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"There was a problem with our defense and we allowed our opponents to score 136 points, which is unacceptable."
At the post-game press conference, Thunder head coach Donovan criticized the team's defensive problems.
The reasons for the losses in both games were surprisingly the same. It was not that the Thunder couldn't score, but that they couldn't defend.
Thunder's defensive champion Robertson had a different view: "We all worked hard, and we tried every means to stop their offense, but unfortunately, we failed. This is not our problem, this is something that the entire league needs to face together. question."
Robertson thinks clearly.
Durant also said: "We will make adjustments in G3, score more points than them, and then we can win."
Compared with the Thunder who found a lot of reasons for their loss, the Lakers started a cheering discussion.
Head coach Scott said: "Our whole team is very happy, we successfully defended our home court."
Jokic also said: "We played our own style and I believe we can advance smoothly."
Zhao Chen said: "OKC is a respectable opponent. They have caused us enough trouble. We still have to stay vigilant. After going to the away game, the game there will be very difficult."
Zhao Chen did not ignore the power of Westbrook and Durant joining forces.
Compared with the previous two seasons, these two are only stronger but not weaker.
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"The Thunder are two games behind!"
"The Lakers have taken the absolute initiative!"
"Same as before, they didn't think of any good way to deal with Zhao Chen, and they are still helpless."
"The Thunder are the top team in the league, but they are still at a disadvantage against the Lakers. This also explains to a certain extent why the Lakers are the favorite team to win the championship this season."
Hosts Barkley and Smith summarized the game.
The Lakers players packed their bags and prepared to go to the away game.
On the way, Zhao Chen learned that the results of another game in the Western Conference had also come out.
The Trail Blazers played against the Warriors and got back on the road.
The Warriors won the G1 game too easily, and Lillard proved that he is not easy to deal with either.
From the beginning of the first quarter, Lillard fought hard against the Warriors.
Three-pointers were frequently hit from the outside, but the Warriors had a bad touch from the outside and frequently hit three-pointers.
Three-pointers are the magic weapon for the Warriors to survive, but if they can't find the feeling, they will be at a disadvantage. Lillard and McCollum frequently attacked the basket and made sudden shots from inside and outside to help the Trail Blazers gain an 8-point advantage in the first quarter.
The Warriors couldn't find the feeling on the outside and had no advantage inside. It was very difficult to play on the court. To make matters worse, they made constant mistakes and missed several opportunities to close the gap.
The game didn't change much until the fourth quarter. With 4 minutes left in the fourth quarter, Thompson hit a two-pointer, chasing the score to 86-93. However, Curry made a mistake when passing the ball and was hit. When Lillard stole the ball, he easily dunked and the Blazers stabilized their position. Green also made a mistake after that and almost gave the Blazers another fast break opportunity. Fortunately, Iguodala fouled in time.
The outside line was delayed, and the Warriors had to keep rushing to the basket. With 2 minutes and 15 seconds left in the game, Curry hit a jumper. The Warriors continued to grab offensive rebounds, but missed the tip-in. McCollum hit a three-pointer for the Trail Blazers, once again gaining a double-digit advantage.
Under the strict defense of all members of the Trail Blazers, Curry and Thompson didn't even have many chances to shoot three-pointers. With 51 seconds left in the game, after Green made two of three free throws, the Warriors scored 5 points in a row to close the gap to 5 points. But then the Warriors made mistakes in their full-court press. They missed Lillard and he easily succeeded at the basket.
Curry finally got a chance to shoot a three-pointer, but he missed it.
After the Trail Blazers grabbed the rebound, there were only 30 seconds left before the end of the game, and the Warriors had to give up...
The experiences of the Warriors and Trail Blazers also show everyone that not all strong teams will be as successful as the Lakers.
The playoffs are too long. As long as you don't pay attention, strong teams will also fall behind.
Although the Trail Blazers won one game, Zhao Chen knew very well that the Trail Blazers would not be a match for the Warriors.
The series is a test of overall strength. The overall strength of the Trail Blazers and the Warriors is quite different. As long as the Warriors react, they will not give the Trail Blazers a chance.
The combination of Lillard and McCollum cannot guard against the Splash Brothers.
In the East, the Cavaliers had a bit of a hard time.
The Cavaliers' opponent in the second round was the Eagles.
The Cavaliers, who easily passed the first round, lost in G1 to the Hawks.
Losing the first game caused the Cavaliers to lose their home court advantage. They must win the second game, otherwise they will face a desperate situation.
Facing the Eagles' frequent pass-and-cut tactics, the Cavaliers didn't have many good options. That's how they lost the first game.
In this game, the Cavaliers' Kevin Love failed to play due to injury, and JR Smith was suspended for one game because he accumulated enough technical fouls.
The Cavaliers had no choice but to adopt a smaller lineup and attack frantically from the start.
James also said at the pre-match press conference that he would try his best to win this game. He also showed this determination to win on the court.
After nearly 5 minutes in the first quarter, Shumpert hit two three-pointers, and James scored 3 points with consecutive free throws. The Cavaliers started with a 13-2 run. Under the full-speed impact of the Cavaliers, the Eagles were caught off guard and only made one shot in the first 5 minutes and 21 seconds.
After the first quarter, the Cavaliers led 38-18.
The Cavaliers never gave their opponents a chance and continued to strengthen their defense. The Cavaliers continuously attacked the basket and relied on free throws to widen the gap.
At 4 minutes and 23 seconds of the last quarter, Thompson made an alley-oop dunk. The Cavaliers scored more than 100 points and led 100-76. The game entered garbage time and the Eagles had to give up. Both sides withdrew their main players...
The Cavaliers are also one to one.
Compared to the Cavaliers' difficulties, the Raptors, another group in the Eastern Conference, successfully led the Heat 2-0.
Of course, the Raptors are all narrowly defeated. The gap between the Raptors and the Heat is not big, it's just that they have better luck.
Zhao Chen also knows very well that although the Raptors are generally smoother than the Cavaliers, meeting James is like a mouse meeting a cat.
Of course, it's not just trash brothers. Most of the All-Stars in the Eastern Conference have inner demons for James. The Bobcats' Kemba Walker is even more exaggerated. He has lost 20 consecutive games against James and has not won a game.
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The plane quickly landed in Oklahoma City.
Starting at the airport, the Lakers were harassed.
Oklahoma City fans held up LED signs insulting Zhao Chen.
They don't target other Lakers players, they target Zhao Chen, and some extreme fans are even burning Zhao Chen's Thunder jerseys.
This is probably hate born out of love.
Zhao Chen watched all this with an expressionless face. Competitive sports are cruel.
Players do not need to be loyal to a team. A player's career is extremely short. Zhao Chen will stick to his heart and be firm in his choice. Even if he does it again, Zhao Chen will still choose to leave the Thunder.
