The scores between the two sides in the first quarter were not much different.
Although the Houston Rockets lack insiders like Dwight Howard, Clint Capela can still support the team's insiders, and James Harden continues to lead the team in counterattacks, making the two sides look evenly matched.
However, overall, the Minnesota Timberwolves remain in the lead.
Zhao Feiyang did not choose too many singles strategies in the first quarter. Most of the time, he focused on defending Harden. The rest of the time, he continued to help other teammates attract double teams.
It’s soon the second quarter.
Zhao Feiyang temporarily took a rest, and the Rockets also chose to replace Harden.
Compared to the Timberwolves' second lineup, the Rockets' second lineup didn't look that awesome. In the contest between the two sides, the Rockets gradually fell behind.
Fortunately, the score gap was still not big until the first half came to an end.
After the half-time break, the third quarter came for both sides. It was also at this time that the battle between the Timberwolves and the Rockets really began.
call out.
It's the Rockets' turn to attack.
Patrick Beverley dribbled the ball across the half court and encountered interference from Zach LaVine on the other side of the court. The rivalry between the two started from the beginning of the game. As long as they started to mark each other, there was never a lack of friction and small moves between them.
Snapped.
The ball was given to James Harden.
Harden advanced with the ball and was about to play singles when he encountered interference from Zhao Feiyang. Harden didn't mess around and passed the ball to teammate Brewer on the wing.
Brewer took the ball and entered the basket. After breaking through, he chose to go for a layup. As a result, the moment he threw the basketball, he was blocked by Dwight Howard, who was leaping high.
Snapped.
Howard made a big block and directly slapped his former teammate's layup.
The basketball flew out, and before it fell out of bounds, Zhao Feiyang quickly saved the ball with his quick eyes and hands.
LaVine caught the basketball and accelerated toward half court.
Beverley chased after him, while Zhao Feiyang and Harden chased them one after the other.
Seeing that LaVine had reached the basket, Beverley suddenly interfered with LaVine's layup. LaVine's shot was a little soft during the confrontation, and the basketball hit the edge of the basket and fell out.
The moment the basketball popped up, Harden, who was following behind, was about to jump up and grab the rebound.
But as soon as his hand touched the basketball, Zhao Feiyang flew up from behind him.
Snapped.
Zhao Feiyang snatched the ball away from Harden, raised the basketball and dunked the ball into the basket with both hands.
The ball went in.
The scene was filled with exclamations of surprise.
Harden, who was almost dunked, looked increasingly grim.
The score gap between the two sides gradually widened. The Timberwolves continued to take the lead in the third quarter and soon expanded the point difference to double digits.
In this case, James Harden had to step up and take control of the game himself.
In the next attack, before halftime, he asked his teammates for the ball, and then stood at the top of the arc and assumed an offensive posture.
Seeing that Harden had the idea of playing in singles, Zhao Feiyang immediately defended closely and followed him one-on-one to pay attention to his every move.
The two faced each other, and Harden changed direction and started to shake. Just when he tried to pass Zhao Feiyang with a fake move, his offense made a mistake this time.
Snapped.
Zhao Feiyang slapped the basketball in his hand. Harden's dribbling was directly blocked and the basketball rolled out. Before Harden could fully react, Zhao Feiyang took the lead and rushed forward to fight for it.
After getting the ball, he reacted quickly, accelerated and sprinted directly towards the half court. Harden caught up and tried to stop Zhao Feiyang, but was unable to catch up with Zhao Feiyang's pace.
Zhao Feiyang shook off Harden and rushed to the Rockets' basket. He dunked the ball with his hands behind his back as the fans watched.
boom.
This scene caused many fans to exclaim, as if at this moment, they were back to the previous dunk contest scene.
call out.
The Rockets called the next timeout, and players from both sides temporarily returned to the team bench to rest.
After Harden came off the court with a tired look on his face, head coach Bickerstaff quickly came to his side. The other side arranged new tactics and asked about Harden's condition.
However, Harden's attention at this time is obviously not on head coach Bickerstaff.
"My dear, there is too much sweat on your head! Let me wipe it for you! You played very well today. Although your hand feels bad, I think you are great..."
"You will definitely perform well in the playoffs this year. I believe in you... Who makes you James Harden! You are the only superhero in my mind... "
Khloe Kardashian, who came to Minneapolis with the Rockets, once again stole the show.
Originally, the team did not agree with the other party coming with the team. Who knew that James Harden contacted the team management in private and put pressure on the management.
Helplessly, in order for Harden to lead the team to the first round of the playoffs, the team management had to agree to Harden's request, so Khloé Kardashian came with the team, even though she was only sitting in a VIP seat. But her behavior still affected Team Rocket.
Seeing that Harden didn't listen to him at all, head coach Bickerstaff also lost his temper. He said to Khloe Kardashian on the side, "Shut up! Now is not the time for you to speak... James, there is not much time left for us, we can't lose the first game. ....."
"You have to work harder on defense. I know you can block that guy Zhao. You have to be tough..."
Before Coach Bickerstaff could finish his words, he was rebutted by Harden.
"Shut up!"
"Coach, I know you want us to win the game, but you can't do this. Kohler is mine, and you shouldn't yell at her..."
As Harden said this, he turned his head to comfort Khloe Kardashian, who looked very hurt.
The latter also looked weak and pitiful, and even apologized to head coach Bickerstaff, "Sorry, coach! It was me who affected the team... But you shouldn't have done that. Speaking of James, his attitude is very serious, I swear he is definitely the most serious player on the court..."
Harden was also very pleased with his girlfriend's words. He looked at Coach Bickerstaff's helpless look and promised him, "Coach, don't worry! We will win..."
"It's not the last quarter yet, we still have time..."
"I need to rest now. I believe that guy Zhao's physical strength must be reaching its limit! It doesn't matter if he doesn't leave the game, but I must seize the time to recover my physical fitness. Only in this way can I lead the team to turn defeat into victory at the last moment... .”
"Coach, do you understand?"
