Chapter 125: “the Great Defense”
Xu Ling stepped up to the free throw line, ignoring the crowd’s interference, and made the technical free throw.
17 to 12
The lead was back to 5 points.
So far, Xu Ling had 10 points and held the upper hand in his matchup against Paul Pierce.
However, the Celtics’ terror lay in their team cohesion and depth.
At the end of the first quarter, both teams subbed in partial rotation lineups.
On the Celtics’ bench, James Posey and Leon Powe stepped up.
Posey hit a corner three-pointer, and Powe used his speed to drive for points.
Meanwhile, the Grizzlies’ second unit struggled offensively.
Howard, tasked with bridging the rotation, couldn’t deploy his habit of mid-range isolation plays on the wing against the Celtics’ defense, and Theo Ratliff picked up fouls in succession.
As the Celtics hit a buzzer-beater shot when the referee’s whistle blew during the final moments of the first quarter, the first quarter ended.
The Boston Celtics led the Memphis Grizzlies 27 to 21, by 6 points.
During the quarter break, Celtics head coach Doc Rivers roared at his players: “They only have one guy who can score! Lock down that Chinese kid! P.P., calm the fuck down! You’re our star, our number one player, don’t let him drag you into the mud! In the second quarter, we’re going to completely destroy them!”
This was Rivers’ classic routine; you couldn’t expect him to make any brilliant in-game adjustments, but he was great at giving players psychological massages.
However, this didn’t mean the Celtics’ coaching staff only talked; the key reason they integrated the Big Three was building an effective system around them.
Their defensive system was the most distinctive.
This couldn’t be separated from Rivers’ head assistant coach, Tom Thibodeau, who had served as an assistant coach in the NBA for many years.
While Rivers was yelling, Thibodeau stood silently like a stone. He didn’t point out any defensive issues; in his view, the Celtics hadn’t ramped up yet, and their prized defensive system hadn’t truly been showcased. Until then, nothing needed changing.
In contrast, Grizzlies coach Mark Iavaroni stood in front of the bench with a tactical board full of lines, his brow furrowed.
“We need to control the rebounds and ensure shooting efficiency on offense first!”
Iavaroni only hoped the second unit could buy a few more minutes of rest for the starters.
But against the Celtics’ ironclad defense, this simple wish seemed luxurious. He looked at the gasping starters—especially Xu Ling, who had battled Pierce for most of the quarter—and decided to give him a few more minutes of rest.
“Trevor,” Iavaroni called, “sub for Josh. I need your energy, play good defense, and be ready to shoot.”
Ariza looked up sharply, a long-absent spark in his eyes: “Got it, Coach!”
These were the most crucial four minutes.
Iavaroni’s decision not to sub Xu Ling back early meant the Grizzlies had to rely on their rotation lineup against the Celtics’ starters.
For Ariza, this was another precious opportunity. Since coming to Memphis, he always got these trust moments. As a contract-year fourth-year player, he knew better than anyone how valuable opportunities were—compared to the torment in New York and the uncertainty in Orlando, this might be his last chance to prove himself to the league.
“Eli!” Ariza proactively approached Xu Ling and extended his hand. “I need your strength!”
Xu Ling gave him a high-five and said, “T.A., you don’t need anyone else’s strength.”
Ariza took the Regicide’s words as kind encouragement.
Doesn’t need it?
No, after three dismal seasons, especially those awful years in New York, everyone needed to rebuild confidence.
Though the Celtics had also subbed out several core players, they believed that without Xu Ling on the floor, the Grizzlies were meat on the chopping block.
The second quarter began with the Grizzlies’ possession, controlled by backup point guard Kyle Lowry. He dribbled past half-court and clearly felt the Celtics’ bench lineup—James Posey, Paul Pierce, Leon Powe, Glen Davis, and Rajon Rondo—maintaining the same defensive pressure.
Lowry tried a pick and roll with Darko Milicic, but Davis’ massive frame blocked Milicic’s roll path, while Posey shadowed Ariza like a ghost.
With little time left on the shot clock, Lowry drove aggressively but missed a high-difficulty floater under Posey’s interference. Powe grabbed the rebound.
