NBA Old Age Star System

Chapter 249 Fighting Tough Guy Butler Again

The double-digit point difference allowed Su Tian to maintain until the end of the third quarter.

At the end of the first three quarters, the score came to 101-90, and the Lakers temporarily led by 11 points.

Before the fourth quarter even started, the Lakers led by double-digit points. If this situation were to face other teams, Su Tian must have taken it to heart.

But the Rockets team is different from other teams. If he goes crazy with three-pointers, he will be deader than the Warriors.

Soon, at the beginning of the fourth quarter, Su Tian continued to lead the team on the Lakers side, and the Rockets also arranged for Paul and Harden to play at the same time.

The first ball was given to the Rockets in the fourth quarter, and Paul advanced to the frontcourt with the ball, still wanting to find teammates to cooperate.

Harden took Su Tian to a 45-degree angle, apparently wanting to open up space for his teammates.

But as soon as Harden came to a 45-degree angle and stood still, his teammates came to cover Harden for the pick-and-roll.

Harden ran out with the help of a screen, Paul passed the ball in time, Harden received the ball and made a three-pointer directly.

boom--

Harden was too eager to make a shot, playing basketball with iron.

The rebound was taken by Randall, and a direct long pass was passed to Su Tian.

Su Tian got the ball and went straight to the basket. On the Rockets side, only Paul reacted in time and followed Su Tian's footsteps.

Su Tian took Paul all the way to the basket in the frontcourt. Relying on his taller height, Angel Su made a European step, bypassing Paul's defense and scoring a layup.

103-90
Both sides were hit by a defensive counterattack by the Lakers at the beginning of the fourth quarter, which seemed to set the tone of the game in this quarter.

The Rockets organized an offense again, this time Paul himself took the ball into the inside and passed it to Ariza on the outside.

Ariza catches the ball and makes a three-pointer.

Swah——

Ariza hit a three-pointer, and Tiezha is not ironed at all today.

103-93
The ball is switched, and it's the Lakers' turn to attack.

Su Tian held the ball and advanced to the frontcourt. Facing Harden's defense, Su Tian called Randall to pick and roll, and with the help of the pick and roll, Su Tian held the ball and went inside.

At this time, Su Tian's threat increased greatly. After all, after playing for so long, other teams have begun to study the new Lakers boss. At least D'Antoni absolutely attaches great importance to Su Tian's performance in the fourth quarter.

As soon as Su Tian broke into the inside line with the ball, he was double-teamed by the Rockets. Su Tian had no choice but to pass the ball between the crowd and accurately gave it to Randall who was emptied.

Randall caught the ball and made a two-point shot.

Swah——

Randall made a solid hit.

Seeing Randall's shot, Su Tian was also relieved.

If Randall missed a shot just now, the Rockets will double-team more recklessly, which will be a more serious blow to the Lakers as a whole.

But when Randall made a shot, at least the next time the Rockets double-teamed again, he would not be so resolute and could give Su Tian a chance.

In the next few rounds, Paul and Harden began to exert their strength gradually. Of course, Harden's side was somewhat affected by Su Tian, ​​and his efficiency was not high. He mainly relied on Paul's side to maintain the point difference on the field.

Halfway through the fourth quarter, the point difference remained at about 10 points, and D'Antoni called a timeout.

After the timeout, the Rockets adjusted as expected, bringing up the entire main lineup.

On the Lakers side, Wharton had already expected it, and also took the entire main lineup, and the decisive battle between the two sides was imminent.

After returning, the Rockets had the ball, and Harden took the ball to the frontcourt. Seeing that Su Tian was still defending him, he began to call his teammates for pick-and-rolls.

With the help of his teammates' pick-and-roll, Harden wanted to get rid of Su Tian and make a breakthrough with the ball.

But Su Tian quickly bypassed the pick-and-roll, and quickly entangled Harden again. Harden failed to get rid of Su Tian, ​​so he had to connect with a signature double step back, returning to the three-point line and then shooting a three-pointer.

Swah——

Su Tian had already defended the ball in front of Harden, but Harden was defending against Su Tian and made a shot. It seemed that Su Tianliang's "defensive shock" was just a display.

With this shot, Su Tiancai really began to feel that Harden is really strong this season.

After all, there are not many stars who can shoot against themselves, let alone the king who has already started the fourth quarter.

116-108
Harden's three-pointer made the point difference to 8 points, and there were only about 5 minutes left.

Although the Lakers still have the lead at this time, the morale of the Rockets is like a rainbow.

After the possession of the ball was changed, Su Tian held the ball and advanced to the frontcourt. Su Tian knew that he had to score this goal, otherwise he would be easily overwhelmed by the Rockets.

