This kind of showdown between superstars is naturally the most talked about among fans.
The fans at the Toyota Center stood up spontaneously and started making waves:
"Defense!!!"
"Defense!!!"
"Defense!!!"
...
Amid the deafening sound, Nowitzki moved!
Due to the difference in body size between the two, he chose the safest and best method - hitting from behind.
After several attempts, Nowitzki successfully reached the elbow area.
McGrady knew that his strength was not comparable to that of his opponent, so he did not defend with all his strength. Instead, he retreated while observing the opponent's movements.
Nowitzki has entered the shooting range at this time and can take action at any time.
But he also knew that if he took action rashly, with McGrady's jumping ability, he might be blocked.
After all, although today's t-mac focuses more on the offensive end, he actually started out as a defensive leader.
When he was still a rookie in Toronto, McGrady averaged 1.1 steals and 1.3 blocks per game, showing his defensive ability.
But now, if McGrady wants to defend, he can still play defense at the defensive level in certain rounds!
Others may not be aware of this, but Nowitzki, an old rival of the Rockets, knows it clearly.
To be on the safe side, even though he was fighting a big one, he still made enough false moves of shaking his shoulders, and then he turned over and threw his hand...
However, Nowitzki still underestimated McGrady's physical fitness.
Although the latter was shaken half a step away, he quickly returned to the defensive position with his super explosive power, and jumped high before the driver took action...
"Snapped!"
McGrady's big hand pressed hard on the basketball, and the ball flew away with one palm.
Moreover, because Nowitzki shot backward, he was hit by the force from T-MAC after taking off. After landing, he lost his balance and staggered backwards.
"Bang..."
King Nuotian fell to the ground in embarrassment and almost turned over.
"wow!!!"
"T-mac! You are my god!"
"When Ye Qing comes back, I finally see him throw himself into trouble again..."
The fans at the scene were shocked by McGrady's wonderful defense and cheered wildly.
Amid the cheers of the audience, McGrady took control of the ball and launched a counterattack.
At this time, Marion and Kidd had quickly retreated and stood in front of T-Mac.
Faced with an opponent who was like "two ghosts knocking on the door", McGrady had an idea in a flash of lightning.
I saw him suddenly collect the ball while running, and then threw the ball towards the backboard.
Kidd and Marion's eyes were attracted by the basketball, and they subconsciously looked in the direction of the basket.
But the next moment, the two of them immediately realized that this was one of McGrady's signature moves - the self-throwing and self-closing starting move!
Kidd is old and can only stay in place.
Marion moved laterally at the first opportunity, trying to block McGrady's path to catch the ball.
But...t-mac's explosive power once again exceeded his imagination.
I saw McGrady kicking the ground hard, and like an arrow from the string, he suddenly rushed to the front of Marion!
This is the first time t-mac has sprinted with all his strength since he regained health.
The speed was so fast that Shen Fei in the box was shocked and sighed in his heart: "The fastest first step in the alliance is so terrifying!"
Then, with the whole audience watching, McGrady jumped high and caught the rebounding basketball in the air.
"bang!"
A powerful and heavy two-handed blow to the basket sent the fans at the scene into madness again.
It is worth mentioning that although t-mac jumps very high, his elegant movements give people the feeling that "he seems to be very relaxed".
Coupled with his slender figure, slender calves, and the Rockets' white jersey...
When every Chinese fan sees this scene, they will think of McGrady’s nickname - White Horse and Spear, Basketball Poet!
If he were a little more formal, he would also say "I want to reach the sky to catch the bright moon" to describe Tracy McGrady's dunk just now.
As soon as this goal was scored, in addition to helping the team continue to expand the score, it also made the morale of the Rockets generals rise rapidly!
The reason is simple. McGrady's dunk was completed over the Mavericks' two best perimeter defenders, Kidd and Marion!
This is equivalent to the fact that the opponent's strongest shield has been pierced by our spear.
On the other hand, on the Mavericks' side, Marion came to the baseline and slammed the ball to the ground.
Obviously, this round just made him very frustrated.
Counting the previous pull-up three-pointer, McGrady has scored 5 consecutive points on him!
The other Mavericks players were also in a low mood.
Take Nowitzki for example. He has been defended twice in this quarter!
This situation is very rare this season.
The fluctuations in morale also directly affect the game.
In the next few minutes, the Rockets pursued the victory and continued to expand their score advantage.
When the red light on the timer came on, the first quarter ended, the score between the two teams was fixed at 35:25, and the Rockets took a double-digit lead.
............
Mavericks bench.
Head coach Carlisle is carefully arranging tactics.
As a coach known for his strict discipline, he doesn't like to give his players blood.
The current situation is that the team is completely suppressed by its opponents.
But Carlisle was not in a hurry and continued to make adjustments step by step.
"Peja (Stojakovic), after you come on the court, you must take decisive action whenever you have the opportunity to help the team open up space."
"Dirk (Nowitzki), don't worry. I've observed that there are no players in the Rockets who can specifically restrict you. You just need to be patient."
"Whether it's Tracy McGrady or Tucker, it's hard to continue to have an impact on you."
...
Carlisle informed everyone of their next tasks in detail.
At the end, he added: "The opponent is currently the league's top team, but they are not without weaknesses. As long as we do the details well, let the ball fully operate, and play basketball that belongs to the Dallas Mavericks, we will
Those who have the strength to defeat them."
Seeing the head coach's firm and calm eyes, the Mavericks players gradually came out of their depression.
When the second quarter started, the players had regained their confidence and planned to have a big fight!