Reborn in 96, I started by taking charge of the Dallas Mavericks.

Halftime, in the Grizzlies' locker room.

Kidd angrily threw down his towel and roared, "It's one thing to lose to the Mavericks' starters, but to lose to their bench is even worse. What's the point of playing? Just admit defeat already!"

When he was first traded to the Grizzlies, Kidd was overjoyed, thinking that he could finally be the team's leader.

But as the season progressed, Kidd realized he was wrong, and very wrong.

The Grizzlies' players are truly unmanageable, and not only that, the Grizzlies' coach is also of limited ability; he doesn't even understand things as well as the Grizzlies.

At this point, he had already decided to apply for a trade.

The Grizzlies' head coach glanced at Kidd but didn't say anything, since Kidd was telling the truth.

"You, Kidd, will be in charge of the second half."

After saying that, he walked out of the locker room.

He was well aware that, given the Grizzlies' current record, he would probably have to pack his bags and leave after this season.

Meanwhile, inside the Mavericks' locker room.

The Mavericks players were chatting and laughing, and even Bzdelik, who rarely joked with the others, joined in.

"Kobe probably won't get a chance to play in the second half either!"

Chen Fang smiled, not wanting to disrupt the atmosphere in the locker room.

In today's game, Kobe and other key players certainly got plenty of rest.

However, the substitutes played almost two quarters of the game.

This will be a huge test of their physical fitness. If they continue to rely mainly on substitute players in the second half, their stamina may not be able to hold up until the final quarter.

An excellent head coach not only needs to formulate tactics based on the situation on the field, but also needs to make reasonable personnel substitutions based on the situation on the field.

Clearly, Buzdelik is still a long way from becoming an excellent head coach.

……

The 15-minute halftime break ended quickly.

The second half of the game continues.

I wonder if Kidd's outburst in the locker room had any effect.

The Grizzlies showed a completely different look in the third quarter.

Under Kidd's orchestration, they relentlessly attacked the Mavericks' interior defense.

At this point, the Mavericks' bench players' lack of stamina became apparent.

Big Z is completely unable to keep up with the Grizzlies players, and he is repeatedly penetrated and scored on inside.

Although Peja also scored repeatedly on offense, the gap between the two sides was gradually closed.

In the third quarter, the score went back and forth between the two teams, with neither able to gain the upper hand.

Thus, the score was tied at 83 at the end of the third quarter.

At the start of the fourth quarter, the Grizzlies fielded their strongest lineup, hoping to seize the opportunity and win the game in one fell swoop.

In contrast, the Mavericks continue to rely primarily on their bench players.

However, Coach Bruhn made a few changes.

That is, replacing the physically exhausted Zydrunas Ilgauskas with Rashid Wallace.

As soon as Roaring Celestial entered the game, the Mavericks' interior defense immediately improved.

It won't be as easy for the Grizzlies to attack the paint like they did in the third quarter.

If the inside game isn't working, then attack from the outside.

The Grizzlies are on offense, with Kidd and Levi's setting a pick-and-roll.

After the ball was separated, Kidd continued to walk towards the inside, but this time he did not pass the ball to Levi's who was cutting down, but instead passed the ball to Greg Anthony on the outside.

Greg Anthony received a pass from Kidd beyond the three-point line and shot.

"Shh!"

Three point hit!

The Grizzlies have overtaken the Mavericks.

Throughout the fourth quarter, both sides engaged in a fierce offensive battle.

But unlike the first three quarters, the team in the lead has changed from the Mavericks to the Grizzlies.

If this continues, the Mavericks will suffer another loss, turning their three-game losing streak into a four-game losing streak.

"Old Bu, call a timeout!"

Chen Fang glanced at the score on the field and finally couldn't sit still any longer.

Upon hearing Chen Fang's instruction, Buzdelik hurriedly stood up and called a pause.

The game is suspended.

Coach Bu made adjustments to the lineup on the field and strengthened the defense.

After the timeout, the Mavericks' defense did indeed improve.

There are 2 minutes and 12 seconds left in the final quarter.

Kidd dribbles the ball and attacks, Bruce Bowen moves up to defend.

At this time, Bruce Bowen's individual defensive ability was not strong, but Kidd's individual offensive ability was also average.

No, Kidd's offensive ability was only so-so throughout his career.

Therefore, Coach Bowen's defensive strategy for Bruce Bowen was to allow him to shoot but not drive.

Bruce Bowen created an opening for Kidd, who then drove into the paint.

However, with Rasheed Wallace anchoring the Mavericks' interior, Kidd found himself with no chance to shoot after penetrating the paint, and his passing lanes were blocked.

Left with no other option, Kidd had to circle out from the inside again.

At this point, the 24-second shot clock was almost up.

Kidd had no choice but to do it himself.

"Bang!"

As expected, Kidd's hasty shot missed.

On the other hand, Rasheed Wallace scored 2 points with a strong drive inside.

96:95

The Mavericks are still down by 1 point!

The Grizzlies continued their offense, with Kidd still controlling the ball.

Facing Bowen's defense, Kidd suddenly stopped and started, using his rhythm to shake off Bowen, and then shot an arrow from horseback and hit the target.

The Grizzlies regained a 3-point lead.

With the game time running out and the score trailing by 3 points, Bzdelik made a bold move and substituted Kobe into the game.

Kobe, who had been on the bench for almost a game, returned to the court.

As soon as he entered the game, Kobe hit a three-pointer on offense, tying the score.

Possession changed, and the Grizzlies launched a counterattack.

Although the score was tied, Kidd was not in a hurry.

Instead, they stabilized their pace. In situations like this, whoever gets anxious first is more likely to make mistakes. Only by achieving a high success rate can one win the final game.

Kidd has the ball on the perimeter and calls for a screen from Levi's.

Levi's dribble drew Rasheed Wallace's defense, at which point Kidd spotted Charles Smith cutting to the basket out of the corner of his eye, and then delivered a no-look pass to Smith.

Smith drove to the basket and scored with a reverse layup.

101:99

The Grizzlies have regained a two-point lead.

"Wonderful, really wonderful."

"Who would have thought that the game between the Mavericks and the Grizzlies would go down to the wire?"

"Although the Mavericks' starters didn't play much in this game, a closely contested game is more exciting than a one-sided one."

The commentators in the commentary booth commented.

After the Grizzlies scored, they immediately retreated on defense.

To win this game, they must defend against this shot.

The Mavericks are on offense.

In such a crucial moment, Kobe naturally had to step up and take over the game.

Kobe received a pass from his teammate in the low post and began a back-to-the-basket move.

The other Mavericks players moved to the other side, leaving Kobe with plenty of space on the court.

When Kidd saw Kobe preparing for a one-on-one attack, he immediately abandoned his own defender and double-teamed Kobe.

Double-teaming Kobe is no challenge for him now.

Kobe faced the two defenders head-on, turned around, and launched a fadeaway jump shot.

"Shh!"

In crucial moments, Kobe showed no mercy!

Goal! 2 points.

However, the Mavericks are still down by one point to the Grizzlies.

For the Mavericks to win this game, they must defend against the Grizzlies' next offensive possession and then score another basket.

They only had 40 seconds left.