Celtics offense: Rondo dribbled and directed teammates’ off-ball movement. After simple passing, the ball reached James Posey in the corner.
Posey pump-faked, drawing Lowry’s closeout, then dribbled a step to mid-range and hit a steady jump shot.
29 to 21, lead back to 8 points.
The situation remained unfavorable for the Grizzlies.
At that moment, Xu Ling felt he might be subbed in soon.
Because against strong teams, the bench lineup was always the Grizzlies’ problem; their rotation couldn’t buy him enough rest time.
Fortunately, tonight was different.
Next possession, Lowry was more cautious, calling Ariza over for a handoff.
Ariza received the pass, faced Posey’s defense, didn’t drive himself, but passed back to Lowry and immediately cut to the basket.
It was a simple two-man play, but Ariza’s acceleration was lightning-fast! Lowry read it perfectly with a bounce pass, precisely to Ariza’s path.
Ariza caught it, accelerated, rose fearlessly against help defender Glen Davis with a clear hangtime to avoid the block, then scooped the ball to the rim.
29 to 23
“Great offense! Trevor Ariza!”
When Ariza landed, he glanced at his bench. Xu Ling was off-court, vigorously waving a towel.
This reminded Ariza of his shooting touch from training; tonight seemed like his lucky day. Though the bucket wasn’t a shot, momentum was a magical word in games.
It reflected the team’s state and gave players strong feedback.
Players often knew when they were in top form.
Celtics offense: Pierce tried to power through Ariza, but Ariza anticipated the drive path. As Pierce gathered to jump, Ariza’s long arm struck like a viper, precisely poking the ball.
“Snap!”
Steal!
Ariza secured the ball and immediately pushed the fast break! Like a swift horse charging the frontcourt!
Only Posey recovered in time. Ariza took a long stride inside the free throw line, fully extended, and slammed it home with one hand.
29 to 25
Lead down to 4 points instantly!
The TD Garden’s roar was noticeably subdued by this unexpected steal-to-dunk fast break.
After landing, Ariza let out a rare roar, venting all his pent-up emotions.
Celtics called timeout.
Rivers was furious with the team’s recent performance, especially this overlooked bench player Ariza showing signs of shifting the game.
Unacceptable, so pause the game, break Ariza’s rhythm, and adjust the lineup.
After timeout, Celtics ended their rotation, bringing Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett back.
For the Grizzlies, seeing Ariza hot, Iavaroni kept him in and subbed Kidd and Xu Ling.
Kidd patted Ariza’s back after checking in: “Nice play, Paul Pierce has nothing on you.”
Ariza humbly shook his head: “No, this isn’t my credit. Eli already shredded his defense; I’m just picking up scraps.”
“Don’t say that, T.A.,” Xu Ling laughed. “Good play is good play.”
Ariza grinned and joked lightly: “If you ask me, it might be Dr. Ross’ sandwich working. Maybe he added some special sauce, you know.”
Xu Ling shrugged helplessly.
Seeing Ariza’s excessive humility, Xu Ling wondered what the guy went through in New York. Being coached by Larry Brown and Isiah Thomas in turn seemed to have sanded off all his edges. Despite brilliant play, he habitually credited others, lacking the bravado of youth.
Back to the game, Pierce had adjusted his mindset; no longer fixated on isolating Xu Ling, he used off-ball movement and screens more.
It was a classic pick and roll curl,
Pierce curled off a double screen from the baseline, received Rondo’s pass, and hit a three.
32 to 25.
But the Grizzlies had found rhythm. Kidd controlled possession, keenly spotting a subtle shift in Celtics defense—Ariza’s activity dispersed their wing attention.
Kidd advanced, signaling Xu Ling to the weakside corner.
The positioning drew Pierce and ready-to-help Garnett’s focus.
At that moment, Ariza cut suddenly from the 45-degree angle to the basket.
Kidd’s pass was surgically precise, over defenders, right to Ariza.
Ariza caught and easily laid it in for points!
32 to 27.
“Jason Kidd! He read the defense perfectly! Beautiful assist! Ariza has 6 straight points! He’s the Grizzlies’ secret weapon!”
