The second half started quickly, and the Thunder took the lead in making changes. Robertson came off the court and Waiters started.
Obviously, the Warriors unscrupulously left Westbrook and Robertson open while flanking Durant, causing a big problem in the Thunder's offense.
What to do?
There was no good way, and Westbrook couldn't take a rest, so he had to let Robertson go.
With Waiters, at least the Warriors won't be so resolute when attacking Durant, and they will be wary.
The result was the same, Curry did not dare to stay too far away when defending Waiters.
In addition, the Thunder let Durant attack with the ball more often, and Westbrook began to make air cuts without the ball.
There was no way, Westbrook was holding the ball, Clay was hiding behind, Westbrook really dared to take action, but the result was that it was difficult for Durant to even touch the ball!
Donovan knows the best about Westbrook's shooting. He knows that relying on Westbrook's shooting can't kill the Warriors, and this won't work.
Durant began to play alone with Adams.
Durant's ball-holding ability is good and he also has certain organizational skills, but because he is too tall and his dribbling speed is average, passing is not something he is good at.
Of course Durant's passing is very good compared with ordinary stars, but if compared with a few superstars, Durant is almost useless.
This is also the reason why the Warriors dare to flank Durant.
Durant and Adams split apart, and Barnes and Bogut flanked Durant. At the same time, Green switched to defend Bogut. As for Westbrook, who was cutting without the ball, Clay just followed him and did not chase him hard.
As long as Westbrook is not allowed to catch the ball under the basket, the rest is easy!
With Clay helping to defend, Adams, who was downhill, had no chance to catch the ball and attack the frame.
The two flanked each other, and Durant had no choice but to pass the ball to Westbrook, who was in the open position. Among the five players on the Thunder field, only Westbrook was open.
Westbrook received the ball and immediately rushed to the basket. As you can imagine, Green slapped the basketball away with a big block.
Bogut also took the opportunity to return to the basket.
Deng Fang shook his head on the sidelines: Let Westbrook play without the ball, thanks to Novan's idea!
The Splash Brothers' movement without the ball is useful, but what's the use of Westbrook's movement without the ball?
It seems that Donovan really has no other solution.
The Warriors' offense hasn't changed much. It's still the same as in the first half. They run without the ball first, then shoot three-pointers when they have the chance. If that doesn't work, they try to force a switch, and then Curry plays a pick-and-roll.
Without Robertson, the Warriors' offense is much easier than in the first half!
Robertson is very good in both single defense and assist defense, and can even make up the interior. He is the core player of the Thunder's defense. Without him on the court, the Thunder's defense will be greatly affected.
Before, Curry had to deliberately avoid Robertson, but now that West is here, Curry has one more person he can train with!
Curry forced Adams to switch defense, made a feint, swayed Adams, broke into the penalty area and easily layup and scored two points.
The Thunder tried several times, but Durant was double-teamed and unable to take action. In desperation, the Thunder had no choice but to give the ball to Westbrook and let him organize the offense.
It's said to be an organization, but more of a solo effort.
Because Clay was stuck inside and couldn't come out, Westbrook couldn't break into the penalty area and couldn't attract a double attack to score the ball.
More importantly, Westbrook is very high-spirited and refuses to accept anyone. Seeing Clay being so defensive, he will definitely not give up!
Do you dare to let me shoot?
Do you think I dare not vote?
I am number one in the world, I have unlimited power to fire, I will vote for you today!
I'm going to throw myself to death like a coward like you!
The angry Westbrook didn't care, and Durant was immediately left alone.
A mid-range shot with an emergency stop, another mid-range shot with an emergency stop, and a third emergency stop mid-range shot...
In just 3 minutes, Westbrook took 7 shots!
Fortunately, Westbrook felt good and had good luck, hitting 5 of 7 shots!
The Thunder also made certain adjustments on the defensive end. They began to leave Barnes open, flanking Curry while shrinking the penalty area.
Facing a defense like the Thunder's, the Warriors had no other choice but to give the ball to Barnes and let him take a three-pointer.
Unfortunately, Barnes' touch was not very good and he failed to score in five attempts.
Westbrook's touch was hot, and with two frontcourt boards, the Thunder took the opportunity to hit a 13:1 wave, and the point difference quickly narrowed.
Although the score difference narrowed to single digits, Deng Fang was unmoved and still sat there quietly.
Even if he took the initiative to call a timeout, during the timeout, Deng Fang just reassured his players: Be calm, don't be afraid, and believe that Westbrook can't kill us!
If Westbrook can kill us with his shooting, then the responsibility is on me!
At the same time, Deng Fang kept pouring chicken soup into Barnes, telling him not to be afraid and to continue taking action!
There is no problem with your three-point shooting, it just feels bad occasionally!
Even Curry makes 1 out of 10 shots sometimes!
Just vote boldly!
With Deng Fang's encouragement, Barnes calmed down and acted more decisively.
However, the feel is not so easy to adjust. Westbrook hit two more mid-range shots, and Barnes hit twice, and the point difference came to 3 points!
Deng Fang remained unmoved.
In the next round, Westbrook couldn't hold himself any longer, so he faked a shot and rushed in while holding Clay up!
I've invested so much, you should make a pounce, right?
Unexpectedly, Clay remained unmoved, and Westbrook directly bumped into Clay!
Whether it was strength or size, Klay had the advantage. Plus, he was well prepared. Nothing happened to Klay, but Westbrook stumbled and the basketball came out of his hand.
Clay took the opportunity to win the ball and rushed directly to the frontcourt for a dunk!
In the next round, Westbrook was honest and followed up with a zombie jumper.
However, luck does not always favor one person. This time the basketball missed and hit the basket.
Green picked up the rebound and dribbled to the midfield. Barnes ran very fast and was the first to rush to the frontcourt. After receiving the ball, he dunked.
The score difference widens rapidly!
With this dunk, Barnes also regained some confidence and his touch returned.
Westbrook couldn't make a shot, Durant couldn't get the ball, and it was difficult to get the ball. The Thunder's offense suddenly came to a standstill.
On the other hand, because Barnes has regained his touch, the Warriors are going smoothly, with three-pointers raining down like rain!
In less than two minutes, the score difference widened to 15 points again.
Donovan called a timeout. After the timeout, Westbrook took a break and Randy Foye came on.
There is no way, Westbrook's trick is old and it doesn't work anymore.
With the addition of Randy Foye, the Thunder's offensive space suddenly improved a lot, and Durant finally had space for singles.
However, the Thunder's defense also got worse as a result.
Durant scored two points with difficulty, but the Warriors turned around and hit an open three-pointer!
Durant once again made a difficult mid-range shot and scored two points. Looking back, Clay made a feint and broke through to the basket for a dunk!
The score difference has become even wider!
Soon, at the end of the third quarter, the point difference became 25 points!
Facts have proven that Westbrook's shooting cannot kill the Warriors.
In the fourth quarter, Westbrook's touch recovered for another two minutes, but the Warriors didn't take it seriously. Westbrook's touch felt cold and the point difference quickly widened!
With 5 minutes left in the game, the Thunder were already 32 points behind, and the game had completely entered garbage time!
In the end, the score was fixed at 126:89. The Warriors defeated the Thunder and led the series 1:0!
