In the second quarter, the Warriors were led by Curry, with Clay and Dream Chasing also on the court. Nick Young and Looney continued to play.
Nick Young's three-pointer can open up the space, and Looney can protect the inside. Deng Fang does not blindly compare himself to the Rockets.
With Curry, Clay and Nick Young on the court, there is no problem with space. Chasing Dream is responsible for serving, and Looney's pick-and-roll screens and rebounds are very useful.
The Rockets also replaced Paul, Ariza, and Capela, and Gordon and Gerald Green continued to play.
Paul comes up and mainly plays pick-and-roll, Capela screens and rolls down, and the Warriors switch to guard Paul and play small and big.
Paul's shooting percentage is very high when he plays small and big, and the Rockets' offense is no problem.
But in turn, the Warriors' offense also improved. The Splash Brothers found their touch, scoring three-pointers one after another, and the point difference quickly narrowed.
For the Warriors, a ten-point difference is nothing at all!
The three of Splash and Chasing Dreams have been playing together for many years. The reason for falling behind in the score is just because of the bad touch. Once the touch is found, the score difference is not a problem at all!
Soon, the Rockets got their starting lineup back, and Harden returned to the lineup.
On the Warriors side, Durant and Yingoda La also returned, and the two sides once again locked horns.
Harden's one-on-one battle continued, and Paul took on the role of secondary attacker.
Although Harden's one-on-one efficiency has not changed much, it is obvious that Harden's speed has slowed down and he is more willing to choose to step back for three-pointers.
There is no way. On the offensive end, Harden has the most one-on-ones. On the defensive end, the Warriors have been staring at him. Harden's physical exertion is still very high.
Deng Fang had warned him before the game that no matter whether he succeeded or not, no matter who he was, he would fight Harden!
Even Cook was staring at Harden's breakthrough on the court!
It doesn't matter whether he succeeds or not, that's a tactical issue, but staring at Harden is a strategic issue!
Even if the singles are unsuccessful, it can consume Harden's physical energy and reduce his efficiency on the offensive end!
It doesn't matter whether one or two goals are successful or not, what matters is the consumption of the entire game, or even the consumption of a series!
Harden has never been known for his physical ability, and he is even more of a softie mentally!
How good of physical fitness can a young man who goes to the nightclub after playing a game have?
It's you I did!
Deng Fang just wanted to send a signal, that is, Harden is not good!
Harden's defense is not good and his physical fitness is not good. As long as the Warriors play like this, Harden will not be able to hold on sooner or later!
If you want your enemies to believe it, you must first believe it yourself!
Of course, this is not a spiritual victory method. Deng Fang knows that this is really a fact!
Harden's physical fitness is indeed not that good. He has plenty of strength, but average physical fitness.
Therefore, those who train Harden in the military are mainly focused on breakthroughs!
Even if the Rockets intend to protect Harden and prevent him from participating in pick-and-roll defenses, the Warriors are still watching him!
If you don't come up, you'll keep setting pick-and-roll screens without the ball. See if you can run?!
The Rockets' strategy is to switch defenses infinitely, and Harden has to move no matter how hard he wants to move!
It's okay for others to say, but when faced with a pick-and-roll between Clay and Green, do you dare to ignore Clay?
As long as you switch to Ke Lai and Ke Lai runs without the ball, you can only run with him, right?
Wait until Harden's defense comes, and then he comes up to pick-and-roll with Curry or Durant. It's up to Harden to see what he does!
Because of Deng Fang's teachings, the Warriors were very determined in this regard, and Harden was physically exhausted.
Halfway through the second quarter, Harden began to show fatigue.
Although the Rockets are still a few points ahead, anyone with a discerning eye can see that things are not going well for the Rockets.
Fortunately, D'Antoni replaced Harden early with 4 minutes left in the second quarter, and Gordon came on to hold on for a while.
Fortunately, Gordon performed very well and made several incredible three-pointers in a row, which allowed the Rockets to maintain their lead.
After halftime, the score became 55:52, with the Rockets leading by 3 points.
The second half started quickly, with the two teams’ starting lineups unchanged and their strategies unchanged.
The Rockets have unlimited one-on-ones, staring at Curry's military training, while the Warriors run two off-ball tactics every time. Green either fights with the organization at the top of the key, or provides support from a position. If he can't do it anymore, he will challenge one-on-one again. If he does one-on-one, he will also stare.
Harden.
The advantage of the Rockets' strategy is that it is simple and clear, each person has a single role, and it is not easy to make mistakes when executed, but the disadvantage is also obvious, that is, it extremely tests the physical fitness and will of the leader!
Infinite duel means a huge consumption of physical energy, and there are only one or two people who can do it, and at most there are only three people including Gordon.
Once the main general can no longer provoke and attract a flanking attack, the game is completely over.
The Warriors' tactics are complicated and require extremely high golf IQ. Not everyone can do it well, but it does have the advantage of mobilizing everyone's enthusiasm and saving energy for the main general.
When the main players are of similar strength, just a few off-ball tactics are enough. This can improve the hit rate a lot and save some physical energy for the main players.
It’s these little details that matter until the end of the game.
Due to a break at halftime, the Rockets played very well in the third quarter. Harden made sudden outside shots with a high success rate, and also organized the Rockets' offense in an orderly manner.
It has to be said that Harden, who is physically capable, is invincible under the current rules!
The defender needs to be careful not to stretch out his hand at all times to prevent being caught or pinched by Harden's hand. In this case, who can guard Harden, who is a three-point threat and has the strength to break through?
The favorite saying of Harden fans is: "Don't foul if you can!"
Indeed, under the current rules, it is almost impossible to guard Harden without fouling. You must either choose to flank Harden or let him score by himself.
But the question is, is this what basketball is supposed to be? Is this the basketball that fans want?
The rules are the same for everyone, and they encourage offense, but they are not meant to let you study loopholes in the rules all day long and rely on opportunism to score points!
The reason for encouraging offense is that it is highly entertaining, but if you are so opportunistic and score points by hitting porcelain, is there any enjoyment in it?
Your invincibility is just a strange flower growing out of a loophole in the rules!
Once the loopholes are closed, your wonderful flower will wither!
Of course, there is nothing we can do now. Deng Fang can only try to find a way to endure it.
Of the two bottles of poison, Deng Fang chose to let Harden score because he believed that Harden's physical strength could not sustain it. Especially at the critical moment, Harden could not be trusted.
The Rockets played very well offensively, and the name Yong San Crazy was not just blown away. If you score a goal between the two teams, I will return it immediately. The point difference has not changed much.
Soon it was rotation time, with Gordon and Paul leading the team, and the Warriors being led by Durant and Ying Guodala.
The substitute strength of the two teams is almost the same. Gordon played bravely in this game and did not fall behind in the one-on-one duel with Durant.
Although Yingodala's one-on-one ability is average, he is very helpful to the Warriors' offense and defense on the court. Even if the offense is blocked and the ball is in his hands, he can take action.
The most powerful thing about Ying Guodala is the defensive end. As long as he is on the court, Paul and Gordon will have to pick and roll, always avoiding Ying Guodala.
Although the pick-and-roll can avoid Yingodala, it always takes time, and Yingodala's defensive rotation is also top-notch. He is always much more annoyed by the Rockets' offense on the court.
Facing the Rockets' bench, Durant played very easily and scored consecutively, and the Warriors once tied the score.
The third quarter ended quickly. With Paul's three-pointer at the buzzer, the Rockets were almost three points ahead.