Vol 3 Chapter 490: Fight Tianwang Mountain Again

"Man, we will win this game."
"Oh, is it? Probably, I will disappoint you tonight."
...
On May 22, 2019, the fifth game of the Western Conference Finals kicked off at the Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City. Players from both sides have come to the arena in turn, standing on each side to warm up before the game. Anluo and Curry hugged in the middle circle. As the protagonist, he responded equally strongly to Curry's provocation.
The Thunder seem to have lost their dominance last season. In this year's playoffs, they have lost four games. You know, they only lost two games last year with the finals. And this number is likely to increase.
The 2:2 score with the opponent is the second time the Thunder have encountered this season in the playoffs. In the previous series with the Rockets, they won the battle of Tianwangshan, and then went all out to win the sixth game and advance to the Western Conference Finals. Now, standing on the field of the Battle of Tianwangshan again, An Luo felt a lot easier.
His ease came from the victory of the last Tianwang Mountain battle, from the advantage of the home game, and from Adams' return. In the previous game, Adams wore training clothes and participated in the warm-up before the game with An Luo and others. Observing his state, he can already return to the arena. Judging from the feedback from the team doctor, Adams is still recovering. But Donovan was cautious and let Adams continue to rest. Now back at home, after Donovan communicated with the team doctor again, he finally put Adams' name on the list.
This can be regarded as a rare piece of good news. Adams' pick-and-roll, frame protection and coping ability are a guarantee for the Thunder's offensive end. The beneficiaries are not only Westbrook, but also Anlor. As long as Adams fights to the top of the arc, no matter who is behind An Luo, he only needs to run to Adams and catch the ball. The opponent's defense can't keep up with his shooting speed at all! Of course, Noel and Kanter did a good job. More importantly, Adams' autonomous offensive ability at the basket and the pick and roll tactics with Westbrook can provide the team with greater help. Especially Anluo and Paul George, when they have Adams inside, they face much less defensive pressure. When it comes to high positions, open space for teammates who are good at breakthroughs, which Noel can't do. After all, he doesn't have the precise mid-range of Adams. Once he was pulled out, he was easily emptied. Nothing outside, Noel's situation will become very awkward.
After the game started, Adams let everyone see his value.
He didn't seem strange because he didn't play in several games. In fact, these days, Adams has been training with the team. After blocking Curry at the top of the arc, Adams did not run to the basket. He stood still and quickly received a pass from Westbrook. At the same time, An Luo has ran towards Adams from the left bottom corner around the three-point line. At the top of the arc, after the two came and passed the ball, Adams took the opportunity to take his leg, put his hands in front of his hips, and blocked Thompson who was about to go around. After An Luo received the ball, he continued to take a step to the right. Then, while Thompson was blocked and Curry hadn't switched defenses, he threw the ball out.
With an open three-pointer like this, An Luo is naturally able to catch it. In fact, Thompson and Curry didn't communicate well in the defensive selection this time. Thompson was going to bypass Adams and continue to defend Anlow, and Curry did not change defense. After waiting for the former to be blocked by Adams, it was already too late for Curry to re-defense.
After the ball was scored, the two clapped near the center circle and then entered a defensive state.
In this game, the Warriors played more patiently on offense. Curry came to the three-point line with the ball, and Westbrook stood in front of him, staring at him. After a try, Curry gave up his intention to shoot and gave the ball to Rooney at the basket. After Rooney received the ball, his left foot was on the axis, and his right foot was left and right on the floor, trying to shake Adams away to complete the layup. But Adams is not Noel. The latter's defense at the basket relies more on his strong physical fitness, but Adams is experienced. He placed one hand on Rooney’s midfielder and used some small movements to interfere with the opponent without leaving a trace; the other hand stretched out high, following Rooney’s footsteps, always blocking the direction of the opponent’s shot; at the same time, he The knee of his left leg was bent against the opponent's leg, limiting Rooney's force.
This ball can't be played! The face frame is not dominant, and the back frame cannot squeeze out the space. Rooney quickly passed the ball to Durant on the other right elbow. As soon as the latter caught the ball, Paul George and Grant doubled up. The height and arm span of these two people immediately pushed Durant into a very dangerous situation. Not only does he have no way to shoot ~EbookFREE.me~ the opponent will cut the ball if he is not careful. At this time, Green, who was not defending, shouted loudly behind him. After hearing the sound, Durant didn't even turn the shot, and threw the ball directly to the opponent. After Green got the ball, Grant did not immediately post it, but stood on the inside line and put the opponent two meters away! Green is very hesitant at this time, the position of his teammates on the field is not good, but he is really not sure. Finally, seeing that there will be 24 seconds to violate the law, he can only bite the bullet and throw the ball.
Maybe it's been too long! Green directly hollowed out the basket and threw the ball into Adams' arms. Although there is no 24 second violation, this ball can also show the toughness and decisiveness of the Thunder's defense. After they solved the worries of the inside defense, they let go of their hands and feet to target the opponent's outside attack. In the next game, not only Durant enjoyed such a treatment. Neither Curry nor Thompson escaped Grant's ruthless double-teaming.
During this period of time, Green was the most uncomfortable. On the defensive end, he didn't dare to let it go as Grant treated him. The latter fights directly to the bottom line, and his defensive area is reduced by a large amount. Of course, his role on the defensive end is not small. Changing defenses and patching defenses are still excellent. The support is also doing well, and the 3 assists in the first quarter are the best witness. But on the offensive end, it was too embarrassing. At any time, he is the best player among the Warriors. And the further out, the better the position. But he just can't make it! He took 7 shots throughout the first quarter and only scored 2 goals. And they were all empty cuts to the basket to face Adams and force a shot.
Green felt uncomfortable even with the Warriors as a whole. In the first quarter, they could only watch the Thunder pull the score away bit by bit.