rpbooks Chapter 386
Chapter 386
Chapter 386
It is indeed a remarkable thing for a player to be selected as an All-Star.This means that these players, whether it is strength, statistics, or popularity among fans, are very good.
However, there is still some time before the All-Stars.Before that, the Thunder finally ushered in a very difficult schedule.
So far, the Thunder's record is 44 wins and 7 losses.Leading the team behind is not a small victory.
勇士40胜11负，火箭38胜13负，马刺34胜17负……
However, they only played against the Warriors, Rockets, and Cavaliers once each.I haven't encountered any other stronger teams.However, next, their opponents will be very powerful.In 11 games throughout February, they will play two against the Warriors, one against the Pelicans and one against the Cavaliers.Among the rest of the opponents, the Nuggets, Grizzlies, and Magic are also difficult to deal with.Only the Lakers and Kings might be slightly better off.
This is no small test for the Thunder.However, if the Thunder wants to finally participate in the championship, they must defeat all powerful enemies.
On February 2018, 2, the Thunder traveled to Denver Plateau to start their first game in February.
On the way to Denver, Westbrook once again received good news.
The NBA officially announced the best player for January.Westbrook in the West and DeRozan in the East were elected.
From the perspective of team leadership, under the leadership of Westbrook this month, the Thunder had the league's best record of 12 wins and 3 losses.From the perspective of personal data, Westbrook is also good enough.This month, he averaged 20.4 points, 11.6 rebounds, 12.2 assists and 2 steals per game. While continuing to rank first in assists, he also rose to fourth in the league in steals.
Although An Luo averaged 26.8 points per game this month, Paul George also averaged 25.4 points, 7.6 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 1.6 steals per game, but in the Thunder, Westbrook still plays the biggest role.Whether it is An Luo or Paul George, a large part of their scoring is closely related to Westbrook.
However, winning the best of the month did not help Westbrook take away a victory in Denver.And in this game, the Thunder has basically always been the one behind.They evened the score at the last moment, but this situation only lasted 5 seconds.
In fact, the Thunder's offensive efficiency is not bad.Both An Luo and Paul George made good three-pointers, and even Westbrook made one.They scored 63 points in the first two quarters.It's not the hottest in the hand, but it's not bad either.
The problem is their most consistent defense.In this game, their defensive state was very bad.The Nuggets went all out in the first half, scoring 76 points.Especially in the second quarter, they scored 45 points with a pretty abnormal shooting percentage!
In the second half, Westbrook launched a very tenacious counterattack with Paul George and An Luo.
As soon as the third quarter came up, Westbrook assisted An Luo to hit a three-pointer from the bottom corner.This is also a combination that they like very much.Westbrook broke through with the ball. With his personal ability, if the opponent didn't double-team, he would go straight to the layup.If he is double-teamed, An Luo can easily find the opponent's defensive space and get a chance to shoot.Of course, Paul George is the same.
Looking back, the Nuggets' Harris was ready to return one from beyond the three-point line.But the ball hit the edge of the basket.
In fact, the Nuggets' offensive efficiency was not good in the first half of the third quarter.Not to mention that it is far inferior to the second quarter, and even the ordinary normal level has not been reached.
The Thunder's offensive status has improved.Under the leadership of An Luo, they chased the score all the way to 83:85.However, the Thunder suddenly lost power after that and failed to continue the momentum of chasing points.Paul George didn't have the fiery touch he had in the last game against the Cavaliers.In this quarter of the game, he still couldn't find the feeling of scoring.
In the last 4 minutes, the Nuggets reopened the point difference under the leadership of Jokic.At the end of this section, the Thunder are still behind by a big score of 89:104.
Although they are 15 points behind, there is still a quarter of the game. For the Thunder, as long as they find their rhythm on both ends of the offense and defense, this is not a big problem.
Sure enough, after the start of the fourth quarter, the Thunder began to chase points under the organization of Westbrook.Grant, who came off the bench, was in excellent form. He led the Thunder to chase the score to 100:108.
In the next few minutes, the two teams communicated with each other, and the situation fell into a stalemate for a while.On the Thunder's side, relying on An Luo's outstanding performance, they slowly approached the score.But the Thunder still couldn't stop the Nuggets from scoring, so it was not easy for them to equalize or even overtake the score.
In the second half of the fourth quarter, because An Luo was unable to support himself, Westbrook began to stand up, constantly breaking into the Nuggets' penalty area to cause damage.Although his shooting is very unreliable, layups and free throws are relatively reliable.Therefore, under his leadership, the Thunder chased the score to 1:25 with 117 minute and 120 seconds left in the game.
When Westbrook broke through and assisted An Luo to make a three-pointer, the Nuggets quickly called a timeout.This wave of Thunder's offensive was too strong, and it was a bit overwhelming.
This game has entered the most exciting time.
After a timeout, Murray missed a layup and gave the Thunder a chance.Westbrook grabbed the rebound, quickly hit the basket, and forced a two-pointer against Harris, closing the point difference to 1 point.
The Nuggets paused again, and there was not much time left. They had to play this offense steadily.
After the timeout, the Nuggets still gave the ball to Murray.This guy rushed towards the restricted area like he was on a hot wheel.Unfortunately, still did not score!
However, Jokic grabbed the rebound.Seeing that there was no time, Westbrook could only foul quickly.
Jokic, who was sent to the free throw line, made two free throws and opened the point difference to three points again.
At this time, there are still 15 seconds before the end of the game.
"We only need a three-pointer! Ann, Paul, it's up to you! This attack, we play..."
Back from the timeout, Westbrook holds the ball at the top of the arc.The other players started to move, shuttling back and forth, and finally An Luo caught the gap of the opponent's defense and got a chance to make a shot.Westbrook, who has been paying attention to the situation on the court, naturally did not miss it.The ball was sent to An Luo immediately.
Catch the ball, shoot.
An Luo felt that he was a little different!The more critical the time, the calmer he is.
"Shh!"
The ball is in!
At the last moment, An Luo relied on his own ability to pull the team back from the cliff.
However, the game isn't over yet.
Although the time is only 1.4 seconds left.The Nuggets didn't give up either.Back from the timeout, Harris ran back under the basket and rushed beyond the three-point line.Then, catch the ball and shoot.
Paul George flew up, but still couldn't interfere with Harris' shot.
"Shh!"
The same sound made the silent arena burst into applause like a mountain roar and a tsunami.
(End of this chapter)