Turning back, Paul and Big Gasol executed a pick and roll, drawing in a double team, and quickly passed the ball to Big Gasol.

This pass was beautifully timed, but Little Gasol quickly stepped up and blocked Big Gasol’s angle of attack. Big Gasol didn’t panic; after a back movement, he then passed the ball to Kobe who had freed himself from Guy and was speeding towards the basket, also blocking Little Gasol’s defensive route.

Kobe leaped and made a flying layup avoiding Hansen’s block, scoring off the board.

The audience was stirred up, fans watching intently.

Setting aside the outcome for the moment, the quality of tonight’s game was top-notch.

"If they meet in the playoffs, it will contribute the most exciting round of the series," even Kenny Smith, usually the more objective one among the TNT Big Three, exclaimed at that moment.