The Dangerous Old General

Green and Link refused to give an inch from the opening tip, each delivering a huge block.

Of course, Link's block had been the more difficult one.

Most blocks happened in the paint; blocking a jump shot outright was an extremely difficult thing to do.

Especially against an elite three-point shooter like Curry.

Like Paul, Curry was among the players in the league with the lowest rates of being blocked.

But Link had always done the difficult things. Others could not block Curry, yet he somehow could.

This time, Green could not talk his way out of the crisis. Every possession of his matchup with Link would be a battle.

Right from the start, both teams had taken a block. But they were both elite teams in the league, and neither lost its offensive rhythm just because it had been blocked early on.

After the first exchange, both sides had adjusted their mindsets, and the game began to unfold in the direction everyone expected.

Both teams played to their greatest strengths after the game began. The Grizzlies, with their powerful interior attack, dominated the paint, while Link and Gasol Jr. combined for 12 points to start the game.

The Warriors, deadly accurate from outside, also kept knocking down shots. Curry and Klay Thompson combined for 9 points, helping the Warriors stay right on the Grizzlies' heels on the road.

If Link had not blocked Curry right at the start, the Warriors would probably have had 12 points by now as well.

Of course, Curry's shots were no longer as casual as they had been in previous games. After all, getting blocked by Link came with the risk of losing hair.

Draymond Green did not contribute much in the scoring department, but he showed his value on the defensive end.

His