TD Garden was in an uproar. This obscure player was scoring in the second quarter.
Transition: Pierce tried isolating Ariza, thinking the young player lacked experience. But Ariza used superior athleticism and length to smother him; Pierce’s fadeaway jumper missed again under heavy contest.
Xu Ling grabbed the offensive rebound!
Grizzlies fast break: Xu Ling pushed middle at high speed, drew two defenders, and passed to trailing Ariza.
Ariza caught outside the three-point line with space ahead; a quick adjustment and fearless shot.
Swish!
32 to 30!
Three-pointer, Ariza’s 9 straight, Grizzlies now down just 2!
Totally unplanned!
The Grizzlies’ small forward wasn’t weak; though Josh Howard’s recent isolation efficiency recalled Rudy Gay, his defense was unmatched even by ten Gays.
So Celtics focused on Xu Ling and Howard; it worked in the first, with Howard bricking against their strong-side trap teams. Without Xu Ling’s hot start, it might’ve been a blowout.
Even with Xu Ling’s heroics, Celtics were confident; no one player’s impact, unless LeBron James in Eastern Conference Finals Game 5 vs. Pistons explosive, beats a well-drilled team.
Ariza’s outburst completely disrupted the Celtics.
Celtics called timeout again.
Rivers never dreamed he’d be forced into two timeouts by the Grizzlies’ bench forward.
But as Mike Breen screamed: “Trevor~~~ Ariza!!! He’s tonight’s ‘unexpected gift’ to Boston fans!”
Mark Iavaroni was thrilled; you couldn’t have too many usable forwards, especially this unplanned surprise from Ariza.
Post-timeout, Celtics tightened defense on Ariza—exactly what the Grizzlies wanted.
After fruitless possessions, Grizzlies offense: Kidd and Xu Ling handoff at the top.
Celtics’ defense shifted instantly to Xu Ling.
In that instant, Kidd didn’t hold; he cut quickly to the basket.
Xu Ling read it, beautiful bounce pass through traffic to Kidd, who laid it in easily.
32 to 32
Grizzlies tied it!
Celtics didn’t let it continue.
Garnett powered inside for fouls, hit both free throws.
34 to 32
Xu Ling drove and kicked for assist to Milicic’s mid-range shot.
34-34
Pierce post-up Ariza, spin move to jumper.
36 to 34
Ariza cut again, caught Kidd’s pass for and-one, split free throws.
36 to 35
Game turned into a tug-of-war.
Back-and-forth, score alternated upward.
Ariza’s explosion injected vitality into Grizzlies offense, easing pressure on Xu Ling and Kidd.
Final two minutes of half: Xu Ling vs. Pierce, crossover steps then forced drive, high-diff layup before Garnett’s help.
37 to 36
Grizzlies’ first lead since tip.
Pierce responded but missed mid-range under Xu Ling contest. Garnett offensive rebound, putback.
38 to 37!
Half’s final possession Grizzlies’. Kidd managed clock, attacked with 8 seconds left.
Kidd-Xu Ling pick and roll; Celtics switched, Garnett on Xu Ling instantly.
Against the Wolf King’s tight defense, Xu Ling passed back to Kidd, flared to three-point line.
Kidd pump-drove to draw defense, bounce pass back.
Xu Ling caught at left 45 degrees, 2 seconds left!
Xu Ling rose over Pierce’s desperate closeout for the three, perfect follow-through in air.
As the ball arced high and swished through net crisply, second-quarter buzzer lit up.
“Swish!!!”
The ethereal net sound boomed like thunder in nearly 20,000 TD Garden fans’ ears.
At the make, Xu Ling showed no joy, just bored calm, leaning toward distorted Pierce: “Guess we should thank you,”
“What?!” Pierce snapped coldly.
Xu Ling gave Pierce the “truth” he craved: “If you hadn’t defended so well, Trevor and I wouldn’t have it this easy tonight.”
“Don’t think half a good game means you won, fucker!”
“Friendly reminder,” Xu Ling said. “Thanks to your defense, I got 13 on you in the half. Same for your defense, Trevor got 10 in the second. Great defense—keep it up.”
