NBA: Starting with Jokic template

Chapter 21: Halftime ends, Heat begins counterattack

"Good fight, guys!"

During the halftime break, Coach Brooks applauded the young people with a smile on his face.

Be happy for them from the bottom of your heart.

The equipment manager also carried a large box of Gatorade and some snacks and fruits and followed the coach into the locker room.

Replenish the physical strength of those who have fought hard.

Brooks originally expected today to be a tough battle, but he didn't expect the first half to be unusually easy.

Durant, Lin Chuan, Westbrook, and Harden all played well, and Westbrook, who had the lowest shooting percentage, also exceeded 50%.

Everyone showed amazing fighting power when facing the Heat's defense, as if they were in an empty space.

"We should be able to win the game easily today."

The big and strong man Perkins smiled naively, and his words had already sentenced the Heat to death.

"Oh? Perkins, it's not a good idea to open champagne at halftime. Let's wait until we win the game before we say that."

Seeing Perkins so confident, Lin Chuan, who had just wiped the sweat off his body, quickly dispelled his idea.

No matter what, it is absolutely wrong to think that you will win before the game is over.

No one knows how things will turn out until the very last moment.

Lin Chuan has seen too many classic cases of people opening champagne too early and then being overturned.

For example, McGrady said in 03, "I'm already thinking about my opponent in the next round." (Actually, it was a rumor. If it was last year, I would have already thought about my opponent in the next year, because the playoffs were changed in 03, with the first round changed from a best-of-five to a best-of-seven format.

The origin of the phrase "opening champagne at halftime" was the super reversal in 05 when AC Milan played against Liverpool with 3 goals in the first half.

Moreover, Lin Chuan is not someone who relaxes easily.

His biggest reliance at the moment comes from the system, and the rewards given by the system are only temporary, unless he wins the series and wins the championship.

Until he wins the trophy, he will always give his all as long as he is on the court.

Not to mention that he had just made a super comeback in the last game.

"You're right, Lin. We still remember McGrady's story vividly. We need to keep our passion. The Heat had some problems in the first half, but for a team like this, they will definitely adjust in the second half and fight us in their strongest form."

Brooks agreed with Lin Chuan's idea.
"It's normal for a team with superstars to do anything in the game. We can't let our guard down."

Entering the broadcast room, Yang Yi began to introduce the current situation to the audience in front of the big screen.

"At the end of the first half, let's take a look at the statistics of both teams. First of all, the score. The Thunder, playing at home, led the Heat by 63 points, 45 points to 18 points."

"Then let's look at the data of the representative players on both sides."

"First up is our Chinese player Lin Chuan. He played for 16 minutes in the first half, scored 12 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists and a block, shot 4/6 from the field and 2/3 from three-point range, with a very high hit rate! He performed very well!"

"If he continues to perform like this, it's a foregone conclusion that Lin Chuan will get 20+10 in the game."

"As for the Heat, James was lost in this game. He only scored 5 points, 3 rebounds, and 1 assist in the first half. The rest of the statistics were all zero."

"If James doesn't make adjustments, the Thunder will win this game."

In the Heat locker room.

They were trailing by almost 20 points at halftime, and the atmosphere in the locker room was very depressing.

"Hey, chasing the championship is always difficult, guys, cheer up and beat them in the second half!"

After Spoelstra said a few words on the set, he looked at Wade for help.

Wade felt Spoelstra's gaze and nodded helplessly.

"Hey, LeBron, I think we need to talk." Wade coughed twice and found James, who was sitting there with his head down and silent.

He held a copy of The Godfather in his hand, but he was flipping back and forth between the title page and the table of contents, and didn't seem to be reading it seriously.

But it was obvious that James was feeling restless at the moment.

Hearing the call from his good brother Wade, James folded the Godfather in his hand and put it in the locker beside him, then followed Wade to the player tunnel.

"Hey, listen, LeBron, I don't know what Riley said to you, but we agreed that the team is yours, and when you are on the court, you should lead the offense."

James didn't say anything. He put his hands on his hips and lowered his head. His attitude was unclear.

"Brother, I will talk to Riley again. Right now, the most important thing is for the team to win the championship. Don't you want that championship trophy?"

"Of course, we have come this far, and not winning would be a failure."

James replied quickly, but his tone didn't sound as decisive as his reply.

Seeing that James was still a little hesitant, Wade quickly added,
"And that Finals MVP! I will help you get it! You are the best player in the league, that's an honor you deserve, right?"

"I think what you said is right, Wade, the team winning the championship is the first priority!"

James opened the door of the locker room and shouted to everyone,
"In the second half, it's our turn to make a comeback!"

The cheerleaders performed at halftime, which livened up the atmosphere among the home fans, who cheered even louder than when the team’s star players put on a great performance.

After getting enough rest, the players entered the field one by one.

"Kill them!"

"You idiot, wait for the next game and watch us win the championship here!"

In the player tunnels of both teams, fanatical fans were venting their emotions.

But the Heat were not affected at all, and everyone had a blank expression on their faces. However, everyone could see that they seemed to have changed compared to the first half.

"Hey, their aura seems to have changed."

"Who cares about them? We are not weak."

Hearing several teammates muttering, Lin Chuan shook his head indifferently. The game is determined by people, not aura.

In the third quarter, the Thunder served the ball. Durant received a pass from Lin Chuan on the outside. Seeing James defending him in front of him, he was about to make a direct pull-up shot like he did in the first half.

After the triple threat, he quickly stood up to shoot a three-pointer.

Suddenly, James reached out and cut the ball before Durant could get up.

Before everyone could react and try to catch up with the defense, James had already rushed to the Thunder basket and completed the fast break with a dunk.

Was it an accident?

Durant looked at James with some surprise.

James had a blank expression on his face. After scoring, he quickly returned to defense and did not look happy at all.

In the next round, Harden held the ball and saw Lin Chuan leaning on Bosh. He quickly passed the ball to him over Wade.

But someone appeared on the passing line earlier.

Still James.

He stood in front of Lin Chuan in advance, jumped high and grabbed the ball as it was falling, and then made a long pass to the front court.

Wade received the ball and rushed into the restricted area. Facing Ibaka who was guarding the restricted area, he passed the ball to Battier in the bottom corner.

Battier shot quickly and hit a three-pointer in the corner.

? ?
Harden was a little confused. Was this predicted in advance?
(End of this chapter)