After coming to the frontcourt, Su Tian found that his defender had been replaced by Ariza, while Harden was going to defend Ingram.

However, even if the defense is changed, Su Tian can only play this ball by himself. If it is really going to Ingram, Su Tian is not at ease.

Su Tian began to observe the team's defensive formation while calling his teammates for pick-and-rolls.

With the help of the pick-and-roll, Su Tian chose to break through, relying on an explosive start, Su Tian temporarily led Ariza by two body distances.

So Su Tian immediately stopped the jumper and shot, not giving Capela under the basket a chance to step forward to help defend.

Swah——

Su Tian's mid-range emergency stop jumper made a steady hit.

118-108
The point difference has returned to double digits again, and the morale of both sides is still evenly matched.

In the next few rounds, Ariza proved with facts that even if he defended himself, he could not have a great impact on Su Tian. Su Tian still maintained a high offensive efficiency.

The point difference of about 10 points was maintained until the end of the game.

In the end, the Lakers narrowly beat the Rockets by 131 points, 122-9.

At the end of the fourth quarter, it wasn't that the Rockets didn't want to give it a go. They shot a lot of three-pointers in a row, but the hit rate was not high. In other words, although the Rockets hit some three-pointers, Su Tian returned them again.

Facing Su Tian, ​​who is as stable as an old dog, unless the Rockets hit 100% of their three-pointers, they can directly destroy the Lakers.

本场苏天全场拿到41分15助攻10篮板3抢断1盖帽，拿到40+三双的数据！被评为全场最佳。

In addition, for the Lakers, Randall and Kuzma both scored 20+, and Randall also got a double-double.

Ingram performed poorly, scoring only 12 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists. He was defended by Ariza, but he was still affected.

For the Rockets, although Harden was followed by Su Tian, ​​he still relied on a strong offense, scoring 28 points, 11 assists, 2 rebounds and 2 steals, and still played a wonderful performance.

Paul also scored 33 points, 10 assists and 5 rebounds, the highest score on the Rockets side.

In addition, Ariza and Gordon also scored 20+ points. The Rockets made 45 three-pointers. It can be said that the Rockets have completely handed over the fate of the team to three-pointers.

After the end of the game, the Lakers' record came to 29 wins and 6 losses, and the Rockets' record came to 28 wins and 7 losses. The Lakers once again surpassed the Rockets and reached the top of the Western Conference.

At this time, the Warriors have a record of 29 wins and 8 losses, ranking third in the West, but the records of the three teams are very close, and the rankings will change if they are not careful.

On the way back to Los Angeles from Houston, Su Tianfan looked at the score sheet and the upcoming game schedule.

If the Lakers want to avoid the Rockets and Warriors as much as possible, they can only firmly occupy the No. [-] position in the Western Conference.

As long as they occupy the No. [-] position in the Western Conference and allow the Rockets and Warriors to meet in the Western Conference semifinals early, it will do no harm to the Lakers.

However, being No. [-] in the West is not so easy to do.

After returning to Los Angeles, everyone on the Lakers returned home to take time to rest, because there will be a back-to-back game against the Timberwolves the next day.

On January 2018, 1, the new year came, and the Lakers' first opponent in 1 was the game against the Timberwolves.

Before the game against the Timberwolves, the Lakers suffered another injury. The Lakers' starting point guard, Lonzo Ball, suffered an ankle injury and is expected to be sidelined for two weeks.

Helpless, the Lakers' starting lineup had to be changed again.

Josh Hart, Su Tian, ​​Ingram, Randall, Nance.

Fortunately, the Lakers have sufficient personnel reserves, and there are still people on the bench to support them. Clarkson, Kuzma, and Caruso can still fight.

The Timberwolves' starting lineup hasn't changed much, Taylor Jones, Wiggins, Butler, Taj Gibson, Towns.

Soon, the game started, the initiative was taken by Towns, and the Timberwolves attacked first.

Jones came to the front court with the ball, did not dare to hold the ball for too long, and passed the ball directly to Towns who was in the inside position.

Downs got the ball and wanted to hit Nance back, but after consecutive back hits, the positions of the two did not change much, so Downs had to pass the ball again to Butler on the outside.

As soon as Butler got the ball, he directly broke through Ingram's defense with the ball, drove Ingram to the inside, and made a direct layup.

0-2
The Timberwolves took the lead at the start, the ball was switched, and it was the Lakers' turn to attack.

Hart came to the front court with the ball and passed the ball directly to Su Tian.

Su Tian was not polite. Facing Wiggins' defense, Su Tian called Nance for a pick-and-roll.

