Danny Green seemed to have anticipated Harden's move, and suddenly raised his hands at the last moment.
This was really beyond Brother Deng’s expectation.
He didn't react in time, and the basketball was pulled out of his hand and flew into the air.
Harden immediately jumped up, trying to regain control of the ball.
But Yi Jianlian on the side reacted quickly, jumped up, and intercepted the ball first!
Ah Lian handed the ball to Shuhao, and then accelerated towards the Thunder half court and ran to the left corner.
Brother Hao rushed all the way to the Thunder's hinterland, but when he was approaching the penalty area, he flicked his wrist and gave the ball to Yi Jianlian.
After receiving the ball, Ah Lian opened his bow and nocked an arrow, and took action decisively.
The basketball left his fingertips and spun at high speed, drawing a beautiful arc in the air...
"Shua~"
Hollow into the net!
38:20, the Rockets' lead is already 20 points!
In the stands, Shen Fei looked calm and watched the game calmly.
"The Thunder's defense collapsed today. Before the first quarter was over, we almost scored 40 points."
Sun Yue on the side sighed.
"The Thunder couldn't guard us. They lost the last game, mainly because we couldn't guard them either."
"Actually, the Thunder don't have many methods for positional warfare. They basically have two methods - star players playing in isolation and stars playing pick-and-rolls."
"Today our defensive intensity has increased. The Thunder have no fast break opportunities, so naturally they will score less."
"Moreover, their offensive efficiency has dropped, but we have more opportunities to counterattack, and the points naturally increase very quickly."
Shen Fei talked eloquently.
Sun Yue nodded thoughtfully, and then continued: "Boss, how do I feel that Westbrook and Harden were completely restricted today... It seems that only Durant performed normally, but George guarded hard at night, kd The efficiency has also declined.”
"The Thunder are still too young. Although the core players are highly talented, their shortcomings are also obvious."
"Westbrook's shooting ability is insufficient. Once the defensive player lets him shoot, he will feel uncomfortable."
"Although Harden is comprehensive, he still lacks stable scoring methods. He is very skilled in drawing fouls, but it is impossible to win in the playoffs with this technique."
Shen Fei shook his head and said.
Each of the Thunder's three young men is an MVP-level player.
But now, they are still in their "infancy", and it is normal to have shortcomings in technology.
After hearing this, Sun Yue nodded repeatedly: "However, the substitute defended so well tonight, I think it has a lot to do with the Arab League. His contribution on the defensive end tonight was too great!"
"If the UAE continues to play like this, the Rockets' starting power forward will have to be replaced next year."
Shen Fei said lightly.
"Hmm... excellent defense, can protect rebounds, and can shoot three-pointers offensively to help teammates open up space..."
"A-Lian is simply perfect 3D!"
Sun Yue looked at the game data on his phone and sighed.
In the next few minutes of playing, Yi Jianlian had already grabbed 5 rebounds!
In addition, he also contributed a three-pointer, 1 steal and 1 block.
This is a totally dominant performance!
Time comes to the last minute of the first quarter.
Harden carried the ball through half the court and came to the top of the arc to organize.
Through the pick-and-roll, he changed the defender to Yi Jianlian.
Yes, even though Alian performed so well previously, the Thunder still regarded him as the weakest link on the Rockets' defensive end.
Yi Jianlian lowered his center of gravity, opened his arms, and assumed a standard defensive posture.
Harden, as usual, started dribbling with his hips.
His dribbling is very rhythmic, and the shoulder swaying movement accompanying each time he changes hands to dribble is extremely confusing.
But the strange thing is that no matter how Harden shakes, Yi Jianlian can stay in the defensive position.
At this time, Harden was also relatively young and easily irritable.
After shaking several times without success, he lost patience and accelerated directly, trying to use his speed to beat Yi Jianlian.
But Ah Lian moved quickly, following Harden's side like a shadow.
When the latter took three steps and shot for a layup, Yi Jianlian jumped high and fanned the ball out of the baseline.
"woo..."
The Thunder fans at the scene couldn't help but exclaimed.
Yi Jianlian, despite being about 2.1 meters tall, can actually keep up with Harden!
[Although Harden is not a defender known for his speed, his explosive power is considered to be among the best in the league!]
This thought ran through the minds of many Thunder fans.
But this is the fact. Yi Jianlian not only kept up with Harden, but also treated the latter to a hot hot pot!
