Link drilled a three-pointer, sending a jolt through everyone in the arena.
While people were still wondering whether Link could perform at his usual level with a high fever, he answered them all with that three.
Indeed, Link did not look as explosive as usual. Entangled by Carroll, he seemed to struggle with every step.
Without Jokic's off-ball screen, it was hard to say whether he could even have shaken Carroll free.
But Link's vast offensive arsenal gave him countless ways to put the ball in the basket without having to battle his opponent head-on.
Now, everyone's hearts were in their throats.
A 15-point deficit was nothing in front of Link.
Hadn't he just led the team to a 16-point comeback against the Warriors not long ago?
Seeing Link score right out of the gate, Lowry's brow furrowed even deeper.
He would not let the efforts he and DeRozan had put in over an entire half go to waste just because Link had suddenly emerged!
The Trash Brothers' firepower would be even fiercer than it had been in the first half.
Lowry brought the ball beyond the three-point line, and Carroll immediately curled out with his hand raised, calling for it.
He had already felt how weak Link's physical resistance was today, so he was confident that he could gain the upper hand on offense!
Carroll was already a very strong player. If he could bulldoze Link all the way to the basket, he believed his finishing percentage would be extremely high.
Lowry passed the ball to Carroll as Valanciunas came over to set a screen.
The Raptors' two big men, Valanciunas and Patterson, could both stretch the floor. Valanciunas had an excellent mid-range shot and could occasionally hit threes as well.
Patterson, meanwhile, had always been a floor-spacing power