Sacrifice.

"51 Points in Playoffs: Han Surpasses LBJ and KD"

After Game 1, Khalil published a striking article on TNT that generated significant buzz. 

Not only did this article earn Han Sen a massive amount of hater points, but his social media was also flooded with criticism, even with Durant joining in. 

Fans, including many anonymous accounts—some that Han Sen had never even seen before—came at him en masse, filling his feed with comments, many posted in the middle of the night.

It all started when Han Sen connected with Scarlett. Durant then blocked him entirely and continued to add fuel to the fire whenever their teams faced off, intensifying Han's hater points.

But this was no longer just about Scarlett; it had become a matter of pride.

Imagine you admire a celebrity, unaware if she's dating anyone, and then suddenly you learn that a co-worker has won her over.

It's crushing! Durant, being a sensitive type, took it particularly hard.

Khalil's article mainly targeted LeBron, with whom Han Sen's rivalry had become public, but Durant, with a smaller fanbase, was also mentioned in passing.

The outcome of the article greatly intensified the tension between Han Sen and Durant. If the two were to meet in the playoffs, it would surely be a fierce showdown. 

Of course, that's looking ahead, as such a meeting would only be possible in the conference finals.

...

Two days later, the Grizzlies hosted the Mavericks for Game 2.

This time, Carlisle implemented a highly focused strategy to deny Han any shots or easy ball access.

In a way, Han Sen was experiencing the 'Jordan Rules' treatment, forcing the other four Grizzlies to step up if they wanted to win.

Carlisle's strategy was spot on. The Grizzlies struggled, especially as Randolph couldn't overpower Chandler, leaving the team without a reliable offensive anchor.

By halftime, the Grizzlies trailed 52-44, flipping the dynamic of Game 1.

This Mavericks team was vastly different from the 2007 Heat.

Made up mainly of veterans, they had neither lost their hunger after winning the title, nor were there the usual conflicts over playing time, contracts, or status.

This resilience wasn't just due to the players but was shaped by their environment.

Without the Lakers as a looming threat, Cuban's decision to keep the roster intact might not have had the same effect.

But with the Lakers' presence, Cuban's choice appeared bold, giving the Mavericks additional motivation to compete.

After all, if the owner showed such commitment, the players had every reason to give it their all again.

Their offseason moves were equally noteworthy, like letting go of Butler who had clashed with Marion, and bringing in Carter to maintain a competitive atmosphere within the team

At halftime, Joerger tried motivating the team with a tactical pep talk, but it wasn't as effective as he hoped. He even muttered, "If only Lionel were still here."

Being close to Hollins, he felt the former coach might know how to handle such tense moments better, since Hollins had championship experience as a player.

...

When the door finally closed behind the coach, Han took a deep breath, looked around at his teammates, and stood up.

"Guys," he began, drawing everyone's attention, "do you know why I didn't shoot more during the regular season?"

The players looked at each other, surprised—this wasn't something he'd ever talked about.

Han continued, "Back in Cleveland, I learned that taking all the shots, putting up big numbers—that's just personal glory. It doesn't win games."

A murmur went through the room, but Han kept going.

"Look, you can't expect a guy to come out swinging in the playoffs if he hasn't had touches, no rhythm, no role all season. We're not machines. We need those reps to stay sharp."

Now, the room was silent, everyone locked in. For the first time, guys like Gay and Gasol were seeing what Han's sacrifices had really been about.

They'd noticed his unselfish play before, but now they understood the bigger picture.

"Look where it got us," Han said, nodding. "We finished the season as the best team. So we don't need anyone to tell us how to win.

We've just gotta keep doing what we know we can do, and we'll walk out of here with a W."

Gasol clenched his fists and gave a nod, while Gay broke into a grin. The energy in the room shifted as Han's words sank in.

They didn't need 'championship DNA.' After all, the Mavericks didn't have it last season. They just needed to believe in themselves.

...

As the second half started, the Mavericks continued their defensive focus on Han.

But on the very first possession, Gasol beat Nowitzki in the low post, drew a foul on Chandler while going for the basket, and made the play.

Han then blocked a layup by Nowitzki on defense, and Conley drained a three-pointer off a Gasol pass.

The Grizzlies opened the half with a 5-0 run.

The Mavericks began to falter. Their defensive rotations left gaps that the Grizzlies exploited, steadily narrowing the lead.

Carlisle noticed the shift, but by the time he called a timeout, it was already too late—the Grizzlies had surged ahead.

Both commentators and coaches were amazed. The same players were on the floor, yet their confidence and decisiveness had transformed the game.

Carlisle's focus on Han created openings for others, since the team had developed an over-reliance on him in Game 1, almost believing they couldn't score without him.

But now, by passing quickly and shooting confidently, the Grizzlies' offense flowed smoothly.

By the end of the third quarter, the commentators finally saw the key: the Grizzlies were playing with confidence, capitalizing on Carlisle's defense against Han.

Ultimately, Han's willingness to share the ball and make sacrifices was the true catalyst for their cohesive play.

Carlisle realized his mistake in the fourth quarter but couldn't stop the Grizzlies.

The Grizzlies had five players in double figures, while only Nowitzki and Terry managed it for the Mavericks.

The Grizzlies scored 56 points in the second half to the Mavericks' 42, securing a 100-94 victory and a 2-0 series lead.

Han's words from the press conference afterward were modest, "We don't need any one player to score big; we're a team."

Back in the locker room, Han was ambushed with champagne, celebrating their reversal of fortunes with the teammates he trusted.

With arms wide, Han embraced the celebration. To him, they didn't need 'championship DNA'—they had their own winning identity.

...

In Game 3, the Mavericks fought hard at home.

Han scored a clutch shot over Marion, but Nowitzki hit a high-arcing three-pointer to win the game, cutting the Grizzlies' series lead to 2-1.

But even after the close loss, the Grizzlies weren't fazed, having found their winning formula.

In Game 4, the Grizzlies dominated, wrapping up the game in three quarters and securing a comfortable victory for a 3-1 series lead. 

Heading back to Dallas, Nowitzki made a public vow to fight on, but it seemed hollow against the backdrop of a near-certain elimination.

Dallas had considered deliberately dropping to the sixth seed to avoid Memphis' tougher, team-oriented style, but circumstances hadn't allowed it.

The Mavericks had lost a mental edge by even considering such a move.

In Game 5, despite a fierce start led by Nowitzki, Han found his rhythm again, scoring 40 points and leading the Grizzlies to a narrow 101-98 win, ending the series 4-1.

As the final buzzer sounded, Nowitzki hugged Han, his red-rimmed eyes showing how much he had wanted to defend the title. Yet he congratulated Han and the Grizzlies, recognizing they deserved the victory.

The FedExForum erupted as Memphis fans celebrated. Gay, barely containing his excitement, nearly climbed into Han's arms.

The Grizzlies had learned so much in this series.

They now had what they needed to face the next, seemingly invincible opponent.