Harden helplessly spread his hands after being blocked, and then came to the baseline to serve.
Perhaps because his mentality was affected, Brother Deng's passing was a little careless.
The floaty and slow pass was seen through by Ben Wallace and intercepted directly in the air.
The Rockets launched a counterattack!
During the fast break, Shuhao passed the ball to Roy with a no-look-pass.
Huang Mamba rushed to the penalty area with the ball and took off with both feet facing Ibaka's defense.
In the air, Roy showed strong core strength. He drew in his abdomen to avoid Ibaka's block, then changed the ball from his right hand to his left hand and hit a layup!
40:20.
The score difference came to 20 points.
In the next few dozen seconds, both sides' attacks failed to hit, and the score was temporarily fixed at 40:20.
............
Intersection break, Thunder bench.
The players looked serious and remained silent.
The ambitions before the game seemed to have been shattered by the Rockets' ferocious offensive after the game...
"Kids, we've just finished the first quarter, don't act like you've already lost the game!"
Brooks yelled.
But his roar didn't seem to have much effect, and the players still bowed their heads and remained silent.
At this moment, Kevin Durant stood up and spoke first: "I will play at the beginning of the second quarter to see if I can get some points back."
His tone was calm and there was no impassioned speech.
But as soon as these words came out, the Thunder players seemed to feel Durant's attitude and raised their heads one after another.
Westbrook was the first to react, raising his hand to indicate that he also wanted to play.
Harden also said: "I got a little carried away in the first quarter and didn't play well. It's my problem."
When Brooks saw that everyone had regained their fighting spirit, he couldn't help but raise the corners of his mouth slightly, and looked at Durant with growing admiration.
KD is not a leader like Kobe who "grinds his steel teeth" and pulls his teammates forward.
But he has his own leadership skills. He prefers to do his own thing quietly and carry the team on his shoulders, but he has no requirements for his teammates.
But his teammates felt at ease because of Durant and were willing to fight for him.
"Okay, then let's work hard next, play a small lineup, and push the rhythm!"
"Serge, can you still hold on?"
Brooks looked at Ibaka and asked.
This young Congolese power forward is already an indispensable player for the Thunder.
Especially when the team wants to play a small lineup, Ibaka is definitely the best choice for the center position.
But the current situation is that Ibaka played the entire first quarter without resting for a second!
"I have no problem coaching, I can play the whole game."
Ibaka said seriously.
"Okay! Then you can continue to play in the second quarter, but if your physical fitness cannot support it, you must tell me as soon as possible."
Brooks said with a smile.
He personally is very optimistic about Ibaka and feels that this young man is extremely talented and outstanding.
Coupled with Ibaka's spirit and sense of responsibility...
Brooks even dared to guarantee that as long as he is not seriously injured, Ibaka's future is unlimited!
"Come, let's cheer each other up."
Westbrook stood up and walked to the middle of the bench.
Everyone responded one after another and folded their hands together:
"one.two.three!"
"go. thunders!!!!"
............
Unlike the Thunder, which was in full swing, the Rockets bench was calm at this time.
For those who didn’t know, I thought they were the ones lagging behind by a big score.
But McGrady, who played the best in the first quarter, still looked sleepy.
In this game, he entered the offensive mode very early, and so far, the effect is very good.
Moreover, t-mac's defense against Westbrook was also very successful.
In this first quarter, Westbrook only scored once in a sports game, which was extremely inefficient.
"Those suggestions the boss mentioned are really effective! I think the Thunder were dumbfounded at first. Westbrook was covered by Tracy, and half of his offensive methods were completely useless!"
Lori said excitedly.
"Yes, and this also reduces the defensive pressure on Stephen a lot. This kid is much more active on the offensive end today than in the last game."
Tony Allen looked at Curry and said with a smile.
Curry scratched his head sheepishly.
After facing off against Westbrook in the first two games, he has made up his mind to strengthen his defense in the offseason.
Not to mention becoming a defensive leader, at least not becoming a target for opponents.
"Everyone played well in the first quarter, but the game is far from over, so we must not relax."
"The policy for the next competition remains unchanged, just pay attention to maintaining intensity."
Mark Jackson reminded.
The Rockets generals nodded after hearing this.
............
Soon, the timeout ended and the players returned to the field.
