Lu Yao is measured. In the last game, under his leadership, the Thunder defeated the powerful Warriors. The media and fans focused on him.
Although the atmosphere in the team is still very harmonious, Lu Yao's status in the team is obviously higher.
Second Young Master Dewey naturally felt unhappy.
Therefore, in this game, Lu Yao deliberately held less of the ball at the beginning.
All offensive opportunities were given to Dewey.
2:2, Clippers attack.
The voice of Staples Arena was suppressed by Westbrook. This is Westbrook's ability.
He is always the most passionate one on the court. Whether he is leading or lagging behind, whether it is home or away, he will go all out and never slack off!
Paul held the ball past half court and called a screen again, but this time it was not Jordan, but Griffin.
Griffin has made great progress this season. He is no longer a rough guy who only knows how to dunk, but has practiced post-up and ball-handling attacks.
The pick-and-roll between him and Paul is more threatening and changes a lot.
Griffin blocked Westbrook, Paul went to the left again, and Griffin went to the penalty area.
Ibaka was replaced in front of Paul, and Westbrook was obviously unable to defend Griffin.
Paul had quick eyes and quick hands. He flicked his little hand and handed the ball to Griffin.
Griffin singled out Westbrook and ran toward the penalty area.
Durant immediately came over to help defend, preparing to double-team Griffin.
But Griffin's skills are very delicate. He dribbled the ball from his hips and turned around, and he actually shook Durant away.
Coming to the right side of the paint area, Griffin wanted to make a mid-range kick.
This season, Griffin is quietly transforming from a violent power forward to a technical power forward.
Griffin's mid-range shooting percentage reached 52% this season, which is very good.
Just when he was about to make a comfortable mid-range throw, Lu Yao came over from nowhere, stretched out his big hand, and bang!
The ball flew away directly.
Griffin thought that his skills could evade all defenses, but unexpectedly, Lu Yao still chased him.
It’s so hard to cry without tears!
There were only 3 seconds left in the Clippers' attack time. Griffin's face was ashen and he raised his hand again to ask his teammates to serve him the ball directly.
At the same time, Griffin glanced at Lu Yao, his meaning was very obvious, as if to say: If you have the ability, come and defend me alone, don't let me make a sneak attack!
Lu Yao saw what he meant and smiled.
Now that he has an iron-clad defense, is he still afraid of Griffin? What a joke.
Barnes served a sideline pass directly to Griffin.
With only 3 seconds left, Lu Yao directly defended him.
What Griffin was waiting for was Lu Yao. He used an extraordinary skill, dribbling under his hips continuously, then turning around and shooting a fadeaway jumper!
It is indeed rare for a power forward to be able to make such an action, and the defender will be stunned.
Unfortunately, he was facing Lu Yao.
Lu Yao followed Griffin closely at his feet, never leaving.
The moment he turned around, Lu Yao took off early.
Because time was running out, Lu Yao bet that Griffin would definitely take off.
This is defensive awareness!
For a rookie to be able to perform such superb defensive skills, Griffin was really speechless.
The moment Griffin took action, Lu Yao took off early and blocked the ball again.
This time it was even more outrageous. Lu Yao grabbed the ball directly instead of fanning it out of bounds.
After grabbing the hat, Lu Yao immediately launched a counterattack.
He even passed the ball to Westbrook in the air without greed for credit.
Westbrook's fast break is also unique, too fast.
Although Paul is very stable, his absolute explosiveness is definitely not as good as that of Venus Westbrook.
Paul gave up halfway through the chase and could only watch helplessly as David Westbrook showed off his bow and shot the Eagle again, bang!
A dunk gave the Thunder the lead on the road.
4:2!
Although Westbrook's dunk was explosive, most of the credit for this goal belongs to Lu Yao.
After thwarting Griffin's attacks twice in a row, the two became enemies.
The cheers of the fans at Staples Center became smaller and smaller, and they felt the power of the Thunder.
They all say that the Thunder's offense is invincible, but today they saw how terrifying the Thunder's defense is.
The forward group composed of Adams, Ibaka, and Durant was originally airtight, but now with the addition of Lu Yao, it is even more impregnable.
Clippers coach Rivers' face turned green.
He is very satisfied with the Clippers' lineup and is ready to do big things.
Unexpectedly, at the beginning of the game, the Clippers, who were full of momentum, were caught off guard by the Thunder.
All plans were disrupted.
He wanted to call a timeout, but the game had just begun, so he held back.
Clippers offense.
Paul did not cooperate this time, but sneaked a three-pointer.
Really stable!
Westbrook didn't even react to this three-pointer, blah!
Hollow hit!
The home fans, who had been depressed for a long time, finally regained their breath, shouted loudly, and the Staples Arena burst into jubilation.
This is Paul!
The control of the rhythm of the game is too strong!
5:4!
The Clippers took the lead again.
Thunder offense.
Westbrook held the ball in the backcourt, but passed the ball directly to Lu Yao.
This is also a tacit understanding on the court. Lu Yao made a great contribution just now, so Westbrook gave the ball to Lu Yao and let him play one more time.
But Lu Yao has a higher emotional intelligence. After he caught the ball, he saw that Durant was in a good position and it was an offensive position he was good at, so he passed the ball to Durant.
Facing Barnes' defense, Durant made a drastic change of direction, and then directly made a move!
This season, Durant is still at his peak. His offense is really incomprehensible, and he has all kinds of tricks at his fingertips. It's so smooth.
Barnes is also a defensive warrior, but in front of Durant, he has no moves at all.
Uh-huh!
Got two points!
The Thunder took the lead again.
In the next few rounds, both sides played well and the scores increased alternately.
The first quarter lasted for more than 7 minutes, and the score reached 15:13, with the Thunder leading by 2 points.
Rivers called a timeout.
Although the point difference was not big, the Clippers were suppressed severely.
Just like the Warriors in the last game, the attack that used to be like mercury pouring down the ground couldn't be fought at all!
Some neutral fans were slightly disappointed, as they had expected an offensive battle between the two sides.
But the game was intense, more like a defensive battle.
The Clippers did not play the role of "Lob City". Instead, they were restrained by the Thunder's defense, which was very awkward.
Rivers held the tactical board in his hand and kept talking, but he also knew that the Clippers' rhythm lies with Paul.
The timeout ended and both sides replaced substitute players one after another.
Durant and Adams went to rest and were replaced by Kanter and Waiters.
The Clippers replaced Griffin and Barnes, but Paul was still on the court.
Durant came off the court to rest, and Lu Yao took on the offensive responsibility.
Westbrook and Lu Yao played vigorously inside and outside, and the score was immediately opened.
