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at the post-match press conference.
When Zhao Chen was asked which team he hoped to compete in the next round of competition.
Zhao Chen said: "We are looking forward to the challenge. No matter which team we face, I will take the opponent seriously and study their videos and tactics."
The reporter was obviously not satisfied with Zhao Chen's answer and continued to ask: "What if I can only choose one of the two."
Zhao Chen knew that the media would not give up, so he had to reply: "I watched every game of the Trail Blazers. They have many offensive points and each position is relatively balanced. From this perspective, I would rather deal with the Houston Rockets. "
The two sides have met 4 times this season, with the Thunder sweeping the Rockets.
Then Zhao Chen added: "This should be what you expect to see. Don't you want to see James Harden versus Russell and KD? I really hope to see it."
When Zhao Chen spoke, he was like a crowd watching the fun.
The reporters laughed.
Ridiculing Westbrook and Durant in front of these two people, only Zhao Chen on the Thunder team dared to do this.
Zhao Chen continued: "I was just joking. I like competition and challenges. Winning against the strongest opponents will make me excited. I like to play against strong teams. This can test my strength. Our next step is to fight Entering the finals, no matter whether the opponent is the Trail Blazers or the Rockets, I will not be careless, and we will not be satisfied just because we passed the first round. I am very excited tonight, but I will not be satisfied."
Zhao Chen's answer was very appropriate.
Westbrook then said: "No matter who the opponent is, we have an advantage. We know these two teams very well and know everything about them. They are both experienced and strong teams."
Durant said: "Our next round will be very difficult because it is a higher-level confrontation. I can't wait."
...........
While the Thunder defeated the Grizzlies to advance to the second round, other games were also very hot.
Among these other games, Zhao Chen only paid attention to the game between the Trail Blazers and the Rockets. After the interview, he sat in the locker room and watched TV with his teammates.
Watching football is mainly about the atmosphere.
The winner of this series will become the Thunder's opponent in the next round.
The game between the Trail Blazers and the Rockets was very fierce. In the first four games, they played three overtimes. This situation has only happened three times in history.
The two teams are currently tied at 2-2.
The game between the two sides took place after the Thunder, and G5 was their battle at Tianwangshan.
This series is different from the previous life in Zhao Chen's memory. In the previous life, the Trail Blazers eliminated the Rockets, but in this generation, the Trail Blazers are in danger.
Zhao Chen understands this difference. It can be seen from the three overtimes in four games that the Trail Blazers and Rockets are evenly matched in strength.
As long as there is a variable in the game, the outcome of the game will be different.
Zhao Chen has been in the NBA for a long time, and the butterfly effect he brings has always affected the league.
In this game, neither team had a strong ability to control the situation. The Rockets were chased back several times when leading by double digits.
With 9 minutes and 22 seconds left in the fourth quarter, Jeremy Lin hit consecutive shots and the Rockets led 91-82.
Unfortunately, the Rockets made consecutive mistakes. The Trail Blazers seized the opportunity and went on an 8-0 run, trailing only 90-91 with 7 minutes and 39 seconds left in the game.
The Rockets gave their opponents opportunities many times, but the Trail Blazers failed to seize them.
Harden, who had previously made 0 of 6 three-pointers, hit a three-pointer with 3 minutes and 11 seconds left in the game. Jones also grabbed an offensive rebound and made a tip-in. The Rockets scored 7 points in a row, with 1 point left in the game. Leading 107-98 at 29 seconds.
In the end, the Rockets won the game thrillingly, leading the Trail Blazers with a big score of 3 to 2.
Jeremy Lin scored a career playoff-high 21 points and became a hero for the Rockets. He also had 4 assists.
Dwight Howard had 21 points and 9 rebounds, Chandler Parsons had 18 points, James Harden made 6 of 16 shots and had 17 points and 8 assists, and Asik had 8 points and 16 rebounds.
Zhao Chen reprinted Jeremy Lin's victory as soon as the game ended and achieved season-high statistics.
It is not easy for yellow people to survive in the NBA. Zhao Chen knows how difficult it is for Jeremy Lin to score 21 points.
But Zhao Chen's Twitter was ridiculed by fans.
"Zhao, is your tweet a mockery?"
"Jamie's 21 points is the highest of the season? It seems that my standards are very high."
"After watching Zhao Chen's game, I realized that our requirements for Jamie Lin have increased."
"Don't treat Zhao Chen as an ordinary person, this guy is a pervert."
........
Zhao Chen ignored the fans' teasing. He and Jeremy Lin would exchange business bragging in public places and on social platforms.
"Zhao, it looks like Houston will be our opponent in the next round." After watching the game, Westbrook picked up his backpack and prepared to leave.
"Well, the probability of them is relatively high. Go back and prepare well." Zhao Chen also packed his things and walked out with Westbrook.
"Russell, did James Harden go to a nightclub in Miami during the Finals?" Zhao Chen asked gossiping on the road.
Zhao Chen was also very curious about the news circulated by the media in his previous life.
"No, that's what the Miami media spread. Although James likes to play, he won't mess around. The Finals is the game we all long for. Their media is very treacherous." Westbrook walked.
"Did you know in advance about trading James?" Zhao Chen asked.
"No, I had just received my second contract at the time, and the team didn't ask me about the deal. If I had known, I would have blocked the deal." Westbrook said a little aggrievedly when he thought about this.
It was obvious that he was dissatisfied with the trade of Harden after the Finals.
Back then, Westbrook took the initiative to cut his salary and renew his contract in order to keep Harden and Ibaka. He sacrificed a lot, but what he got in exchange was not an answer he was satisfied with.
Westbrook and Zhao Chen communicated very candidly, without hiding too much.
In Westbrook's perception, Zhao Chen is a good friend. Zhao Chen is very mature and will not gossip in front of the media.
After Zhao Chen asked several questions in a row, Westbrook stopped and asked Zhao Chen a question: "Zhao, will you choose to renew your contract with the team in the summer?"
Westbrook looked at Zhao Chen with sincere eyes.
Zhao Chen replied: "This is beyond my control. It depends on the team's salary space and the height we have reached this year. But what I want to tell you is that I am very happy to play with you and KD here."
Zhao Chen has already considered the contract issue, and he still doesn't have an answer yet.
Westbrook nodded: "We'll discuss it in the summer. Whatever you decide, just tell me in advance."
Westbrook did not force Zhao Chen to make any promise. He knew that such things included Zhao Chen's inability to make a decision now.
There is still a long time to go and there are too many variables.
"Of course, I will communicate with you in advance." Zhao Chen said affirmatively.
This is not Durant, who just left without saying a word.
