roccoschili Chapter 375 A Good Start in 2018
Chapter 375 A Good Start in 2018
Chapter 375 A Good Start in 2018
The whole of 2017 can be regarded as a year of transformation for the Thunder.
This year, the Thunder stepped out of the shadow of Durant switching to the Warriors.And, after the operation of the management, Paul George formed a new star lineup in exchange.At present, the running-in is basically completed.Everything is going in the best direction.
Especially since the official start of the 2017-18 season, the Thunder have only lost 4 games in two and a half months.Created the highest record of fourteen consecutive victories in team history.With a record of 32 wins and 4 losses, it tops the Western Conference standings.At the same time, it is also the first in the league.
This Thunder team is about to play the best season in team history.
After two days, the flames of war ignited again in the Chesapeake Energy Arena.As the first game of the new year, the Thunder will of course still have to win.Their opponent is the Mavericks led by the old chariot.The last time they fought, Nowitzki returned to the top. Although he lost in the end, the Thunder still broke out in a cold sweat.
So, in the NBA, never underestimate any team.Maybe, that night, a certain player will suddenly explode.However, Donovan has been very cautious.
The Mavericks are in very good shape recently. They ushered in a strong rebound at the end of 2017, even defeating the Raptors and Pelicans.Rookie Dennis Smith played quite well, the Mavericks considered a good player.
For the Thunder, this game was not as easy as imagined.Although Paul George returned, the team's defensive core Robertson was absent due to patellar tendinitis.This made it difficult for them to face the Mavericks' offense.Among the Thunder's existing players, there is no one who can replace Robertson.Regardless of the old driver's age, if there is no strong defender to restrain him, he can still cause huge damage.
We can only pin our hopes on Grant and Collison.But the old one and the young one are really embarrassing.
Still, those are things Donovan and his coaching staff need to consider.As a player, An Luo only needs to do his own thing well.He doesn't have Rondo's talent.
In the end, Donovan let Grant replace Robertson at the starting four.There were no changes to the other starters.
Compared with the previous game, the Mavericks' starting lineup has changed a lot.Nowitzki returned to the starting lineup, but he appeared in the fifth position.In position four is Maxi Colleber.This guy, An Luo, has heard of him. He is in Germany, and he is also Nowitzki's fellow countryman.But the ability is very general.The third position is Barnes, currently the most capable player in the Mavericks.In the backcourt are rookies Dennis Smith and Wesley Matthews.
At the beginning of the game, the old driver naturally couldn't jump over Adams, and the Thunder won the ball.
Westbrook drove the ball forward and, when he was close to the three-point line, passed the ball to Paul George on the right.Grant leans out and does a pick-and-roll.But Barnes and Collebel switched defenses in a timely manner, and Paul George had to hang the ball to Adams under the basket.After the latter got the ball, he made a small throw.
Unfortunately, the ball bounced twice on the basket, but still missed.
There was a sigh from the audience.I thought that everyone could sit down and watch the game with peace of mind, but after these two bumps, it seems that the time to sit down will have to wait later.
But this time, Westbrook rushed to the basket like a bolt of lightning.Both legs exerted force suddenly, and the whole person soared into the sky.With his right hand raised high, before the opponent's player, he grabbed the falling basketball and dialed it into the basket.
After a burst of cheers like a tsunami, Thunder fans sat down in their seats with peace of mind.
Looking back, Smith dribbled forward with the ball and assisted Kolebel, who made a mid-range jumper and missed.
The Thunder continued to attack.Because the Mavericks have an old driver present, their speed is naturally inferior to the Thunder.Westbrook and Adams seized this opportunity and directly hit each other with a weak footing.Finally, Adams scored a layup.
4:0, the Thunder's offense is not bad.Robertson's absence has not caused any major problems for the time being.
Subsequently, the Mavericks played a beautiful match.
Barnes received a pass from Smith from outside the right three-point line, and then under the cover of Collebel's pick-and-roll, he instantly got rid of Paul George's defense and went directly to the basket.Grant was not decisive enough when switching defenses, and was seized by the opponent and got half of the position.Although his excellent wingspan and jumping make him a great deterrent behind local players, and in previous games, he also had beautiful chasing caps from time to time.But this time, Barnes was not given that chance.
With the completion of this goal, the Mavericks also found their own offensive rhythm while breaking the scoring shortage.Barnes continued to use the pick-and-roll to cover Grant, which caused great trouble for the Thunder.But fortunately, their offensive Mavericks are even more unstoppable.Therefore, at the end of the first quarter, the Thunder still led by 32:28.
The stalemate continued until 2 minutes left in the game.
An Luo found an open opportunity in the left corner through his running position and hit his sixth personal three-pointer of the game.Help the Thunder take the lead again with 6:103.
At this time, the Mavericks didn't feel any difference.In this game, the Thunder regained the lead many times.Even Carlisle believes his players will come back soon.
But then, when Matthews passed the ball to Smith, he was intercepted by An Luo.This is already his 5th steal of the game!The ability of the master level is really too strong.Before Matthews made a shot, he had already anticipated that the other party might do that.
An Luo, who succeeded in the steal, took the ball across the center line by himself.But at this time, Westbrook has rushed to the basket.Without thinking about it, he raised his hand and made a long pass, pushing the ball directly over the basket.
Westbrook, who rushed to the basket, flew up again, straightened his right arm, and after receiving the ball, he pressed the ball directly into the basket.
The alley-oop from the two guards made the entire Chesapeake Energy Arena boil.
Next, the Thunder firmly stabilized their advantage.And when the opponent had to use foul tactics, both Westbrook and Grant made free throws steadily.
In the end, the Thunder defeated the visiting Dallas people 113:109 in their own appearance.
The Thunder fans after the win were very happy, but they did not forget to applaud Nowitzki.This veteran officially ushered in his No.20 year in the league.It deserves everyone's applause.
(End of this chapter)