"With 28 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists, no one expected that the Thunder's super rookie proved to everyone in the first half that he has the ability to fight hard." Barkley shouted.
"Yes, Kevin Durant was not in good condition. He scored 8 points in the first half. It was Zhao Chen and Westbrook who took up the offensive banner together. This ensured that the Thunder still maintained its position even when they were exploded in the paint. Lead,” shouted Kenny Smith.
"Maybe we can look forward to whether Zhao Chen can break the rookie playoff debut record in the second half. This little guy is always so surprising. Kenny, what is the rookie playoff debut record? I just remember it is Rose and Kareem's record," Barkley said.
“In 2009, Derrick Rose, who was only 20 years old, made his career playoff debut against the defending champion Celtics. In that game, Rose led the Bulls to a 105-105 away victory in overtime. 103 defeated the Celtics, he scored 36 points and 11 assists, 36 points is also a rookie scoring record in the first playoff game." Kenny Smith said very professionally.
That game was narrated by him.
Kenny Smith proves that as well as being funny, he also has solid expertise.
"Only 36 points! It seems Zhao is very promising." Barkley said.
"Haha, Zhao has raised my expectations for rookies. After he appeared, I wasn't too surprised by how many high scores the rookies scored." Kenny Smith said.
Zhao Chen's rookie scoring record is 71 points in a single game and a triple-double. This record is unparalleled and sturdy.
"Yeah, me too, he's so unique," Barkley said.
Not only were the commentators discussing Zhao Chen's performance in the first half, domestic fans were also having various shocking discussions.
"The performance in the first half was too domineering."
"Zhao Chen is a little different from the regular season. There are not only various technical styles, but also various flying styles."
"I still like Zhao Chen's retreat the most. As long as he retreats, there are all kinds of facial shots. It seems to be an unreasonable shot, but he made it a reasonable shot."
"Yes, at the beginning, I also thought it was unreasonable to shoot against someone, but now, Zhao Chen has changed my mind."
"The playoffs are a stage for super giants to perform, and Zhao Chen is a super giant, with 28+6+6 at halftime!"
Domestic fans on the Internet were immersed in Zhao Chen's various highlights in the first half.
Watching Zhao Chen's live games always makes fans' adrenaline soar.
Thunder locker room.
In the half-time arrangement, Coach Brooks emphasized the team's interior defense issues.
The Grizzlies scored 40 points inside in the first half, almost treating the Thunder's inside defense as nothing.
If the game continues like this, the game will be uncomfortable, especially when the Grizzlies attack Zhao Chen from a double attack, the Thunder's offensive efficiency has already declined somewhat.
If they want to win, the Thunder must defend the interior well.
Brooks also thought of a good response strategy to the Grizzlies' attack on Zhao Chen.
The Grizzlies emphasized their continued attack on Zhao Chen.
The Thunder's decline in the second half of the second quarter gave the Grizzlies hope of winning.
The second half started quickly.
The Thunder sent out a lineup of Westbrook, Zhao Chen, Durant, Ibaka, and Perkins.
Veteran Fisher has been abandoned, and his experience is not suitable for the Thunder.
Brooks is ready to use this lineup to continue to open up the score.
The Grizzlies have the entire starting lineup.
The game resumes.
Grizzlies offense.
Conley held the ball through half court, and Westbrook was on defense.
The player Zhao Chen was guarding was Tony Allen. Tony Allen's offensive ability was not outstanding. Brooks also asked Zhao Chen to flank the Black and White Bears inside at any time.
Conley still lobbed the ball to Gasol inside.
Gasol did not dribble, but directly took a tentative step and suddenly hit Perkins at a 45-degree position with a high rebound.
Perkins didn't pounce, and the basketball rebounded and scored!
59 to 63
Gasol's shooting is his special skill for scoring, and it is difficult for ordinary big men to pull him out to guard against this trick.
Perkins smashed the basketball in frustration.
