The Heat are very familiar with the Thunder, especially the isolations between Westbrook and Durant.
They are not afraid of these two people's super personal abilities.
In many previous confrontations, the Heat were not worried unless these two performed superbly.
If we play in the finals, it will be a best-of-seven game, and it is impossible to be superb in every game, so when facing the Thunder, the Heat can always take their time.
But today, the Thunder has Durant and Zhao Chen besides Westbrook standing up. This feeling is different.
Zhao Chen's existence made the Heat feel a huge threat.
Durant and Westbrook both had a tacit understanding and did not compete with Zhao Chen for any ball rights tonight. The basketball did not even stay in their hands for long. They were actively creating offensive opportunities for the rookie Zhao Chen, and then this rookie Zhao Chen scored 11 points in a row.
This is a bit scary.
The Thunder are constantly improving, to the point where they are truly a threat to them.
James and Wade kept lowering their heads to discuss the next defensive issues.
After returning from timeout.
The Heat's offense is efficient and they are constantly chasing points.
James' mid-to-long-range shooting has improved so much compared to the Cavaliers. Coupled with his breakthrough power, it is difficult for Durant to limit him.
James began to take over the Heat's offense.
As for the Thunder, although Zhao Chen's touch is very good, it cannot be the same as in the beginning. He ends every round.
The Heat also continued to flank Zhao Chen. Zhao Chen continued to pass the ball to his teammates, but his teammates had average touch, and the Heat gradually closed the score.
Zhao Chen was also replaced after playing half a quarter. The coach asked him to take a rest. Zhao Chen's attack frequency was too high. He would have to rely on Zhao Chen to lead the second lineup later.
Coach Brooks is very anxious...
Durant's touch was a bit bad today, and he was still at a certain disadvantage when confronting James.
Perhaps because he wanted to prove his ability in front of James too much, Durant faced James's shots many times.
This rhythm makes it difficult for Durant to adjust his touch.
As for Westbrook, apart from drawing a few fouls and getting to the free throw line, he didn't have many performances that could attract cameras.
The Heat restricted Westbrook's breakthrough very tightly, and the mid-range jumper that Westbrook could usually use was not available in this game.
After all, Westbrook doesn't have much confidence in his shooting. Rather than shooting, he prefers to dive in and dunk.
As Wade broke through for a layup, Ibaka scored two plus one.
With 2 minutes and 11 seconds left in the first quarter, the score between the two sides had reached 28-20.
The Thunder, who had a good start, were hit by a wave of climax in the second half of the quarter by the Heat.
This is the difficulty of the Heat. Winning at the beginning does not count as winning.
The rotation came after Coach Brooks requested a timeout.
Westbrook and Durant were taken down, and Zhao Chen was brought up again to lead the second lineup.
On the Heat's side, James, who had been attacking in various ways, also went down, and Wade was leading the team.
"Except for Zhao Chen, the other Thunder players are in average condition. If they only perform like this, it will be difficult for the Thunder to beat the Heat at home. Durant and Westbrook need to perform in line with their status." Kenny Smith shouted.
"Yes, Zhao Chen has now scored 13 points in a single quarter, but if he wants to defeat the Big Three Heat, he cannot rely on him alone. The Thunder did not do a good job in limiting James tonight. James played too easily. " Barkley said.
Durant and Westbrook returned to the bench without saying a word. Their performance tonight made the team too passive.
On the Heat side, James was chatting and laughing with his teammates, and his mood seemed very relaxed.
The game resumes.
Zhao Chen took the serve.
Without Durant and Westbrook around, Zhao Chen is more relaxed. He doesn't have to think too much about whether his teammates want to hold the ball...
Zhao Chen holds the ball at the top of the arc.
Adams took the initiative to cover and ward off Wade.
After the screen, the Heat's second-team center Anderson's defense was a beat slower.
Zhao Chen didn't pause, simply took a small step back and hid behind Adams for a jumper three-pointer.
