Nowitzki, facing pressure, sank the shot.
"Mark, don’t lose heart," Hansen cheered on Little Gasol. "He can’t keep making shots like that."
Little Gasol nodded; it was just one basket after all.
Turning back around, Randolph attempted to post up Chandler in the low post but unusually couldn’t gain the advantage.
Randolph outweighed Chandler, but Chandler was equally strong and, crucially, had height, wingspan, and quick reactions.
Randolph’s turnaround jumper, disrupted by defense, went astray.
After catching the ball, Jide tried to push for a fast break and, seeing no opportunity, slowed it down to set up the play.
It was Nowitzki again with the ball, only this time he had moved to the high post on the left side.
This time, Nowitzki opted for a back-to-the-basket play, drawing Conley in with a fake move towards the free-throw line. Just as Little Gasol thought he was going to pass, Nowitzki spun swiftly to baseline and finished with a two-handed dunk under the basket.
Randolph tried to help defend, but Chandler had him blocked off tightly.
American Airlines Center erupted.
Nowitzki’s form was excellent at the start, and his offensive desire was intense.
Hansen also started to move without the ball, taking Randolph’s pass after moving to the free-throw line and then speeding to the paint to launch a floater over Chandler.
After the shot went in, he glanced at Chandler.
He had targeted Nowitzki’s slower defensive steps, but Chandler was really quick; he’d scored purely by leveraging his talent.
Previously, when O’Neal started, the Mavericks’ interior defense was actually weak, especially against teams that could shoot, which put them in a passive position.
But after O’Neal’s injury, with Chandler stepping in, the Mavericks’ defensive system was quickly established.
Jide advanced to the frontcourt and passed the ball to Nowitzki, who was still at the left high post.
This time, Little Gasol got physical, not allowing Nowitzki a comfortable shooting rhythm.
Nowitzki turned to back him down toward the free-throw line, then spun around, but this time, instead of driving, he created distance for a fadeaway jumper.
Little Gasol was still somewhat unable to keep up with this pace, and, more importantly, Nowitzki utilized his signature move "Golden Chicken Stance," which Little Gasol couldn’t reach even if he tried.
Nowitzki’s fadeaway shot hit nothing but net.
He was scorching hot tonight.
Come on, that’s just filthy!
Hansen, who had already come up to help defend, was too late to reach Nowitzki as he spun to the baseline.
But he had a close view of Nowitzki’s Golden Chicken Stance, noting just how dirty it was.
Unless the defender had an iron groin, they could only flail at the shot, and even then, it was hard to disrupt.
On the Grizzlies’ offensive play, Hansen repeated his previous maneuver. This time, after seeing Chandler step out, he passed the ball towards Randolph.
It was a good thought, but the angle was slightly off; by the time Randolph caught the ball, Nowitzki had already rotated to help. In the end, Randolph forced Nowitzki into a defensive foul by powering through.
Hansen went over and slapped hands with Randolph.
As the playoffs deepened, Hansen was increasingly inclined to cash in on his Passing Talent.
It wasn’t about whether or not he could pass, but precision was crucial.
In high-level games, being off by fractions of a second completely changed opportunities.
Randolph made both free throws, and the Grizzlies closely trailed the score.
On the return play, Jide passed the ball again to Nowitzki.
This time he was positioned at the low post on the right side.
Similar to his initial face-up move at the start, Little Gasol didn’t muscle up this time, aiming instead to maintain a defensive stance.
Nowitzki, again opting for a jump shot, got Little Gasol to follow his rhythm this time, adding strong interference to the shot.
Nowitzki had to raise the arc of his shot, just brushing past Little Gasol’s fingertips. Thıs text ıs hosted at 𝕟𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕝·𝘧𝙞𝙧𝙚·𝔫𝔢𝔱
The ball dropped through the net once again.
Nowitzki was 4 for 4 to start the game!
Seeing the ball go in, the disappointment was visible in Little Gasol’s eyes.
Hansen’s face also showed surprise.
Little Gasol did everything right defensively on that play; Nowitzki must be on fire!
First Team: Ross, Kobe, Durant, James, Howard
Second Team: Westbrook, Wade, Nowitzki, Paul Gasol, Stademeyer
Third Team: Paul, Manu Ginobili, Hansen, Alderich, Zach Randolph
All-Defensive First Team: Rondo, Kobe, James, Garnett, Howard
All-Defensive Second Team: Paul, Iguodala, Hansen, Noah, Tyson Chandler