Victory Only After Crossing Link

Damian Lillard brought the ball beyond the three-point line, quickly feinting with his upper body in an attempt to fool Conley.

But Conley had, after all, been named to the All-Defensive Second Team last season. Making that team without an overwhelming physical advantage was proof enough of Conley's defensive savvy.

Lillard accelerated into a drive, only to be met squarely by Conley. On the sideline, Trail Blazers head coach Terry Stotts nervously rose to his feet. Was it all over?

No!

The instant Lillard made body contact with Conley, he swiftly spun around him, using Conley as his pivot!

No one knew how Lillard had adjusted so quickly, nor did anyone know whether he had planned it all along or whether his killer instinct had simply taken over.

In that instant, Lillard spun past Conley and charged straight toward the basket!

Terry Stotts raised his fist in advance, ready to celebrate that beautiful, crucial bucket!

There were only 36 seconds left in the game, and the Trail Blazers trailed the Grizzlies by six on the road.

If Lillard made this shot, the Trail Blazers would still have a chance. If this possession failed, then victory would basically be out of their reach.

And whether the Trail Blazers could win today would directly affect league history!

From the start of March through today, March 19, more than half a month had passed, and the Grizzlies had yet to lose a game!

Link had kept his word once again. He had said on Hill and Rachel's show that the Grizzlies would claim both 72 wins and the championship, and so the Grizzlies had put together another ten-game winning streak since March began! After defeating the Cavaliers and Wizards, the Grizzlies had then beaten the Nets, Bulls, Charlotte Bobcats, Pelicans, Raptors, Philadelphia 76ers,