rpbooks Chapter 709 Everyone is doing their best
Chapter 709 Everyone is doing their best
Chapter 709 Everyone is doing their best
Pinning the hope of winning the championship on a third-year player is indeed an incredible thing.Throughout the history of the NBA, there are only a handful of players who can be entrusted with such important tasks during the rookie contract.
Of course, An Luo is still a little worse than those guys.Even in terms of scoring ability, he is not particularly outstanding.However, he has one ability that is quite outstanding.That is the scoring efficiency, especially the scoring efficiency outside the three-point line. An Luo said it was second, and I am afraid no one would dare to say it first.
In the Thunder's current situation, Westbrook's breakthrough is no longer able to produce that explosive scoring wave in the remaining time.Paul George has that ability, but he is not in good shape.After being restrained by Leonard for several consecutive games, he seems to have lost the aura of "only me, General Joe" in the regular season.
When Westbrook heard Donovan's words, he was taken aback for a moment, then nodded at last, and reached out to pat An Luo's arm, saying: "Ann, it's up to you this time! I'll pass the ball to you, we Everyone will help you."
Adams reached out and rubbed An Luo's head, then pointed to all the spectators in the Chesapeake Energy Arena and said, "Go for it! Dude. They will cheer for you!"
An Luo didn't have too many thoughts in his mind.Donovan gives him something to do every game, and tonight was no different.But after Westbrook and Adams finished talking, he felt that everything was different.This is a kind of trust, from head coach Donovan to every player on the team, trust in him.Of course, this is also a responsibility, a responsibility to the Thunder, and a responsibility to the entire Oklahoma fans.Before this, this has always been something that Westbrook has to bear.
However, An Luo is confident.He just needs to make all those shots.Such things are indeed things he is good at.That's what he's been doing with the Thunder all along.
Back from the timeout, Westbrook received a sideline ball from Adams, circled the ball behind him, easily avoided Lowry who was pressing up, and then rushed directly to the free throw line.At this time, the Raptors' defense quickly shrank toward the basket.Except for Danny Green and Leonard, the other three players almost shrank to the free throw line.
Westbrook seemed to be preparing to complete the layup by himself. He swayed Siakam away with a European step and squeezed to the basket from the opponent's left side.Gasol immediately puffed up his chest and put his hands up.At this time, Grant and Adams moved.Adams first pulled to the left elbow to set a screen for Paul George, who used this to get rid of Leonard, who had been following him, and ran outside the three-point line to prepare to receive the ball.At this time, Danny Green, who was originally defending An Luo, became the closest defender to Paul George.Danny Green made a decisive charge as Westbrook passed the ball to Paul George from the rim.At this time, he couldn't care about An Luo anymore.After all, Paul George's scoring ability is also very strong, especially this kind of open three-pointer.Just after Danny Green pounced, Leonard immediately switched to An Luo.But before he could get close to An Luo, Adams blocked him on the way.
Donovan's tactics are done!Westbrook broke through with the ball, attracting the Raptors' defense to retreat.Paul George ran to the perimeter on a screen to catch the ball, drawing Danny Green away.But all of these are suspicious moves designed to create opportunities for An Luo.
Just after Danny Green approached Paul George, Paul George immediately passed the ball to An Luo who had pulled to the top of the arc.The latter had already made preparations, set up a fort, and blasted the ball directly into the basket.
112:107
The Thunder are still 5 points away!
After An Luo and Paul George clapped their hands hard during the retreat, they immediately threw themselves into the defense.This three-pointer gave the Thunder hope, but there is still a long way to go.The next defense is crucial.
Westbrook has been staring at Lowry from the backcourt, keeping a body distance all the way, and constantly harassing the opponent to dribble.Do everything possible to make the opponent's attack difficult, and don't let go of every opportunity that may make the opponent make mistakes.However, Lowry has also become a veteran of the league. He turned his body slightly, used his body to protect the basketball, and took the ball across the center line calmly.
Westbrook didn't dare to be too aggressive.The more critical the moment, the less you can panic.This is something Donovan specifically told him.Everyone knows that Westbrook likes to take risks when defending, and often takes gambling steals, but often allows the opponent to seize the opportunity and break through the defense.This time, he was cautious.
Time flies by.With 8 seconds left on this shot, Lowry moved.With the cover of Gasol Jr., he broke into the inside line smoothly.But facing Adams, he didn't go hard.At this time, there is no need for Lowry to force a layup.Siakam has thrown off Grant and cut to the basket from the right side of the three-point line.Lowry immediately passed the ball. He knew that as long as Siakam flew up, no one could stop him.
After Siakam received the ball, he really flew up.But what awaited him was not the whistle for a goal, but an offensive foul.
It turned out that after Westbrook was blocked by Gasol Jr., he did not catch up.Instead, Gasol was stuck at the top of the arc.The Raptors are likely to let Gasol shoot three-pointers.After all, in this game, Gasol Jr. has already made 3 three-pointers at the top of the arc.But when he saw the scene where Leonardo went to the right to cover for Siakam, he immediately understood what the opponent was thinking.So, he took another risk.Abandon Gasol directly, rush to the place near the bottom line under the basket, and stand in a good position in advance.Then, everything went as he thought, and Siakam hit him directly in the chest.
When the referee gestured for an offensive foul, Westbrook, who was hit by Siakam on the floor and slid far away, slapped the floor hard, then immediately turned over, ready to catch the ball.
Meanwhile, Donovan clapped his hands hard from the sidelines.He knows what defense means this time!Next, the Thunder had the opportunity to continue to close the score.As long as this goal is scored, the score of the two sides will be reduced to within one goal.An Luo and Westbrook's offense and defense make everything possible.
(End of this chapter)