Everything is going on in an orderly manner.
Warm up, put on your gear, get a massage, and simply eat some fruit and drink.
The Thunder's logistics staff are very conscientious. They are basically veteran employees who have worked for more than five years, and they have done all the preparations in an orderly manner.
Soon, Brooks gathered everyone together and began to make tactical arrangements.
There are many tactics for shooting rockets, and everyone has different roles and tasks.
Presti also came to the locker room to cheer up the players.
If the Thunder lose to the Rockets, the media will frantically question Presti's operation two years ago.
Presti's prestige will also take a certain hit.
Presti did not express his thoughts, but everyone could see that he might care more about winning this game than Brooks.
This is destined to be a series like no other.
During the appearance ceremony, the cheers at Chesapeake Energy Arena were as deafening as a tsunami.
Zhao Chen was the second player to appear. When the DJ called out his name, the scene reached a climax.
"Zhao Chen's efforts this season and his outstanding performance in the first round of the playoffs have been recognized by Thunder fans." Yu Jia shouted.
"Zhao Chen is now one of the most popular players in Oklahoma City. Zhao Chen will become a huge trouble for the Rockets." Zhang Weiping shouted.
This game made domestic commentators very excited.
The Rockets and Thunder are the two most popular teams in the country right now.
Before the Morey incident, the Rockets had always been the home team of the Chinese people. Even though Yao Ming retired, the Rockets still attracted more domestic attention than other NBA teams.
But now with the rise of Zhao Chen, the Thunder's record has soared, and fans are more interested in the Thunder.
The two teams faced off in the playoffs and received unprecedented attention domestically.
"Zhao Chen is awesome. The Rockets' second lineup couldn't stop Zhao Chen."
"Is Zhao Chen still playing as a substitute?"
"Zhao Chen playing as a substitute is really a nightmare for the Rockets' second team."
"We'll see later, the starting lineup is coming out soon."
Soon, fans knew the starting lineups of both sides.
Thunder starting lineup: Westbrook, Zhao Chen, Durant, Ibaka, Perkins.
Zhao Chen was placed in the starting lineup by Brooks, mainly playing against Harden.
Brooks wants to consume Harden on both offense and defense.
Rockets starting lineup: Beverley, Harden, Parsons, Jones, Howard.
Westbrook's impact was so powerful that McHale didn't dare let Jeremy Lin defend Westbrook.
In preparation for the game, Zhao Chen went out of his way to say hello to Jeremy Lin on the bench.
Zhao Chen and Jeremy Lin have no personal relationship, but they have no grudges either. They have the same skin color and respect each other.
Soon, after two minutes of preparation before the game.
The referee came to the center of the field holding the basketball.
Ibaka and Howard stood in the middle, preparing to jump the ball.
Howard averaged 18 points and 12 rebounds per game in the regular season this season. After entering the playoffs, he averaged 24 points and 14 rebounds per game. His playoff status is better than in the regular season.
The first impression Howard gave everyone was his amazing physical fitness, his bounce that allowed him to kiss the basket, his strength that allowed him to run rampant in the penalty area, his super long wingspan and explosive power like a gas explosion. He used a His explosive dunks and rebounding performance showed that he is the unique controller in the penalty area.
But Howard has the shortcomings common to many center players, such as small shooting range, high number of turnovers and low free throw shooting rate!
Beep! !
As the referee threw the ball up, Howard and Ibaka took off at the same time.
Howard's physical talent has declined somewhat compared to his peak, and Ibaka's reaction is faster.
Ibaka tipped the ball to Westbrook.
The jump ball won, and the fans at the scene immediately cheered.
Zhao Chen also ran forward quickly. Zhao Chen liked the feeling of playing at home, it felt very comfortable.
Westbrook's frontcourt organization, Zhao Chen is running, and Harden is defending Zhao Chen.
Harden was still very active in defense when playing at the Thunder's home court. Zhao Chen's first off-ball screen failed to get rid of Harden.
Westbrook gave the ball to Durant on the right side of the free throw line.
Gao Fushuai who defends Durant.
The rich and handsome man is Chandler Parsons.
As a second-round pick, Chandler Parsons is also an inspirational figure. This season, he averaged 16.5 points and 5.5 rebounds per game.
Chandler Parsons has a high basketball IQ, comprehensive skills, active running, good at using screens, the ability of a pure shooter, and skilled shooting skills.
His ball-handling ability is also very stable, and he can sometimes serve as the team's point guard.
Active in defense, he can guard most players in the 2 and 3 positions. He can also defend the opponent's 4 position players when playing small ball power forward. He fights fiercely and is never afraid of physical confrontation.
Thunder scouts rated him very highly. When Zhao Chen saw this evaluation, he also understood why Chandler Parsons was able to get a huge contract after leaving the Rockets.
The defensively active Parsons did not cause much trouble to Durant.
Durant pushed past Parsons and then took a dribble to shoot a mid-range jumper.
Parsons did not interfere with Durant.
"Uh-huh!"
Durant made a solid hit from mid-range.
0 to 2.
Durant shrugged at Parsons.
This kind of defensive pressure is not as great as what the Grizzlies brought to him.
Parsons is helpless. Durant's height and wingspan are too monster, and he has a lot of defensive pressure.
.....
In the first three rounds of the game, Durant was beating Parsons. Zhao Chen didn't even touch the ball. He just led Harden to keep moving without the ball.
Harden was annoyed by Zhao Chen.
After once using a step back to challenge Zhao Chen, he made a strong shot.
Harden spat trash talk at Zhao Chen: "Rookie, this is a step back, learn from it."
Zhao Chen didn't respond.
After the score became 3-6, Zhao Chen finally got the ball at 45 degrees on the right side.
As soon as he got the ball, Zhao Chen dribbled and dived from the right side. If it was Harden in the regular season, he might have been passed by Zhao Chen directly, but this was Harden who played against the Thunder in the playoffs. Harden was obviously more active. He blocked Zhao Chen's breakthrough line.
"boom!"
When Zhao Chen collided with Harden, Zhao Chen didn't take much advantage.
Harden's confrontation ability is the best among guards.
Zhao Chen didn't force it, but immediately pulled the ball to the left side.
Harden followed Zhao Chen's pace closely.
Zhao Chen took a sudden step to the left and then forced a retreat!
Zhao Chen's attack was very brutal, just forced.
Harden judged Zhao Chen's step back very accurately, but he was too short!
Harden's height is about 1.95 meters, and Zhao Chen's current height is about 2.02 meters.
Harden's defense was in place, but he failed to stop Zhao Chen's shot.
The basketball draws a beautiful arc.
"Uh-huh!"
An arrow pierces the heart.
3 to 9
Zhao Chen felt very happy when he responded to Harden with a step back: "Short, fat, bearded man, this is a step back for you!"
Harden's beard is a little twitchy.
