With the third quarter over, Grizzlies fans were beginning to feel nervous.
This was perhaps the most dangerous situation the Grizzlies had faced heading into the fourth quarter throughout this postseason.
In the previous two rounds, the Grizzlies had won in dominant fashion. In several games, the outcome had practically been decided by the end of the third quarter.
Even against the Warriors in the Western Conference Finals, in the one game the Grizzlies lost, they had only fallen behind during a few crucial possessions at the very end.
But today, after the third quarter, everyone knew that the Grizzlies' situation was far worse than the five-point deficit suggested on the surface.
Everyone had seen the fatigue Link showed late in the third quarter. It was hard to imagine what he would do in the grueling fourth quarter.
If Link lost, Memphis lost!
"LeBron has already put up 33 points, while Link has 30. Scoring 30-plus points through three quarters in the Finals is no easy feat. But unfortunately, we have no idea whether Link can continue to perform efficiently in the fourth quarter. Clearly, Link's efficiency is declining along with his stamina."
Mike Breen looked over both teams' numbers from today. The two stars had gone all out from the opening tip, and both the game itself and the stats had been spectacular.
But this was destined to be a battle of endurance. It did not matter how exciting the first three quarters had been—the key was whether they could hold on down the stretch.
And that was precisely the biggest problem facing the Grizzlies and Link right now.
"He's done. I'm staying in and pressing the advantage," James said from the Cavaliers' bench, rejecting David Blatt's suggestion that he rest for a few minutes to begin the fourth