Take action quickly and swiftly!
Wonderful arc.
"Uh-huh!"
28 to 23.
In the first round after coming up, Zhao Chen contributed a long shot.
The cheers on the scene rose again, Zhao Chen had never let them down.
He stood up when the team was in difficulty.
Birdman Anderson had no idea what to do with the ball, and Zhao Chen shot too resolutely.
Heat offense.
Wade received a pass from Chalmers and broke through directly.
Zhao Chen did not allow Wade to break through easily, but stepped in front of his breakthrough line.
Wade's continuous breakthroughs did not get rid of Zhao Chen's defense.
Although Wade is fast, not every round goes so smoothly.
Zhao Chen has a good judgment on Wade's defensive choice, which is to prevent breakthroughs.
Wade failed to break through and threw the ball to Chalmers on the right side.
Chalmers hit Lamb at the top of the arc and shot a three-pointer, but the ball missed. The rebound was firmly stuck by Adams, and Zhao Chen went over to get it.
Adams has observed that Zhao Chen's rebounds per game have been declining recently. As the first "stuck" forward and Zhao Chen's loyal younger brother, Adams also has to work hard for Zhao Chen's rebounds per game...
Zhao Chen's failure to rebound is his failure.
"The card is beautiful." Zhao Chen smiled at Adams after getting the rebound.
Adams suddenly felt that his efforts were noticed by his boss, and he was elated...
Zhao Chen dribbled the ball to the frontcourt.
After a hand-off with Robertson, facing Wade, Zhao Chen held the ball and leaned over as a triple threat.
Thunder players opened up space for Zhao Chen.
This is a familiar one-on-one challenge.
"boom!"
"boom!"
"boom!"
Facing Wade, Zhao Chen started dribbling continuously under his crotch.
Wade is very fast and he can easily keep up with Zhao Chen's speed.
But Zhao Chen's crotch dribbling is no longer much different from Deng Ge's. His crotch dribbling is full of rhythm and change, not just speed.
It's not like there's no chance at all.
After Zhao Chen made three consecutive changes of direction, he found a breakthrough space on the right side.
With a sudden step, Wade turned and chased after him.
Zhao Chen took a sharp step back and then shot a three-pointer.
Wade's reaction was quick enough and he pounced.
But Zhao Chen's shot was not blocked.
In the bursts of "Fake" and "Fuck".
Basketball creates a rainbow! ! !
"Uh-huh!"
The basketball penetrates the net!
28 to 26.
"Zhao Chen's step back on this goal only created space for his shot. It is not an absolutely reasonable goal, but he can score it. This is his personal ability. Good job." Zhang Weiping shouted.
"Damn it, Wade's got a seal on his face, all of this."
"Zhao Chen is going to be unbelievable tonight, his retreat technique is so awesome."
"Two three-pointers in a row, well done."
"Zhao Chen's score seems to be easy and comfortable."
Domestic netizens were tapping their keyboards in excitement.
Once upon a time, they cheered for heroes like Kobe and Iverson, but now, they cheer for Zhao Chen.
Wade did his best personal defense on this ball, but he just couldn't guard Zhao Chen.
Wade on the court was also shaking his head in frustration...
On the sidelines, James asked Battier: "Sean, how do you think you can defend his retreat?"
Shane Battier is a well-known defensive expert in the league and was well known to Chinese fans during his time with the Rockets.
After Battier thought for a long time, he replied: "Can we guard him from behind?"
James was puzzled: "Defending from behind?"
Battier said: "Yes, standing behind him to guard him can effectively prevent him from retreating. Just like if he shoots three-pointers in front, he will also worry about the threats behind him."
James shook his head: "I don't understand what you mean."
It's not that James didn't understand Battier's statement, but that he didn't know how to defend from behind.
Defending from behind?
Battier said: "It doesn't matter, I will go up and demonstrate it later."
Battier's idea is no different from Rubio's defense against Harden, but it's a bit bold in this era...
