Lu Yao and Howard jumped up at the same time, reaching out to grab the ball in the air.
From the beginning, the two engaged in a fierce physical confrontation in the air, with no one wanting to take advantage of the other.
But Lu Yao's wingspan and jumping are better than Howard, and he touched the ball before Howard.
When Lu Yao touched the ball, he thought that Howard had become the loser in this jump ball.
Lu Yao picked up the ball with his little hand and pointed the ball directly towards himself.
West, who came on the bench to become the starter, had quick eyesight and quick hands to protect the ball. After Lu Yao landed, he safely handed the ball to Lu Yao.
This means that the Thunder will have the initiative in the first round.
Having the initiative can do a lot.
After Lu Yao received the pass, he did not launch an attack quickly. Without Westbrook's assistance in this game, an excessively fast offensive rhythm would only lead to mistakes.
He slowly brought the ball to the top of the arc, and faced Howard who was facing him.
Howard, who was on defense, did not forget to talk trash.
"Chinese boy, you look like a weakling. Do you dare to rape me?"
"Why didn't you reply? Are you afraid of me?"
Lu Yao smiled disdainfully and said only four words.
"It's really noisy."
Immediately, Lu Yao took a step back, catching Howard off guard. Then he faced Howard on the wing and shot a three-pointer.
After the ball drew a perfect arc in the air, it fell steadily into the basket.
Suddenly, the entire energy center burst into violent cheers.
Westbrook and Durant, who were sitting on the sidelines, also laughed when they saw this scene.
"Russell, it seems that Lu Yao feels good tonight."
“We can rest easy as we leave the game to him.”
Watching the ball fall into the basket, Howard's face was a little livid.
After all, just after taunting Lu Yao with the front foot, Lu Yao scored the first goal of the game with the back foot above his head.
For him, it was still a bit embarrassing and he was not in a good mood.
Even so, Howard still had to go to the basket to pick up the ball, go to the baseline and pass the ball back to Harden's organization.
After Harden received the ball, he directed his teammates to get into position, and he trotted with the ball across the half court to the top of the arc to organize this round of offense.
What he faced was Robertson, a good outside defender.
Although Robertson's perimeter defense ability has not yet fully evolved, his perimeter defense is already outstanding.
But in Harden's eyes now, playing Robertson alone is like playing through a sieve.
Now Harden is so angry that he has nowhere to vent, so he has no choice but to vent his anger on Robertson.
Immediately, Harden continued to dribble forward with a full rhythm. Robertson, who was guarding Harden, couldn't help but feel nervous.
Because he doesn't know where Harden will go next.
After all, Harden's moves are not only diverse, but his breakthrough speed is also extremely fast. It is indeed a headache for defensive players.
After finding an opportunity, Harden made a quick change of direction and broke through to Robertson's right side.
Robertson was half a beat too slow to react, and was immediately pulled back by Harden.
After reacting, Robertson quickly caught up with Harden to prevent Harden from rushing directly into the paint.
Did you ever think that the moment he posted Harden, Harden immediately retreated and distanced himself from Robertson.
Robertson was left walking forward, but Harden had already understood his every move.
He glanced disdainfully at Robertson, who was shaken away by him, with a mocking tone, and then took a mid-range shot.
The ball fell steadily into the basket. This goal helped the Rockets chase the score to one point.
This goal can be regarded as a response to Lu Yao's three-pointer against Howard.
After scoring, Harden glanced at Lu Yao. The two looked at each other, and the air was suddenly filled with the smell of gunpowder.
The dispute between the two started from this moment.
Ibaka came to the baseline to serve and handed the ball to Lu Yao to sort out the Thunder's offense.
After Lu Yao received the ball, he chose to run towards the frontcourt with the ball himself, advancing extremely fast.
A few steps away from the three-point line, Lu Yao decisively shot a three-pointer before Howard in front of him could react.
The ball in the air seemed like a bomb falling into the water representing the Rockets basket, and a splash suddenly exploded.
A three-pointer went into the net, 6:2! Lu Yao used two three-pointers in the opening game to help the Thunder establish an initial lead.
At this moment, Howard's face became even more livid.
Now he has a score to settle with Lu Yao.
Lu Yao hit two consecutive three-pointers over his head, not to mention that Howard had also mocked Lu Yao before.
This is Lu Yao's best response to Howard, scoring consecutive goals.
Now Howard is like a transparent person on the court, becoming Lu Yao's background.
Thinking of this, Howard's face became even more ugly.
Harden on the side snorted. Naturally, he didn't like Howard very much.
What Howard brings to people is completely negative energy, and he is the only positive energy. Therefore, his reputation has dropped rapidly in the past two years.
What's more, now, Howard has conceded two goals in a row.
After Harden received the ball, he also quickly advanced towards the frontcourt, two steps in front of the logo, and decisively shot a three-pointer.
With the same ultra-long three-point shot as Lu Yao, is it possible that Harden wants to hit another shot in response?
The audience present immediately held their breath.
The ball in the air was like a shooting star, leaving scratches in the air and then quickly falling into the basket.
Harden's incredible goal immediately ignited the Rockets' bench.
At the same time, this three-pointer helped the Rockets catch up to only 1 point.
From the beginning to the present, the four wonderful goals contributed by Lu Yao and Harden can be said to be a pleasure for the audience to watch.
Every ball is highly entertaining and has responses. Who doesn't like to watch such a game.
Seeing that the score was narrowed again, Lu Yao naturally couldn't sit idly by.
After receiving the pass at the baseline, Lu Yao took aim at Robertson, who had already rushed to the frontcourt, and made a long pass, accurately passing the ball into his hands.
After Robertson received the ball, he immediately hit a one-arm dunk.
Not to be outdone, the Rockets quickly switched offense and defense. Howard had already come to the backcourt and received a pass from Harden in the frontcourt.
When he saw Howard about to rush into the paint and hit an explosive dunk.
Lu Yao came out to kill him at this moment.
When Howard jumped high, Lu Yao also jumped on the other side of Howard, preparing to block the shot on his other side.
Howard snorted coldly and was about to dunk Lu Yao directly, but what surprised him was that he couldn't beat Lu Yao.
The ball in his hand was grabbed fiercely by Lu Yao!
