NBA Old Age Star System

Chapter 390: Rockets and Lakers rematch, Harden retires due to injury?

The second game between the Rockets and the Lakers was only two days apart from the first game, leaving the Rockets little time to adjust.

Just after the game between the Clippers and the Nuggets ends, the game between the Rockets and the Lakers will begin.

"Speaking of which, Staples has been really busy lately."

"Yeah, after all, I've never seen anything like the Clippers and Lakers advance into the second round together."

"It would be really interesting if the two teams met in the Western Conference Finals."

"Don't say it, don't say it, it's really possible."

"Anyway, it's safe for the Lakers to advance to the Western Conference Finals. It just depends on whether the Clippers can do it."

The scene at Staples was buzzing with people. At first glance, they were basically all Lakers fans. There were also Rockets fans, but very few.

Soon, players from both sides entered the field.

Both teams maintained the starting lineup from the previous game in a tacit understanding, and McGee still took the first offensive right.

Brunson came to the frontcourt with the ball and passed the ball directly to Su Tian.

Su Tian got the ball and faced Harden without rushing to attack.

"Hey, James, didn't you say you wanted to beat me in this game?"

Harden was stunned for a moment, then said very firmly: "Yes!"

"Okay! Then let me see if you can really defeat me!"

After Su Tian finished speaking, the three threats started. After continuous probing, Su Tian first misled by changing directions, and then broke out to break through.

Harden was a little confused by Su Tian's continuous operations, and he didn't notice that Su Tian had completed the breakthrough.

At this time, Su Tian came to the basket unimpeded and shot directly for a layup. Tucker wanted to help defend, but unfortunately his movements were too slow, and Su Tian had already completed the shot.

Swah——

The basketball hits steadily.

The ball was transferred, and Westbrook came to the frontcourt with the ball. He took a look at Harden, who was being entangled by Su Tian, ​​and decided to play with the ball himself.

Facing Brunson's defense, Westbrook was still very confident. He wanted to rush to the basket with the ball as soon as he put the ball on the block.

Brunson's defense is relatively simple for Westbrook, but as soon as Westbrook breaks through, the thick eyebrows and McGee on the side come up to double-team to help defend.

Westbrook passed the ball directly to Tucker in the bottom corner.

Tucker caught the ball and shot a three-pointer directly.

boom--

It's a pity that it didn't hit.

The thick eyebrow turned around to collect the rebound and directly passed the long ball to Su Tian, ​​who was already on a fast break.

Su Tian caught the ball and ran ahead of everyone. After reaching the frontcourt, he made a light layup.

4-0
The Rockets had no choice but to organize an offense again. This time Westbrook passed the ball to Harden, hoping to attract Harden to overdo the defense.

But he didn't expect that after Harden got the ball, he directly started to play Su Tian alone.

"Harden is really brave." Barkley said meaningfully.

"Well, there's nothing we can do about it. After all, Harden is the star of the Rockets. Anyone can be locked up, but not Harden! If Harden is locked up, then the Rockets really have no chance." Kenny Smith said.

Harden's movements are already very familiar to Su Tiandu. After continuously dribbling under the crotch, he steps back and shoots a three-pointer.

Su Tian followed Harden's movements step by step, and it was enough to interfere with the final shot.

boom--

As expected, Harden struck directly against Su Tian's shot.

McGee turned around to collect the rebound and wanted to pass the ball directly to Su Tian, ​​but the Rockets blocked it in time. In addition, McGee's passing was average and he was afraid of making a mistake in the pass.

So a fast break opportunity had to turn into a positional battle.

After falling into a positional battle, Thick Eyebrow got the ball in the low post, directly hit Tucker with his back, turned around and made an easy layup.

"The gap between the two teams inside is really too big. It's difficult for the Rockets to guard Davis in the inside, not to mention the Lakers still have Su on the outside!" Barkley said.

The rest of the first quarter was like a replica of the previous game, with the Rockets being clearly suppressed.

At the end of the first quarter, 33-23, the Lakers led by 10 points.

"With a 10-point lead in a single quarter, can the Rockets do it?"

"Okay! The rocket is gone again!"

"James Harden was obviously suppressed by Su Tian. If Harden wants to get normal data, he can only wait until Su Tian is off the court."

"It seems like today is another ordinary day of winning! Long live the Lakers!!"

"By the way, if James Harden can't stand up, why can't Russell stand up?"

