Both starting players remained on the court.
Lakers starting lineup: Zhao Chen, Kobe, Covington, Tucker, Jokic.
Although Zhao Chen can play positions 1, 2, 3, and 4, Scott did not easily change Zhao Chen's characteristics and let Zhao Chen play position 3 and put Rose in the starting lineup.
Rose came to the Lakers to play as Zhao Chen's substitute.
Warriors starting lineup: Curry, Thompson, Barnes, Green, Bogut.
Barnes' contract expires this year, and the Warriors have some doubts about whether to renew him, because his offensive power is somewhat insufficient for the Warriors.
Comparing the lineups of both sides, fans and the media felt that Zhao Chen's situation of playing Curry in various singles last season was about to happen again.
Curry will definitely not be able to defend Zhao Chen one-on-one.
Bogut won on a jump ball.
The Lakers did not use zone defense tactics. The Warriors' three-pointers are notoriously terrible. If they were to defend in a zone, they would be killed.
The Lakers use man-to-man combined with unlimited switching defense.
When Curry met Zhao Chen, he didn't have much desire for singles, so he gave the ball to Bogut inside.
Many experts believe that Curry needs to change the way he plays against Zhao Chen and try to avoid one-on-one offense and defense with Zhao Chen.
Curry needs to combine his running position with three-point shooting range to deal with Zhao Chen.
Bogut plays very tough. His little brother was kicked and injured by Zhao Chen in the Western Conference Finals last season, causing him to miss the Western Conference Finals. This made him extremely frustrated.
That kick still has residual effects...
Bogut hit Jokic with the ball, lowered his center of gravity, turned around with the ball, and hit his elbow.
Jokic immediately moved the ball back to avoid the elbow.
Bogut took this opportunity to take the ball one step inside and hit the board with a light layup.
"Beep!"
The referee also whistled Jokic for a blocking foul.
Jokic complained to the referee about Bogut's elbow, but the referee ignored it and continued to implement the extra penalty.
Jokic looked at Zhao Chen resentfully, knowing that Bogut was playing with anger.
If it were him, he would be angry too.
Bogut's extra penalty hit!
"Uh-huh!"
3 to 0.
When Bogut was taking a free throw, the close-up shot was intentionally or unintentionally focused on his lower body.
The fans at Staples Center roared with laughter.
According to gossip, Bogut's girlfriend broke up with him after the Western Conference Finals, and made a big revelation: "Andrew can't last more than a minute now!"
Although Bogut denied it, all fans chose to believe it...
And teased like crazy.
Lakers offense.
Jokic put up a screen to help Zhao Chen block Thompson who was guarding him.
Bogut's screen was a little slow, and Zhao Chen moved sideways to the left and then took a small step back and shot a three-pointer!
Zhao Chen made the ball very easily. The basketball drew a beautiful arc and went directly into the frame!
3 to 3.
Rose off the court looked thoughtfully at Zhao Chen's easy scoring method.
Rose is not good at shooting three-pointers. Most of his points come from breakthroughs and free throws.
This way of scoring is too inefficient compared to Zhao Chen.
Bogut hates guarding pick-and-rolls because his steps are not fast enough, and he doesn't want to switch defenses when facing Zhao Chen. He is worried that Zhao Chen will kick him again.
This kind of defensive intensity makes Zhao Chen very relaxed.
Warriors attack.
This time Curry hit the ground and passed to Barnes who was cutting inside.
Barnes transferred the ball to Green at the free throw line, and Green kept passing the ball to Thompson in the bottom corner.
Thompson clicked on Kobe, moved sideways, stopped suddenly, and shot a two-pointer from mid-range!
Score steadily!
5 to 3.
The Warriors' advantage lies in moving the ball. If they fall down frequently, it will be difficult for the Lakers' defense to guard them.
Scott knows the Warriors' style of play, but there is nothing he can do about it. What man-to-man defense is afraid of is such frequent passing of the ball.
The Lakers don't have a top frame protector inside, so they can only limit the Warriors through unlimited defense changes.
But defense is always a passive side. If the Warriors pass the ball fast enough, the Lakers' defense will have little effect.
Barkley said: "The Warriors are the team most likely to defeat the Lakers. Their lineups are similar to a certain extent. The two sides will have a fierce battle tonight."
Smith said: "The Warriors haven't changed much from last season, and the result is just a loss."
Lakers offense.
Jokic and Tucker stood outside the three-point line at the same time.
Zhao Chen held the ball and moved sideways to the right as if he was going to follow up with a jump shot. This time both Green and Bogut made the save.
Zhao Chen's outside threat is too great, and the Warriors' insiders dare not be careless in the slightest.
Zhao Chen directly smashed the ball to the ground and passed the ball to Jokic who was down the line.
Zhao Chen is rushing to assist when he distributes the ball, but Jokic is also rushing to assist when receiving the ball.
Facing an empty basket, Jokic missed the ball, and Jokic passed the ball to Covington in the bottom corner.
Covington's three-point shooting percentage is just over 40%, so it is not difficult to grasp the ball in an open position.
The knife falls from the hand! !
"Uh-huh!"
5 to 6
"Boss, I'm sorry, I stole an assist from you." Jokic said awkwardly, touching his head.
Jokic hesitated for an empty basket, but instinctively chose to distribute the ball.
"You should be lucky that you made the three-pointer." Zhao Chen patted Jokic's big butt.
In Zhao Chen's previous life, Jokic liked organizing passes more than scoring.
During the few seasons he played in the Nuggets, he fed his teammates well.
Jokic averaged 20.1 points, 10.8 rebounds and 7.3 assists per game in the season that Zhao Chen traveled through. Judging from the data, you know what kind of player Jokic is. Simply put, he can score, Can pick up rebounds and assists.
On the offensive end, Jokic can use his basic skills like many insiders to fight opponents in the paint. Moreover, Jokic can do many things that center players cannot do - such as shooting from outside the three-point line. Take the shot.
Secondly, Jokic also did a good job in protecting rebounds.
Jokic averaged 10.3 rebounds per game, and he also has another assist number that not only centers can't do, but even many point guards can't match. Behind the 7.3 assists is his strong overall view. As well as passing vision, and even a super high basketball IQ.
When holding the ball in the high post, Jokic can find openings for Patton and Harris' cuts;
Holding the ball in the elbow area, he can play various exquisite cooperation with defenders such as Murray;
Being in the low position can attract double teams and pass the ball. If necessary, he can show off his hands and show his dream footsteps. Then coupled with his range, this also means that he can open up space for his teammates.
As a center, Jokic has everything that other players should have, and he also has what other players don't have - this is where he is really strong.
Jokic himself has a very solid foundation, which is also the reason why he has made the fastest and most obvious progress.
Jokic is even more prosperous when partnered with a top defender like Zhao Chen!