Gasol and Randolph both felt great shooting today, which also caused the Thunder insiders to not know how to guard these two people.
Brooks frowned at Perkins' defense.
Originally, the Thunder introduced Perkins because of his role with the Celtics, but now it seems that this role is not obvious.
Perkins' powerful play style in the Celtics relies more on the defensive system formed by Garnett.
If he was really allowed to go out on his own, the result would be that Perkins' poor mobility and lack of offensive ability were all exposed.
This mid-range also slightly suppressed the Thunder's momentum at home.
The Grizzlies kept clenching the score, but the Thunder still couldn't be careless.
Westbrook dribbled and pushed forward.
Zhao Chen is constantly making moves without the ball.
When paired with Westbrook and Durant, his first choice is to run into the open space. It is a bit difficult for him to take his turn with the ball in singles.
Westbrook gave the ball to Durant first, and Durant did not need to cover.
Continuous big changes of direction shook Courtney Lee away, and he strode forward to kill.
Durant, who had a bad touch, chose to go directly to the basket. Durant was flanked by Randolph and Gasol.
When watching the ball about to be blocked, Durant saw Zhao Chen waving to him from the bottom corner in the distance.
Although Zhao Chen cannot hold the ball, he enjoys the benefits of partnering with Westbrook and Durant. These two have strong defensive containment, and he has many opportunities.
Durant smashed the ball over.
Zhao Chen in the bottom corner caught the ball and shot.
Negative angle, textbook-level shooter posture.
Wonderful arc.
"Uh-huh!"
59 to 66
Zhao Chen raised the knife and scored another three-pointer!
"Oh, thanks to the cooperation between Durant and Zhao Chen, Durant attracted the defense and then gave the ball to Zhao Chen. Zhao Chen hit a three-pointer from the bottom corner!!" Zhang Weiping shouted.
"This is the problem with the Grizzlies' defense. They can't ignore Durant holding the ball and flank Zhao Chen who is running without the ball." Yu Jia said.
"Coach Brooks has also noticed that Zhao Chen will be flanked when he holds the ball. Now he won't let Zhao Chen hold the ball. Let's see how the Grizzlies respond." Zhang Weiping shouted.
Grizzlies offense.
Conley initiated a pick-and-roll, Randolph put up a screen, and the Thunder switched defense.
Randolph and Westbrook formed a mismatch, and Conley immediately hit the ground to pass.
"boom!"
Randolph caught the ball and hit Westbrook with his back.
No matter how strong Westbrook is, he is still a point guard. This kind of tonnage mismatch is too big.
Zhao Chen immediately went over to attack from a flank.
Under the attack of the two, Randolph was overconfident and chose a turnaround jumper.
This is not the way Randolph likes to attack. The basketball bounces high on the rim.
Ibaka protected the rebound.
Ibaka passed the ball to Zhao Chen nearby.
Zhao Chen dribbled the ball past half-court.
Zhao Chen was flanked by Grizzlies players as soon as he passed halftime.
The Grizzlies are unwilling to give Zhao Chen a chance to play in isolation with the ball.
Indeed, the double attack will have a very good restrictive effect on Zhao Chen, but the Thunder also have two other MVP-level players.
Zhao Chen was flanked and gave the ball to Westbrook.
Westbrook was also very decisive, passing Courtney Lee who was guarding him with a scissor step and heading towards the basket.
Randolph and Gasol no longer dare to flank Westbrook at the same time.
Randolph defended alone, and Westbrook directly attacked.
Westbrook used one step faster to pass Randolph, took off, lifted into the air, hooked the ball with one hand, bent to the extreme, and dunked with a tomahawk.
59 to 68.
"Ah!!!" Westbrook roared!
Release your domineering power! !
Zhao Chen went over to have a passionate exchange with Westbrook.
To be honest, Zhao Chen is envious of Westbrook's explosive dunk ability.
All men like to dunk, and Zhao Chen is no exception.
Now his talent has improved, but his dunks are still not as domineering as Westbrook's.
