Haslem was the most cost-effective player for the Heat Team, his play very much characterized by his role, yet he executed those tasks to perfection.
Last season he was troubled by injuries and barely played during the regular season, and his playoff performance was mediocre. This season, being healthy, he provided significant help to the Heat Team.
The Grizzlies switched to Little Gasol for a low post single play, but his turnaround shot was fiercely defended by Bosh.
After substituting players, the overall interior defense of the Heat Team notably improved.
The Heat Team now had an opportunity to gain momentum.
James repeated the pick-and-roll with Haslem, but this time Joerger micro-managed from the sidelines, and Guy did not double-team James.
Faced with Randolph, James used his signature footwork, but Randolph’s bulk, like a tower, prevented him from getting around. Eventually, to avoid Randolph’s long arms, his shot angle off the backboard was too high, and the ball didn’t even hit the rim.
A chorus of jeers erupted from the crowd.
To salvage James’ reputation after the last season’s finals, ESPN went all out this season, constantly promoting James.
Practicing post-up moves, developing three-pointers, strengthening mental acuity, any slight progress by James was exaggerated and highlighted.
Such overwhelming promotion might sway some people’s opinions, but if one attended the game on site, the stark difference between hype and reality was glaring, and it was immensely off-putting.
Conley controlled the ball to the frontcourt, he didn’t pass it inside again, but instead made a tactical signal and passed the ball to Hansen.
Hansen received the pass and initially picked-and-rolled with Randolph, but James defended timely. Seeing no opportunity, he dribbled back to the three-point line.
At that moment, a detail on the court, James did not follow Hansen out but instead pushed Haslem, directing him towards Hansen.
A deceptive defense and exhausting Hansen through three quarters until he was worn out, while the real defense saw his teammates step up to confront Hansen.
Hansen saw an opportunity to play big against smaller, abruptly stopping and shooting a jumper over Haslem, and scored. The latest_epɪ_sodes are on_the 𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹·𝑓𝑖𝑟𝑒·𝗇𝗲𝘁
The Grizzlies maintained a solid lead.
At a critical moment, Wade and Bosh executed a pick-and-roll, Bosh received the ball and powerfully drove inside drawing a foul from Little Gasol, earning two free throws.
Unfazed by the noise from the crowd, he made both free throws.
Back on defense, Wade aggressively limited Hansen’s reception, and James blocked a shot from Conley following a pick-and-roll with Little Gasol.
The Heat Team launched a fast break, with Wade receiving the ball and scoring a dunk.
After a small surge in momentum, the Heat Team closed the gap to one basket.
Hansen was right in his judgment; the Heat Team had battled through adversity to reach the playoffs, their mentality matured, unlikely to be easily defeated like the Thunders.
Memphis fans began to chant and support their home team.
Hansen increased his off-ball movement and received the pass through an off-ball pick-and-roll with Little Gasol.
Wade chose to circumvent and catch up with speed, preventing Hansen from creating a mismatch opportunity.
Upon noticing, Hansen signaled Guy in the corner to come for a pick-and-roll.
Although Guy was comparatively slower than players in his position, his screens were not as solid as Little Gasol’s, but he could manage to pull Wade away with quick off-ball actions.
James was switched to guard Hansen.
That was exactly what Hansen had intended.
Creating mismatch opportunities was challenging, and facing James yielded similar results.
As for James wanting to avoid, could he really evade for an entire game?
A loud chorus of jeers erupted in the arena.
Ever since last season’s news of "Hansen leading the Cavaliers’ third string to defeat the first and second strings" got out, the bad blood between Hansen and James had been well known.
Hansen looked at James, memories flooding his mind on this special stage.
Back in Cleveland, he and James were at odds, and it was for this very stage he chose to stay.
In the end, James decided to rest during the playoffs, leaving him to battle until he was out for the season, his wishes unfulfilled.
Now, two years later, he finally stepped back onto this stage, and James had transitioned from teammate to adversary.
He was determined to make James pay back everything he lost!
James’ expression was complex too.
He never thought that the "3D player" he couldn’t subdue, despite all efforts, would become the core of a team within two years, and the last major obstacle in his "must-win championship" journey.
Or maybe, after being humiliated by the team led by Hansen, his decision to keep Hansen had led to the scenario he feared the most.
What he didn’t want to experience, recall, or face was now right before his eyes.
He instinctively stepped back.
Hansen made a fake shooting motion, forcing James to step forward, then he dribbled right and quickly passed James.
By the time James caught up, preparing to double-team with Haslem, Hansen had already stopped and scored a mid-range jumper.
After the basket, Hansen, retreating on defense, shook his head at James.
James’ defense during his time with the Cavaliers was merely superficial, and it was ridiculous to think he could still defend after gaining weight this year.
Surely, no one actually thought defense was about who could block more shots in highlights?
Turning around, Wade drove with the ball, shooting off-target under the defense of Hansen and Little Gasol.
Spoelstra stood up from the bench.
This was the main reason he was reluctant to use his regular line-up, as few teams could match up on the ground game against the Grizzlies, and the Heat Team found it challenging.