After completing G2, the Grizzlies took a flight back to Memphis.
This would be their most grueling period, as making a comeback in this desperate situation was even more challenging than the game seven battle they had initially won.
This could be seen from the emotions of the players after returning to Memphis.
Although everyone was heavily invested in the training, their spirit was visibly low.
This was normal, as the Grizzlies had nearly exhausted all their strategies in the first two games.
Or rather, for this roster to have made it this far had already far exceeded most expectations.
Certainly, it exceeded the management’s expectations.
In fact, from the initial attitude of Wallace when Hansen joined the Grizzlies, it was clear the team’s goal was the playoffs.
As for the championship, that was something only Hansen dared to dream about.
Thus, when building the roster, management didn’t aim for that; otherwise, they wouldn’t have settled for such poor substitutes.
Especially in the center position, a team with Haddadi as a backup center competing for the championship sounded utterly absurd.
After the training session, Hansen pulled Randolph aside.
"Zack, I need you to do more."
Randolph was a bit confused by Hansen’s abrupt request, but like before the Spurs G4, he nodded in agreement.
Did the Grizzlies have any way to turn the situation around?
There was one. The latest_epɪ_sodes are on_the 𝘯𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭•𝓯𝓲𝓻𝓮•𝘯𝘦𝘵
That was to extend the main players’ time on the court.
By doing so, it would squeeze the substitutes’ playtime, turning their transition period shorter, and naturally, the disadvantage would decrease.
However, this would be a test of the starters’ stamina, especially on the postseason stage, which was incomparable to the regular season.
Moreover, this approach was somewhat like drinking poison to quench thirst, because it wasn’t just one game they had to play, but a whole series.
By this time, the Grizzlies had no other choice.
After talking with Randolph, Hansen shared his thoughts with Hollins.
Hollins simply couldn’t refuse, not because of Hansen’s current status on the team, but because reaching such an advanced stage was something he had never achieved, and as he previously said in an interview, he was completely out of ideas.
Expecting a defensive coach who relied on classic twin towers gameplay in the league to make adjustments on the Western Conference Finals stage was indeed too much to ask.
If Hollins was stubborn during the games against the Thunders, from the game Randolph got ejected, what he showed was more of incompetence.
At such a time, when someone throws you a lifeline, what else can you do but grab it tightly?
The next day, on the match day during the public practice session, the Grizzlies showed an impressive spirit in front of the reporters.
It wasn’t entirely feigned, as Hollins made some changes during today’s session, which might not work, but at least there was a direction.
Scoring 38 points in G1, defending Nowitzki in G2, Hansen was one of the few highlights for the Grizzlies and the focus of the reporters.
"Are you confident about tonight’s game?"
"Absolutely," Hansen’s confidence overflowed from the screen.
"Did you make any adjustments?"
"Of course, but that’s not the main point."
"What is the main point?" the reporter couldn’t help but be curious.
"Because this is our home court."
That evening in FedEx Forum, the place was packed full.
In the venue, you could see many signs saying "This is our home court," and you could fully feel how energizing Hansen’s words were.
Hansen leaping at Cleveland’s technical table had almost been forgotten by the fans, but the scene where he jumped at Memphis’s technical table after defeating the Thunders in G3 was still vivid.
After the opening ceremony, the starting lineups of both teams were released.
Mavericks: Jide, West, Marion, Nowitzki, Chandler
Grizzlies: Conley, Hansen, Battier, Randolph, Little Gasol
After the adjustments made in G2, the Grizzlies had switched back their lineup for tonight.
This adjustment conveyed a clear message: the Grizzlies wouldn’t let Hansen guard Nowitzki like in G2.
Indeed, that was the case. Chandler won the tip-off for the Mavericks, and when Nowitzki positioned low, Little Gasol was back on him.
Nowitzki, facing Little Gasol, didn’t hesitate and opened with a fadeaway jump shot.
His execution was no different from G1, but under Little Gasol’s interference, his shot hit the rim and bounced out.
It proved that Nowitzki’s G1 performance was an overachievement; he couldn’t sustain that level of play under such defense throughout the series.
"Good job, Mark!" Hansen also promptly encouraged Little Gasol with positive feedback.
Although Nowitzki couldn’t replicate his G1 performance, assuming that missing one shot meant he was in poor form, or even inadequate, would be fantastical thinking.
So, Little Gasol’s defensive confidence was crucial, not to completely stop Nowitzki, but to limit his impact.
Turning back, the Grizzlies were on the frontcourt, Randolph playing against Chandler in the low post.
He still used more footwork skills, but after missing a shot, he grabbed the offensive rebound and then shooting again drew a foul from Chandler.
After two games, there was nothing much for Randolph to hide in front of Chandler, but his aggressiveness was clearly strengthening.
This was his response to Hansen’s request for "more."
Of course, it wasn’t just that.
After Nowitzki used a catch-and-fake to shake Little Gasol and score a layup displaying his offensive skills.