Derrick Rose's double-clutch layup caught the Clippers off guard. Before Lou Williams could even get going, Rose had already dealt the Clippers an opening blow.
The fans at FedExForum all rose to their feet. Rose's drive just now had looked like a return to his prime.
In fact, Rose had maintained solid form over the past two years. Calling it a return to his peak would have been an exaggeration, but he was undoubtedly still an excellent player.
It was just that, like now, people did not pay much attention to that withered rose. As a result, few people remembered Rose's strong performances.
Link stood on the sideline, covered in goosebumps.
Rose had been in tremendous physical condition lately, something he had already shown in practice, and everyone on the Grizzlies knew it.
The fans in the arena and the Clippers simply did not know yet.
Though Rose had scored first, Doc Rivers was not discouraged. He did not believe the current Rose could match Lou Williams in offensive firepower.
In Rivers's mind, Lou Williams was someone who could be used as the offensive centerpiece.
Leonard's tactical status on the Clippers was unquestionably higher than Lou Williams's. But at certain moments, Rivers trusted Lou Williams more—like now.
At this point, Rivers had Leonard on the floor not to break down the defense, but to help Lou Williams defend and space the floor.
That way, even if Leonard did not exert himself on offense, the Clippers could still score.
Lou Williams's offense was indeed sharp. After using Harrell's screen, he floated one over Jokic with ease.
Jokic feared ball-handling guards like this the most. He simply could not keep up with them, nor could he block their shots.
Seeing Lou Williams score so easily, Rivers felt even more at ease.
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