Chapter 244: History Repeats Itself.
(TL/n: Got bad news to share. I'm going on a trip next week which will last at least 20 days. So I'll be cutting down on my daily updates from 3->2 or even 1 depending on how many Chapters I manage to stockpile.
Unless I am able to translate on the phone, I won't be able to return to my usual schedule until January next year. At least we won't lose much ground to the raws since the original author has also slowed down.)
The Grizzlies faced off against the Rockets in Game 1 of their series, with Memphis hosting the opening game.
Coming off a grueling first round, Han Sen was not fully rested. Coach Joerger adjusted the game plan, assigning Rudy Gay to guard James Harden.
The result? Rudy Gay couldn't stop Harden.
Though Harden hadn't yet hit his career peak, his two seasons as the Rockets' primary playmaker had refined his skills significantly. His signature step-back jumper was now a thing of beauty, his off-the-dribble three-point shooting had greatly improved, and Chris Paul's presence allowed him more opportunities off-ball.
And let's not overlook the nightclub-fueled mastery of NBA foul rules—Harden had become a foul-drawing savant.
In this game, Harden went 7-for-17 from the field and a perfect 15-for-15 from the line, dropping 32 points.
Thanks to Harden's performance, the Rockets were neck-and-neck with the Grizzlies by the end of the third quarter.
In the West, there are no weak teams. A squad that survives a Game 7 battle isn't going to fold easily.
But they didn't have the final say in this game.