NBA: Starting with Jokic template

Chapter 167: 4 blocks in a single quarter! A gift for Harden

The game officially begins.

The Rockets ran into the court.

Harden was the last one to run onto the court.

The fans are very grateful to this player who has contributed a lot to them.

Even though they have become rivals now, they are not stingy with their applause.

Next up is the Thunder.

"The first one to enter is! Lin Chuan!!!!!"

As the DJ shouted, Lin Chuan ran into the venue.

Cheers suddenly broke out in the stadium.

This season, Lin Chuan gave them too many surprises.

In just one offseason, he has grown into the undisputed core of the team.

Until Westbrook also appeared.

Lin Chuan could hear that the cheers for him seemed to be no less than those from the All-Star guard who had fought for the Thunder for many years.

The game officially begins and the two teams take their positions.

Lin Chuan jumped to the ball first.

The Thunder attack.

At this time, in the commentary booth.

This time it’s still an old acquaintance.

Smith and Barkley.

"Good evening, fellow fans! You are now watching the NBA playoffs broadcast by TNT!"

"This game is the first match between the Thunder, the No. 1 team in the league, and the Rockets, the No. 8 team in the Western Conference!"

"This game will be commented by Barkley and Smith!"

"Smith, what do you think of this game?"

"Although the Thunder is obviously going to win based on the records of the two teams, the Rockets also managed to win a regular season match against the Thunder, who are in their heyday. And so far, the Thunder have lost their leader, Kevin Durant, so I think it's hard to say who will win this match. 70-30, Rockets 30."

As soon as Smith finished speaking, Lin Chuan had already hit the ball hard towards Westbrook.

First attack at the start.

The Rockets played poor defense.

Jeremy Lin was completely unable to defend against Westbrook, and he broke through in one step.

The zombie made a quick stop jump shot to score the first point of the game.

"Defend seriously!!!"

On the sidelines, McHale had a grim expression on his face and yelled at Jeremy Lin who was out of position.

Jeremy Lin felt helpless.

Can he defend Westbrook whenever he wants?

The ball came to the Rockets.

Harden faces Sefolosha.

"Don't lose your position! You are familiar with Harden's playing style!"

Brooks on the sidelines also gave a loud reminder.

Sefolosha stared at Harden's movements.

Watch him dribble the ball slowly.

Suddenly, there is a change of pace.

Sefolosha found himself frozen in place.

Harden had disappeared in front of him.

"Snapped!!!"

Harden's layup was ruthlessly rejected by Lin Chuan!
The audience cheered and celebrated.

"This is a gift for you as we meet for the first time in the playoffs."

Lin Chuan showed his right hand that had just blocked Harden, as if to say hello to him.

"Tsk tsk, Lin Chuan is worthy of being the best defensive center in the NBA today. After Harden broke through this time, he was blocked by Lin Chuan even though there was so much space. I'm afraid this game will become his shot-blocking show."

Smith touched his chin and looked at Lin Chuan with curiosity.

Such a center with not outstanding physical condition can always block the opponent's layup.

The ability to predict is too strong.

Pulled up by Asik and Parsons.

Harden smoothed his beard which was a little crooked due to the collision.

"Do you like this gift?"

Lin Chuan mocked his old teammate.

Harden said nothing.

The playoffs are where the real battle takes place.

Catch the ball again.

Harden switched defense and came to Collison.

Collison's expression was calm, and he didn't seem to care about Harden's dribbling rhythm.

He is too big to expect to be able to guard Harden on his own.

Instead of relying on him, it is better to rely on the help from the inside defense.

Harden didn't even use much rhythm, just relying on his explosive power to get through Collison's breakthrough.

The only one left under the basket was Lin Chuan, who had been guarding there.

Facing Lin Chuan who came forward to defend him, Harden suddenly performed the European step.

He attacked from the left and the right directly, breaking through Lin Chuan's defense, leaving only an empty basket in front of him.

Shot!

"Snapped!"

Harden's layup was blocked again!

But this time, the person who prevented Harden from scoring was another shot-blocking leader in the team.

Serge Ibaka.

"oops."

Smith couldn't help but slam the table, feeling sorry for Harden.
"What a pity! We finally managed to bypass Lin Chuan's defense, but unfortunately the Thunder team has another defensive stalwart."

Watching the basketball fly out of the court again.

Lin Chuan happily clapped hands with Ibaka.

"handsome!"

"You never thought that I'm not the only one who can block shots like this."

Lin Chuan patted Harden on the shoulder, but the words that came out of his mouth were very heartbreaking.

"Why don't you try an outside shot? I usually don't run that far to defend."

The opponent was Harden, and Lin Chuan's trash talk was rarely less aggressive.

But I don’t know if he wants to prove himself in front of his former club.

Attack again this time.

Harden rushed into the basket without hesitation.

The jump shot from the elbow area was once again predicted by Lin Chuan, who blocked the ball.

This time the ball was not hit away.

Lin Chuan firmly controlled the basketball.

The ball was passed to Westbrook.

The fast break was as fast as a 100-meter sprint.

He just rushed to the front court and made an exaggerated Carter-like dunk.

4: 0.

The Rockets attacked again.

Jeremy Lin advanced quickly.

Pass it to Harden who was asking for the ball.

He rushed to the inside again, facing Ibaka's help defense. Even though he had found the perfect angle for a layup, Lin Chuan still slammed the ball onto the backboard in the end.

After getting the rebound, he chose to pass it to Westbrook to advance.

He just rushed forward.

And Sefolosha is already in place.

Westbrook passed the ball, and Sefolosha made a three-pointer without paying attention to Jeremy Lin's defense.

The basketball hit the backboard and luckily bounced into the basket.

7: 0.

The Thunder repeatedly turned the original positional battle into a fast break.

The pace of the game is very fast.

"Hooding four times in a row, isn't that a bit cruel?"

Lin Chuan spoke to Ibaka, seemingly deliberately ignoring the protagonist beside them, Harden.

"Fake..."

Even with a good temper, Harden was furious after eating hotpot four times in a row.

"Calm down!"

On the sidelines, McHale made a megaphone and yelled at him,

"Don't get carried away, don't get competitive, this is the playoffs!"

Harden, who was about to break through the inside, was awakened a lot by this shout.

As McHale said.

This is the playoffs, and losing a game has a big impact.

Although he was still resentful and dissatisfied in his heart, he also knew exactly what he was good at.

His offensive weapons are not limited to the basket!
Harden's pace slowed down and then suddenly changed speed.

The defense that blocked Sefolosha was out of position and he chose to break through again.

But this time, Harden is no longer obsessed!

(End of this chapter)