The first day of the 2016-17 playoffs featured four incredibly close games.
The players certainly did not want to have such a tough time in the first round, but for the fans, it was a tremendous treat.
The regular season was over—who still wanted to watch those petty little games?
Close, suspense-filled games were exactly what fans wanted to see most.
With the four thrilling games from opening day setting the stage, people became even more interested in the Grizzlies-Trail Blazers matchup.
Last season, the Trail Blazers and the Grizzlies had already battled fiercely. Although the Trail Blazers were only eighth in the West this season, that was because injuries had hit them during the latter half of the season.
In terms of pure strength, the Trail Blazers were absolutely better than an eighth-place Western Conference team.
When Link said the Trail Blazers were one of the strongest eighth seeds in Western Conference history, he was not just being polite.
On the morning before the game, many fans and experts predicted the outcome.
Most of them believed the final margin would be within ten points.
In other words, they all expected a close game!
Before that night's game, a reporter asked Link about that statistic during an interview.
Link, however, was not particularly interested. "I don't like predicting results before a game, and there's no way I can accurately tell you exactly what the margin will be. So forget about that question and just enjoy the game."
Link waved his hand, which was essentially the same as answering nothing.
On the other side, Lillard strongly agreed with that prediction.
"Without a doubt, this will be a real battle. We'll give it everything we have. Being the eighth seed in the West doesn't necessarily mean we're here just to make up