"Russell's outside shooting is not good, and most of his shots are at the basket. But if you look at the Lakers' inside configuration, with their defensive capabilities, Russell doesn't dare to take any shots at will!"

Soon the first quarter ended and the second quarter began.

Su Tian also took a break just like the last game. The Lakers were led by George.

But this time, just to be on the safe side, Wharton also brought thick eyebrows on the court.

The tactical effect of thick eyebrows on the Lakers is still very obvious.

Of course, the thick eyebrows themselves are also strong, and their inside deterrence is not something ordinary players have.

But Harden thought this was a good opportunity.

"Coach, Su is not on the court, this is definitely a good opportunity! We can take this opportunity to recover the score!"

For Harden, the offensive environment has naturally improved without Su Tian on the court, but the Lakers' overall competitiveness is still online.

Although D'Antoni emphasizes offense, it doesn't mean that he doesn't know how powerful the defensive team is.

"James, I know you are anxious, but don't be anxious yet."

"Dealing with the Lakers is not a matter of a few minutes, but a whole game. Don't be in a hurry, just listen to my arrangements."

After hearing this, Harden had no choice but to follow D'Antoni's arrangement and rest off the court temporarily.

But when Harden finished his rest and was about to change onto the court, Su Tian also walked to the technical stage.

"This guy! I'm really unlucky for eight lifetimes when I meet him! Why are you playing with me!"

Harden was complaining crazily in his heart at this time, but he didn't dare to show anything.

Soon, due to Covington's defensive foul, the two took advantage of the dead ball opportunity to play again.

"Oh? Harden actually appeared on the stage with Su! It seems that the two of them will have wonderful contributions again!" Barkley said excitedly.

"Wonderful? Not necessarily, it could be James Harden's suffering time!" Kenny Smith replied in a low voice.

Kenny Smith’s joke turned out to be an accurate prediction!

After Su Tian came on the court, he directly took over the team's ball rights and continued to attack with the ball.

In order to retain good physical strength, Harden is no longer responsible for defending Su Tian, ​​and Gordon is responsible for it.

Whether it's Gordon or Harden, it actually makes no difference to Su Tian, ​​because neither can guard him.

Under Su Tian's strong performance, the second quarter ended.

At the end of the first half, the Lakers already led the Rockets by 17 points.

"It seems that our prediction in the first half was quite accurate." Barkley said, while turning to look at Kenny Smith beside him.

"Yes, it is very difficult for the Rockets to come back now, unless the Rockets can score those unreasonable three-pointers in the second half." Kenny Smith said.

"Or find a way to contain the Lakers' offense." Barkley added.As soon as Barkley finished speaking, Kenny Smith immediately said: "How is that possible? Instead of expecting the Rockets to work harder on the defensive end, it is better to expect them to score two more three-pointers."

It has to be said that Barkley and Smith made very accurate judgments about the Rockets.

At this time, in the Rockets locker room.

D'Antoni explained the tactics with a tactical board, but he did not mention defensive matters throughout the article. He only emphasized the offensive end.

"James, the third quarter, the third quarter is our opportunity. We must eliminate our threat from beyond the three-point line!"

"Russell, you too, always pay attention to the movement of your teammates, and be sure to pass the ball in time. Everyone who receives the ball must be decisive in taking action. The Lakers' defense is fast, don't give them a chance!"

Immediately after D'Antoni drew a few more tactics, the halftime break was almost here.

"Okay guys, I don't want to say much more. No matter you come here to get a big contract or a championship, we must have the same goal at this moment!"

"Only by defeating our current enemies can we advance to the finals, launch an attack on the O'Brien Cup, and win a big contract!"

"So, come on now and defeat them!"

At the end of the halftime break, the two sides returned to the field again.

Both sides are still playing with the starting lineup.

The first possession of the third quarter was given to the Rockets, and Westbrook came to the frontcourt with the ball.

At this time, the Rockets players began to move according to D'Antoni's tactical arrangement. Although the running was not subtle, everyone in the Rockets has three-point ability, and it is easy to miss someone if you are not careful.

Westbrook saw the right time and passed a precise pass to Covington who was running out.

Covington caught the ball and shot a three-pointer directly.

Swah——

Covington hit a three-pointer directly.

"Beautiful! This is interesting! I hope the Rockets can give some strength next time!" Barkley said.

The ball was transferred and Brunson came to the frontcourt with the ball.

After arriving in the frontcourt, Brunson passed the ball directly to Su Tian.