With the help of the pick-and-roll, Su Tian held the ball and went inside, while Towns chose to switch defenses with Wiggins, chasing Su Tian to the basket.

Su Tian saw that Downs was chasing him behind him, so he directly collected the ball and took a step to widen the distance. Then he took off directly and dunked with both hands.

Downs' wingspan is indeed very long, and he almost touched the basketball in Su Tian's hand. Fortunately, Su Tian chose to dunk instead of layup, otherwise it would be hard to say.

2-2
In the next few rounds, Butler led the Timberwolves and Su Tian led the Lakers, and the two began to soar again.

But because the Lakers have just finished a fierce battle with the Rockets, they don't have enough physical strength back to back, not to mention the opponents are not easy.

So, at the end of the first quarter, the score came to 24-30, and the Lakers were temporarily behind by 6 points.

Su Tian has already sensed that the players in the team are not in good condition, and if it is not for him, he will probably have to explain this.

But now that I have myself, I have to find a way to win this game.

During the holiday break, Su Tian found Wharton.

"Coach, I can play the full game, my physical strength is not a problem." Su Tian said.

Wharton frowned and said, "Su, we don't have to worry too much about winning or losing a game. Your health is the foundation of the team. I can't sacrifice your health for the team's victory."

Seeing that Wharton was still thinking about himself, Su Tian was also a little moved, and then said, "Don't worry, coach, I won't make fun of my body, and the team doctor is always checking my physical condition , there will be no problem."

Seeing Su Tian being so determined, Wharton had no choice but to nod.

In fact, Wharton has persuaded Su Tian in this way many times, but each time Su Tian insisted on going his own way. Wharton also found the team's team doctor and physiotherapist team, and wanted these professionals to persuade Su Tian, ​​but these professionals The suggestion given by the personage is that Su Tian's physical condition is perfect and there is no risk of injury.

This made Wharton swallow every word of persuasion, and could only let Su Tian come.

Soon, the intermission was over, and Su Tian continued to appear on stage.

At this moment, Butler was still resting off the court. Seeing Su Tian continue to appear on the stage, Butler was stunned for a moment. Butler thought that he was active enough to play, but he didn't expect Su Tian to be so active.

But Butler was not in a hurry to find the head coach to replace him, but sat off the court to recover his strength. After all, the team is still in the lead, so there is nothing wrong with recovering strength.

However, Butler didn't rest off the court for too long, because Su Tian took advantage of Butler's absence to single-handedly play the Timberwolves with the ball for a long time, and directly caught up with the point difference.

It only took Su Tian 6 minutes to catch up with the 3-point difference. During these 3 minutes, Butler was replaced by the head coach before he finished his rest.

After Butler came on the field, he took the initiative to defend in front of Su Tian.

"Boy, you can, but you won't find another chance to score in the future." Butler said in a low voice.

"Jimmy, let's see who can't find a chance to score." Su Tian immediately replied.

After Butler came up, the first round was given to the Lakers. Su Tian pushed forward with the ball to the frontcourt, and Butler was in front of Su Tian.

Seeing Butler defending so aggressively, Su Tian didn't go head-to-head, but chose to call his teammates for a pick-and-roll.

With the help of the pick-and-roll, Su Tian came out and made a direct three-pointer.

At this time, Butler was still defending around the back, and when he saw Su Tian made a three-pointer, it was too late to interfere.

Butler's short arm did not play any interference role, and the basketball went straight into the net.

"Jimmy, where is your defense?" Su Tian smiled and looked at Butler.

Seeing that Su Tian was still provoking him, Butler didn't say anything but smiled.

The possession of the ball was changed, and it was the Timberwolves' turn to attack, but Butler advanced to the frontcourt with the ball himself.

Seeing Butler coming to the frontcourt with the ball, Su Tian also consciously went in front of Butler and faced him directly.

The two faced each other, and Butler also lifted his spirits. Butler remembered that last season, Su Tian had just entered the first defense and won the steals title. He was not a nobody on the defensive end.

Facing Su Tian's defense, Butler first chose to call his teammates for a pick-and-roll, and with the help of the pick-and-roll Butler started a breakthrough.

Su Tian quickly bypassed the pick-and-roll and wound up again.

Butler stepped back to protect the basketball while confronting Su Tian, ​​and then burst into the inside again.

Su Tian has been following Butler, maintaining a defensive position. After reaching the basket, Butler forced a layup.

Su Tian always maintained a defensive position, but Butler missed a strong shot.

bang—drip—

But at the same time, the referee whistled, indicating that Su Tian made a defensive foul.

(End of this chapter)