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at the pre-match press conference.
McHale told reporters: "The adjustments we will make, you will see a different spirit tonight, we will do better than the last game."
McHale's words did not mention the goal of defeating the Lakers. Obviously, he did not think the Rockets had a chance to defeat the Lakers on the road.
I really lost the last game so badly that my confidence was completely destroyed.
Harden said: "I haven't been able to sleep well these two days. I take responsibility for the loss in the last game. I need to lead the team out of the predicament."
Howard said: "I hope everyone can devote themselves to defense. Only if we defend well will we have a chance to win."
The Lakers have been blown to the sky in the past two days, and the Rockets have been ignored.
It seems that everyone thinks that the Rockets are going to accept the fate of being swept by the Lakers.
This made the Rockets players feel very unhappy.
No one wants to be ignored, they also want to be respected.
In the G2 game, Beverley, Ariza and others discussed locking up Zhao Chen at all costs!
The Rockets have to use Jordan's Law to deal with Zhao Chen, just to disrupt the Lakers' offensive rhythm!
Jordan's Law is to use various non-basketball actions to deal with Jordan and prevent Jordan from scoring.
Today, the Rockets are also preparing to deal with Zhao Chen in this way!
After the G2 game started, all Lakers fans could feel the Rockets' cruel treatment of Zhao Chen.
There was no flanking, just constant physical confrontation, or the Rockets players used words to provoke Zhao Chen. As long as Zhao Chen exerted a little force, they fell down, or deliberately created conflicts.
When Zhao Chen made a three-pointer, they stepped on him. When Zhao Chen broke through, they pulled and hugged him!
Unless Zhao Chen scores the ball, they will do everything possible to prevent Zhao Chen from touching the ball again and constantly encourage Zhao Chen's teammates to attack.
The Rockets' ideas are also very competitive.
We can be killed by other Lakers, but we cannot be beaten to death by Zhao Chen.
The opponent played very tough, and Zhao Chen was also very tough. Zhao Chen frequently stood on the free throw line to score points.
Zhao Chen was also very smart and caught Harden and Beverley accurately to cause fouls.
At 3 minutes and 23 seconds of the third quarter, Zhao Chen deceived Beverley after a series of feints, turned his body sideways and hugged the ball.
Fuck Beverley and cause him a defensive foul at the same time!
Beverley received his sixth foul.
It's just that for this three-point foul, Zhao Chen only made one of the three weird free throws at the free throw line!
This convinced the Rockets that they had affected Zhao Chen's feelings.
The entire Rockets team targeted Zhao Chen fiercely.
Beep!
Beep!
Beep!
The referee's whistle blew frequently.
Not long after the game started in the fourth quarter, Harden committed six fouls and left the field!
Ariza left the field with six fouls!
In the middle of the fourth quarter, Howard committed six fouls and left the field!
The Rockets used sacrifices again and again to stop Zhao Chen's mobile warfare.
Indeed, their desperate fouls really damaged Zhao Chen's touch.
But Zhao Chen's free throw shooting percentage is very stable, his volume is huge, and his quantity is also scary.
Last 50 seconds.
The score stood at 112 to 116.
The Lakers only lead by 4 points.
The Rockets fought fiercely with the Lakers to the end.
But at this time McHale showed a wry smile.
Because he has no one available.
At this time, the Rockets were actually a group of substitutes playing the strongest lineup against the Lakers.
Lawson, Terry, Brewer, Motiejunas, Capela.
Against the Lakers' Rose, Booker, Zhao Chen, Tucker, and Jokic.
Then the initiative still lies with the Lakers.
Lakers offense.
Rose took the ball across half court and gave it to Zhao Chen.
Zhao Chen dribbled the ball to the top of the arc to control the time.
With 13 seconds left on the attack time.
Jokic covered the screen, and then took away Brewer who was guarding Zhao Chen, leaving Motiejunas with Zhao Chen.
This is a misalignment.
Facing Motiejunas, Zhao Chen took a step forward after consecutive feints, stepped back and made a quick three-point jumper!
Motel continued to pounce fiercely.
Zhao Chen was knocked down!
Then the ball went in!
Three plus one to seal the victory!
James Harden looked at Zhao Chen who was celebrating with bitterness.
.....
.....
finally.
The score of this game was fixed at 114 to 120.
The Lakers have won two consecutive games at home.
McHale sighed. Today was a showdown with the entire Rockets team and the Lakers team in average condition.
But the Rockets still can't beat the Lakers.
The Lakers had the last laugh with their stable performance at the last moment.
"I have to say that the Rockets' defense did a great job tonight. They have taught other teams in the league a lesson. They can avoid being slaughtered by the Lakers with a big score to the greatest extent. The Rockets restricted Zhao Chen's sports battle. Zhao Chen has very few effective shots, of course, it would be more perfect if they could control their foul count better," Smith said.
"Kenny, are you sure? The rhythm of this game has been controlled by the Lakers. The Rockets saw a small loss, but there was no hope of winning. Zhao Chen still scored more than 50 points, and then, he just took action 12 times!”
"This is the first time in NBA history that he scored 50+ shots, and then Zhao Chen also set an NBA playoff record with 38 free throws." Barkley said.
"The Rockets' fouls were too harsh. As long as Zhao Chen wanted to take action, they would foul, and they paid a dear price for it," Smith said.
Zhao Chen scored 50 points, 13 assists, 18 rebounds, 6 steals, 5 blocks and 5 turnovers in this game.
G2 has also caused widespread discussion online.
"The Rockets are really cruel to Zhao Chen."
"Jordan's rules are used much more decisively than the Pistons."
"It's just that if we continue to play like this, we will waste some players. The Rockets started 5 and got 4 free throws. They made me laugh to death."
"Zhao Chen's unsolvable three plus one in the end sealed the victory!"
"In a game that could obviously be played against each other, the Rockets made it look so ugly and then lost."
The fans were very resentful about this game because fouls were committed and free throws were made at every turn, and the smoothness of the game was not guaranteed much.
The usually two-hour game was played for three hours.
Look at the Warriors next door, it was also 2-0, and they simply accepted it.
The playoff race is in full swing.
Except for the Lakers and Warriors, all other series in the Western Conference were tied 1-1.
The team at the top has no absolute advantage over the team at the bottom!
The gap between the teams is very small.
After G2 ended, the entire Lakers team got on a special plane and rushed to Houston.
Early the next morning, Lakers head coach Scott was named "Coach of the Year."
The Lakers' record this season is too good, with 75 wins. Last year's best coach was given to Cole, but this year it is Scott's turn.
If Scott is not given, Lakers fans will not be happy.
Although Scott is known as a head coach with little ability, his greatest ability is to ensure that the Lakers are always in the habit of winning.
Zhao Chen quickly forwarded the news that the head coach won the award on social networks, and then sent a text message to express congratulations to the head coach.
Zhao Chen and Scott's current relationship mode is more like a buddy mode.
Off the court, Scott is the big brother, and on the court, Zhao Chen is the big brother.