Su Tian got the ball and faced Harden, choosing to call on his thick eyebrows to step forward to pick and roll.

Su Tian used the pick-and-roll to make a breakthrough, and Nongmei also turned around and went directly down the line.

This move was often used by Su Tian and Nongmei before. The Rockets also knew that Nongmei was going to bomb the basket again, but there was nothing they could do.

Su Tian saw the right moment and threw the ball to the basket. With thick eyebrows, he took off on the spot, caught the basketball and dunked it directly into the basket.

boom--

"Alley-oops from Sue and Davis!!!"

Driven by the live DJ, the fans at the scene immediately became excited.

I have to say that the physical fitness of the thick eyebrow is indeed good, and the alley-oop and dunk are also very beautiful.

But the Rockets were not frightened by this alley-oop.

Westbrook once again came to the frontcourt with the ball and passed the ball directly to Harden.

When Harden caught the ball and faced Su Tian's defense, he did not rush for success. Instead, he first observed the movement of the players, and then called his teammates to step forward to cooperate with the pick-and-roll.

With the help of the pick-and-roll, Harden pretended to break through, but then took a step back and returned to the three-point line, shooting directly from the three-point line.

This time Harden's fake move was so real that even Su Tian was shaken.

bang - swish -

The basketball hits the rim and bounces into the net.

"Good shot! James Harden started to counterattack!!" Barkley suddenly shouted excitedly.

"Only when James Harden shows effective means of resistance will this game become really good!!"

At this time, the point difference was chased to 13 points.

Su Tian looked at the score difference and chose to hold the ball to the frontcourt.

"James, is this how you resist? Betting on luck?"

The shot just now seemed to others that Harden was tough and made the shot against the defense.

In fact, Su Tian, ​​who is familiar with Harden, knows that luck accounted for a large part of that shot.

Of course, Su Tian does not deny Harden's three-point ability, but Harden will not always be so accurate when faced with such a defense.

At this time, Su Tian faced Harden's defense and continuously crossed the ball to mobilize Harden's defensive focus.

Then Su Tian broke through Harden's defense easily with an explosion and rushed towards the basket.

Su Tian's action successfully attracted a double-team from the Rockets, so Su Tian took advantage of the situation and passed the ball to Paul George outside the three-point line.

George got the ball and shot a three-pointer directly.

Swah——

George's three-pointer was directly hit with the support of Su Tian's pass.

The point difference came to 16 points again.

"Beautiful! The connection between Su and George! The Lakers also responded very well to the Rockets' three-pointers!" Barkley was obviously much more energetic than he was in midfield.

In the next few rounds, the Rockets' three-pointers began to gradually show their lethality.

As for the Lakers, because the Rockets' defense does have flaws, the Lakers' offense has never been interrupted.

Halfway through the third quarter, the point difference was chased to 10 points, but the Rockets' three-pointers began to decline.

So after Su Tian made another three-pointer to widen the point difference to 13 points, Su Tian came off the court to rest.

Seeing Su Tian take a rest, Harden immediately regained his energy, but then his body issued a warning.

At this time, D'Antoni on the sidelines also noticed something was wrong with Harden, so he immediately called a timeout.

"James, how are you? What happened?"

I saw Harden limping towards the bench.

"It's okay, coach. It's just that it seems to be a little strained."

When D'Antoni heard about it, he immediately arranged for the team doctor to come forward for examination.

"What happened to Harden?" Barkley asked.

It happened suddenly, and Harden did not have any physical collision with anyone else.

Anyone who has relevant knowledge knows that this kind of injury that occurs without physical contact is truly scary.

But fortunately, after a period of examination by the team doctor, it was found that there was just some muscle tension and it would be fine if it could be relieved.

So, D'Antoni took Harden to rest and let Westbrook continue to lead the team.

Barkley, who was in the studio at this time, also received the latest news from Harden.

"Okay, it's not a big problem, guys, James just had a tense muscle, just rest and he'll be fine," Barkley said.

"But it can also be seen from this that the confrontation between the two teams is still very fierce. I hope that the players on both sides will stay healthy and there will be no problems."

After Harden went down, the Rockets' combat effectiveness did decline, but because the Lakers' Su Tian and Nong Mei also rested, the point difference was not widened.

Of course, the score difference did not widen or continue to get closer.

At the end of the third quarter, the Lakers led by 13 points.

(End of this chapter)