Vol 3 Chapter 248: Regret defeat


"Ann, you have to be prepared to play 40 minutes per game! This year is our best opportunity!"
On the way back to the locker room, Westbrook suddenly said this to An Luo. An Luo was taken aback! But then he was able to understand what Westbrook meant. Paul George's contract expired this season, and whether he can stay with the Thunder next season is still unknown. Regarding this, neither Westbrook nor the Thunder's uniform team is very sure. After all, Los Angeles is definitely more suitable for Paul George than Oklahoma.
Once Paul George leaves the Thunder, it will be very difficult for them to find another All-Star level three. After all, the NBA is so big, and there are only a few players at this level. So Westbrook cherishes the current Thunder very much. He hopes to realize his dream this season, and he has made great efforts to this end. Whether it's the game that he tries his best every night, or the many things he sacrificed for it.
But the Thunder is a small team after all, and Oklahoma is also a small place. It turns out that there are not many players here, and their lineup is not particularly perfect. But Westbrook himself knew that Presti had tried his best. After the big moves of this season, he has always been tinkered to improve the team's competitiveness. However, the problem with the Thunder's bench lineup has not been well resolved.
Therefore, the main players will definitely play more time in the playoffs.
"I'm fine, Russell!"
Patting his chest, An Luo nodded at Westbrook. As long as he doesn't entangle on the defensive end from start to finish, he will have no problem even playing the whole game.
Up in the third quarter, Westbrook began to rush. He must take advantage of the opponent's defensive focus to be outside the three-point line to score as much as possible, and at the same time to force the Rockets to withdraw the defense line in, to create opportunities for the outside team Anluo and Paul George.
This style of play is actually familiar to everyone. D'Antoni is no stranger! The Thunder's offensive structure has always been that Westbrook and Anlo are shooting outside, and Paul George takes care of both. The three support each other and use their own technical characteristics to create opportunities for each other. Many times, everyone saw that Westbrook was very aggressive, but when the game ended, he didn't make many shots and scores. It is because in most cases, Westbrook is only involved in the offensive process, not to end. Once the opposing defensive player was taken away by him, he immediately passed the ball to Anlo or Paul George, who had a better chance. Regardless of him, Westbrook's scoring ability at the basket is quite strong! In this case, no way to deal with it is appropriate.
But D'Antoni dealt with this problem in a very extreme way. He pushed the boat along and asked Westbrook to score. And only defend him within the free throw line, letting Westbrook take a three-pointer. The Rockets' defensive focus is on Paul George and Anlow.
Under this defensive strategy, Westbrook's score continues to rise. But the Thunder is constantly being pulled apart by the opponent. In this case, Westbrook can't help it. After all, I have the best chance, so I can't force Anluo and Paul George to fight!
By the end of the third quarter, the Thunder had fallen behind by as many as 16 points! It's like boiling a frog in warm water. The Rockets didn't make that kind of very strong attack wave, they just pulled away slowly by one or two points. However, this process lasted for the entire period of the game.
"Paul, Ann, I need you to stand up and score. Russell can't beat the opposing team alone. I will let Steven and Andre cover you. I hope to see you play from the outside , Can interact with Steven and Russell. Steven, you remember..."
Donovan let An Luo and others rest for three minutes in the third quarter. Don't underestimate these three minutes. For the Thunder's current situation, it is quite rare. The old guy opposite is much tougher. Their main players have played more time than the Thunder! And over and over, it has always been just those players playing on the court.
In the last quarter, the Thunder launched a very fierce counterattack. An Luo put his focus on the offensive end, he kept catching the screen of his teammates, and shuttled between the other nine people on the field, looking for space to shoot.
Paul George also changed his position. He leaned two steps in from the three-point line and switched to traditional basketball mode. After catching the ball, hit the basket with one eye after another. Fortunately, Ariza's defensive skills are still there, and Paul George has not taken much advantage.
But Paul George's change forced the Rockets to shrink their defenses a little bit~EbookFREE.me~ This retreat is just what Anluo liked. He was finally able to receive the ball in the three-pointer now, and finally was able to shoot.
Facing Harden, An Luo shook his shoulder and broke through to the left. But when the opponent reacted, An Luo slammed his left hand and pulled the ball from behind to the right. One action, instantly distanced from Harden. Afterwards, An Luo pulled up directly and threw the ball.
Harden did not rush over. He is a master of fouling, naturally knows when to pay attention to his actions. Just like this ball, his movements have been slowed by half a beat, and he will easily be whistled by the referee when he pounces. So fortunately, Harden didn't jump up.
"Huh!"
The goal is scored! An Luo's three-pointer finally scored! In fact, he didn't make a few three-pointers in total today. But when I don’t come, I don’t have a chance in one session. Looking back, Harden wanted to pay one back, but ended up fighting. Westbrook grabbed the rebound and then directly assisted An Luo who had already retired from the center line. The latter stepped closer to the three-point line and opened his hand to hit another three-pointer.
But the Thunder were not able to reverse the situation with An Luo's offensive. At the critical moment, James Harden became the blocker. He first made a large retreat and hit a three-pointer, and then broke through the middle to the basket twice. More deadly, he also undermined Westbrook's quick counterattack.
In the end, the Thunder lost to the Rockets with 109:113 regret. James Harden finally defeated Westbrook and his Thunder team head-on. After the game, the players of both sides hugged each other to pay tribute. Harden and Westbrook chatted for a while in the middle circle. It can be seen that he is very happy.
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