Vol 3 Chapter 202: 2018 a good start

The entire 2017, for the Thunder, was a year of transformation.
This year, the Thunder came out of Durant's transition to the Warriors. And, after the operation of the management, Paul George formed a new star lineup. At present, the running-in is basically completed. Everything is moving in the best direction.
Especially since the official start of the 2017-18 season, the Thunder have only lost 4 games in two and a half months. Created the highest 14-game winning streak in team history. With a record of 32 wins and 4 losses, he ranked first in the Western Conference. At the same time, it is also number one in the league.
This Thunder is about to play the best season in team history.
Two days later, the flames of war once again ignited at the Chesapeake Energy Arena. As the first game of the new year, of course the Thunder still have to win. Their opponent is the Mavericks led by the old chariot. In the last match, Nowitzki returned to the top. Although he lost in the end, the Thunder were shocked in a cold sweat.
So, in the NBA, never underestimate any team. Maybe, that night, a certain player will suddenly explode. However, Donovan has always been very cautious.
The Mavericks are in very good form recently. They ushered in a strong rebound at the end of 2017, with the Raptors and Pelicans. The rookie Dennis Smith played quite well, and the Mavericks have chosen a good player.
For the Thunder, this game is not as easy as imagined. Despite Paul George's comeback, Robertson, the team's defensive core, missed due to patella tendinitis. This makes it difficult for them to face the Mavericks' offense. Among the current Thunder players, there is no one who can replace Robertson. Regardless of the old driver's age, if there is no strong defender to restrict him, he can still create huge damage.
Hope can only be placed on Grant and Collison. But the old and the young are really choking.
However, these things are something Donovan and his coaching staff need to consider. As a player, An Luo only needs to do his own thing. He doesn't have the talent of Rondo.
In the end, Donovan asked Grant to replace Robertson in the starting position 4. There is no change in the other starters.
Compared with the previous game, the Mavericks' starting lineup has changed quite a bit. Nowitzki returned to the starting lineup, but he appeared in the fifth position. In the fourth position is Maxi Kolebel. This guy An Luo had heard of him. He came from Germany and was a fellow of Nowitzki. But the ability is very average. The third position is Barnes, one of the Mavericks most capable of playing. The backcourt is rookies Dennis Smith and Wesley Matthews.
At the beginning of the game, the old driver naturally could not jump Adams, and the Thunder won the ball.
Westbrook advanced with the ball, and when he was close to the three-point line, he handed the ball to Paul George on the right. Grant leaned out and made a pick and roll. But Barnes and Collebel switched defenses in time, and Paul George had to hang the ball to Adams at the basket. After the latter got the ball, a small toss shot.
Unfortunately, the ball bounced twice on the basket and still didn't score.
There was a sigh from the audience. I thought that everyone could sit down and watch the ball at ease, but with these two bumps, it seems that the time to sit down has to wait a while.
But this time, Westbrook rushed to the basket like a bolt of lightning. The legs slammed into force, and the whole person rose into the sky. The right hand raised high, grabbed in front of the opposing player, dragged the fallen basketball, and dialed it into the basket.
After a wave of cheers like a tsunami, the Thunder fans sat down on their seats at ease.
Looking back, Smith advanced with the ball and assisted Colebel, who missed a mid-range jumper.
The Thunder continued to attack. Because of the presence of the old driver, the Mavericks are naturally not faster than the Thunder. Westbrook and Adams seized this opportunity and directly hit each other's footing. Finally, Adams scored a layup.
4:0, the Thunder's offense played well. Robertson's absence hasn't had any major problems yet.
Subsequently, the Mavericks played a beautiful cooperation.
Barnes extended the pass from Smith on the right three-point line, and then under the cover of Collebel's pick and roll, he instantly got rid of Paul George's defense and went straight to the basket. Grant wasn't decisive enough when changing defenses. The opponent seized the opportunity and got stuck in half of his position. Although his excellent wingspan and jumping make him have a great deterrent behind the local players, and in previous games, he also has a beautiful chasing cap. But this time, Barnes was not given him that opportunity.
With the completion of this ball, the Mavericks found their own offensive rhythm while breaking the scoring shortage. Barnes continued to use pick and roll screens to face Grant, which caused great trouble to the Thunder. But fortunately, their offensive Mavericks were even more unguarded~EbookFREE.me~ Therefore, at the end of the first quarter, the Thunder still led by 32:28.
The stalemate continued until there were 2 minutes left in the game.
An Luo found an open opportunity in the left corner through his running position and hit his sixth three-pointer in the field. Help Thunder take the lead again with 103:100.
At this time, the Mavericks did not feel any difference. In this game, the Thunder regained the lead too many times. Even Carlisle believes that his players will come back soon.
But then, Matthews was intercepted by Anlow when passing the ball with Smith. This is already his fifth steal in this game! The master-level ability is really too strong. Before Matthews took the shot, he had anticipated that the other party might do that.
An Luo, who succeeded in stealing, rushed across the center line with the ball. But this time, Westbrook has rushed to the basket. Without even thinking about it, he raised his hand for a long pass and pushed the ball directly over the basket.
Westbrook, who rushed to the basket, flew again, straightened his right arm, and after receiving the ball, he directly pressed the ball into the basket.
The air connection between the two guards caused the entire Chesapeake Energy Arena to boil.
Next, the Thunder firmly secured its advantage. And when the opponent had to use foul tactics, whether it was Westbrook or Grant, they made a steady free throw.
In the end, the Thunder defeated the visiting Dallas 113:109 in their appearance.
The Thunder fans were very happy after winning, but they did not forget to applaud Nowitzki. This veteran has officially ushered in his 21st year in this league. It deserves everyone's applause.