Vol 3 Chapter 216: Denver

Being selected for the All-Star is indeed an amazing thing for a player. This means that these players, whether in terms of strength, statistics, or popularity among fans, are excellent.
However, there is still some time before the All-Stars. Before that, the Thunder finally ushered in a very difficult schedule.
So far, the Thunder's record is 44 wins and 7 losses. Leading the team behind is a big win.
Warriors 40 wins and 11 losses, Rockets 38 wins and 13 losses, Spurs 34 wins and 17 losses...
However, they only played once with the Warriors, Rockets, and Cavaliers. Other stronger teams have not encountered much. However, next, their opponents can be very powerful. Throughout the 11 games in February, they will play twice with the Warriors, once with the Pelicans and once with the Cavaliers. Among the other opponents, the Nuggets, Grizzlies, and Magic are also very difficult to get around. Only the Lakers and Kings might be a little better.
This is a big test for the Thunder. However, if the Thunder want to finally participate in the championship, they must defeat all powerful enemies.
On February 2, 2018, the Thunder headed to the Denver Plateau and started their first game in February.
On the way to Denver, Westbrook once again received good news.
The NBA officially announced the best player of the month. Westbrook in the west and DeRozan in the east were elected.
From a team leader's point of view, this month, under the leadership of Westbrook, the Thunder had the best record in the league with 12 wins and 3 losses. From the perspective of personal data, Westbrook is also good enough. This month, he averaged 20.4 points, 11.6 rebounds, 12.2 assists and 2 steals per game. While continuing to rank first in assists, he also rose to fourth in the league in steals.
Although Anluo averaged 26.8 points per game this month and Paul George also averaged 25.4 points, 7.6 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 1.6 steals per game, Westbrook played the biggest role among the Thunder. Whether it is Anlow or Paul George, a large part of their scores are closely related to Westbrook.
However, getting the best of the month did not help Westbrook take away a victory in Denver. And in this game, the Thunder have basically been behind. They evened the score at the last moment, but this situation only lasted for 5 seconds.
In fact, the Thunder's offensive efficiency is not bad. Anlow and Paul George both made good three-pointers, and even Westbrook made one. They scored 63 points in the first two quarters. The feel is not the hottest, but it's not bad anymore.
The problem lies in their most stable defense. In this game, their defensive state was very bad. The Nuggets fired up in the first half and scored 76 points. Especially in the second quarter, they scored 45 points with a very abnormal shooting percentage!
In the second half, Westbrook launched a very tenacious counterattack with Paul George and Anlow.
As soon as the third quarter came up, Westbrook assisted Anlow and hit a three-pointer from the bottom corner. This is also a cooperation they like very much. Westbrook held the ball and broke through. With his personal ability, if the opponent didn't double-team, he would go straight to the basket. If he is double-teamed, An Luo can easily find the opponent's defensive space and get a shot. Of course, Paul George is the same.
Looking back, Harris of the Nuggets was ready to return one from beyond the three-point line. But the ball hit the edge of the basket.
In fact, the Nuggets had a poor offensive efficiency in the first half of the third quarter. Not to mention that it is far inferior to the second quarter, even the ordinary normal level has not been reached.
The Thunder's offensive state has improved. Under Anluo's leadership, they kept the score close to 83:85. However, after that, the Thunder suddenly cut off power and failed to continue the momentum of chasing points. Paul George didn't have the fiery touch of the last game against the Cavaliers. He still couldn't find the feeling of scoring in this quarter of the game.
In the last 4 minutes, the Nuggets reopened the difference under the leadership of Jokic. At the end of this quarter, the Thunder still trailed by 89:104.
Although it is 15 points behind, there is still one game time. For the Thunder, it is not a big problem to just get back the rhythm of their offense and defense.
Sure enough, after the start of the fourth quarter, the Thunder began to chase points continuously under the organization of Westbrook. Grant, who came off the bench, was in excellent condition. He led the Thunder to catch up to 100:108.
In the next few minutes, the two teams interacted with each other, and the situation fell into a stalemate. Thunder against this side, relying on An Luo's outstanding performance, slowly approaching the score. But the Thunder still can't stop the Nuggets from scoring, so it's not easy for them to equalize or even overtake the score.
In the second half of the fourth quarter, due to the difficulty of Anluo alone, Westbrook began to stand up, constantly breaking into the Nuggets restricted area to cause damage. Although his shooting is very unreliable, but his layups and free throws are relatively reliable. Therefore, under his leadership, the Thunder chased the score to 117:120 with 1 minute 25 seconds left.
When Westbrook broke through and assisted An Luo for a three-pointer, the Nuggets hurriedly called a timeout. The Thunder's offensive is too strong, and some can't stand it.
This game has entered the most exciting time.
After a timeout, Murray missed a layup and gave the Thunder a chance. Westbrook grabbed a rebound ~EbookFREE.me~ and quickly went to the basket. He forced a two-pointer against Harris, closing the point difference to 1 point.
The Nuggets paused again, time is running out, they must make this offense steadily.
After a timeout, the Nuggets still gave the ball to Murray. This guy rushed into the restricted area like a hot wheel. Unfortunately, I still didn't score!
However, Jokic grabbed the rebound. Seeing that there is no time, Westbrook can only foul quickly.
Jokic, who was sent to the free throw line, made two free throws and reopened the difference to three points.
At this time, there are 15 seconds before the end of the game.
"We only need a three-pointer! Ann and Paul, it's up to you! This time we are attacking..."
After a timeout, Westbrook holds the ball at the top of the arc. The other players moved, shuttled back and forth, and finally An Luo seized the opponent's defensive gap and got a shot. Westbrook, who has been watching the situation on the court, naturally did not miss it. The ball was delivered to An Luo for the first time.
Catch the ball and shoot.
An Luo feels a little different! The more critical, the calmer he is.
"Huh!"
The goal is scored!
At the last moment, Anluo relied on his own ability to pull the team back from the edge of the cliff.
However, the game is not over yet.
Although there are only 14 seconds left. The Nuggets did not give up either. Back from the timeout, Harris made a reverse run under the basket and rushed beyond the three-point line. Then, catch the ball and shoot.
Paul George flew up, but he still didn't have time to interfere with Harris' shooting.
"Huh!"
The same sound made the silent stadium burst into cheers like a roaring mountain and a tsunami.