At the beginning of the second quarter, both sides changed sides.
The Thunder fielded a small lineup: Westbrook, Cook, Harden, Durant, and Ibaka.
The Rockets put on the "ultimate basketball" lineup: McGrady, George, Danny Green, Tucker, and Ben.
After seeing the formations of both sides, the two CCTV commentators began to analyze it.
“Both sides invariably sent out small lineups, and now the 10 people on the field are basically over two meters tall.
"Coach Yang, do you think this lineup configuration will be the prototype of future basketball?"
Yu Jia asked.
"The concept of teaming up with five forwards of about two meters tall was actually proposed by the Heat's general manager, Pat Riley, who is nicknamed the Magic Tally."
"This theory is very interesting. Although the five forwards do not have absolute speed or height, each attribute is very balanced."
"They are highly mobile and not weak in strength. They can change defenses infinitely on the defensive end, and their counterattacks are also very scary."
"But what I want to know is, once the opponent has a giant player like O'Neal, how can a small lineup defend?"
Yang Yi analyzed it for a long time and then threw the question back.
"If there is a small center like Ben on the inside, it seems possible to defend him, but he will definitely need to rely on the strength of his teammates."
Yu Jia thought for a moment and gave his answer.
"maybe."
"Now both teams have fielded small lineups, so now it depends on which team can play the characteristics of the small lineup."
Yang Yi said.
............
While the two were talking, the game had started again.
Thunder serves.
After Westbrook passed half court with the ball, he was once again let go from outside the three-point line.
But Guigui seemed to have made up his mind and stopped taking action out of anger, so he patiently waited for his teammates to move at the top of the key.
Durant and Harden are both running very actively, and the other two teammates have also been doing pick-and-rolls for them.
But no matter how the two of Duden run, there will always be a Rockets player beside them to defend them.
There is no other reason. All pick-and-roll tactics are useless in the face of unlimited defense changes.
Westbrook waited left and right, but never got a chance to pass the ball.
Seeing that the attack time was running out, he had no choice but to take a step forward and shoot a zombie jumper.
McGrady reacted quickly, took a step forward, and raised his hand to interfere with Westbrook's shot.
"Duang!"
The ball hit the front edge of the basket and bounced out.
Ibaka jumped up hard and grabbed the offensive rebound.
But when he took off for the second time and wanted to boost his morale with a dunk, a big hand suddenly appeared...
"Snapped!"
With a crisp sound, Ben Wallace blocked Ibaka's dunk.
Tucker, who was on the side with quick eyes and quick hands, caught the falling basketball and handed the ball to McGrady.
The Rockets took advantage of the situation and launched a counterattack.
During the fast break, McGrady attracted a lot of defensive attention.
At the same time, Danny Green in the left corner and George following up and cutting inside on the right are also the focus of the Thunder's attention.
In a flash of lightning, t-mac accelerated towards the penalty area.
But just when everyone thought he was going to end it on his own, McGrady flicked his wrist back and passed the ball behind his head to find Ben Wallace who was following up in the middle.
Big Ben strode forward, raised the ball with his right hand and went straight to the basket...
"bang!"
A powerful and heavy one-handed chop caused the Energy Arena to fall into dead silence.
At 42:20, the point difference continued to widen.
Durant shook his head helplessly and walked directly to the baseline to ask for the ball.
Then he dribbled the ball across half court alone and motioned for his teammates to pull away.
George stepped forward to meet him and started a hand-to-hand fight again.
Durant turned slightly sideways, using his body to protect the basketball while looking for opportunities.
Soon, the referee's whistle sounded - the Rockets committed a defensive foul.
George smiled and spread his hands. This was the second time in this game that he was called for a foul because he defended too hard.
But he's not worried about getting into foul trouble.
According to Mark Jackson's arrangement, if he doesn't get into foul trouble, there is something wrong with the defense.
Ever since, when Harden was about to serve the sideline ball, George and Durant were entangled again.
The referee saw it and held the whistle in his mouth, but he didn't know whether he should blow it or not.
Now the second quarter has just begun. If George is called for another foul, he will have committed three fouls.
It is very likely that George will stay on the bench until the second half.
For this reason, the referee acquiesced to the scale of this off-ball defense.
This also directly makes it difficult for Durant to catch the ball.
In the end, the Thunder's offense ended with Cook taking the shot against Green and successfully striking...