While the Minnesota Timberwolves lost to the Portland Trail Blazers, the records of the other two teams in the Western Conference were also released smoothly.
The first game of the semifinals between the Golden State Warriors and the Oklahoma City Thunder was also very intense. It can be said that there was a lot of friction and conflict between the two sides, and they even almost started fighting during the game.
Even so, under such a difficult situation, the Warriors successfully won the first game at their home court, Oracle Arena.
The two sides scored 108 to 104.
A total of 7 Warriors players scored in double figures, including Stephen Curry, who scored a team-high 28 points, and Klay Thompson, who scored a team-high 15 points.
Other players also performed well. Draymond Green scored 10 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assists. Andre Iguodala scored 14 points and 3 rebounds. Harrison Barnes also had 11 points and 6 rebounds. Enter the account.
For the Thunder, Kevin Durant played 35 minutes and scored a game-high 29 points, 6 rebounds and 1 assist. He can be said to be the Thunder's strongest leg.
Russell Westbrook played 31 minutes, scored 16 points and 1 rebound, but sent out 12 assists.
Unlike the Warriors, except for the two of them, no one else scored in double figures.
The situation in the West is like this. One day later, the Eastern Conference semifinals will begin.
The result of the first game was not surprising.
The Cleveland Cavaliers and Atlanta Hawks tied 104 to 93. The Cavaliers also showed a crushing attitude in the first game. The Hawks were simply unable to resist the strong performance of the Big Three.
The other two teams competing in the Eastern Conference semifinals are the Toronto Raptors and the Miami Heat.
In the first game, the Raptors relied on the "Twin Stars" to score continuously, but unfortunately they were defeated at the last moment by the Heat, led by the two giants Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh.
However, the score difference between the two sides was not big, and the game did not show a one-sided situation.
After the results of the first game of the Eastern and Western Conference semifinals were announced, league legends and well-known hosts also began to discuss the situation.
For them, the focus is of course still on the Cavaliers and Warriors. These two teams that fought in the finals last season will still be finalists in this year's finals in the eyes of many people.
As for the highly anticipated Timberwolves, after their first defeat, they became the focus of ridicule by many people in the industry.
"No! I originally thought Zhao was a superstar, but now it seems that he only performed well in the regular season! For a player who is praised by the media, I can only say that he is still far from what I imagined... .”
"Bold prediction, the Timberwolves will be beaten 4-1 by the Trail Blazers. If nothing else happens, they will stop in the second round this season..."
"There is a gap between Zhao and Damien. Damien has a big heart that no one can match. This is the key to his team's victory over the Timberwolves..."
If it is enough to ridicule him abroad, at such a critical juncture, some domestic self-media began to ridicule Zhao Feiyang.
In order to gain enough attention, many self-media began to write various articles and comments that disparaged Zhao Feiyang.
"Zhao Feiyang can indeed occupy a place in the history of Chinese basketball, but after all, he is just an ordinary defender! It is just because he is a Chinese talent that he was elevated to such a high position, which originally did not belong to him... .”
"Some people used to say that Lowry was the 'king of the regular season' and the 'worm of the playoffs.' Now it seems that Zhao Feiyang is not only not the 'king of the regular season,' but he has occupied the position of the 'worm of the playoffs' in advance. ......."
Of course, those fans who support Zhao Feiyang are extremely unhappy with such remarks. They continue to argue with others on the Internet in an attempt to maintain the status of their idol.
However, after all, the record is there, and Zhao Feiyang does not have a better record now, which undoubtedly makes the fans who support him feel a little less confident in their right to speak.
"Zhao Feiyang almost led the team to overthrow the Warriors last year, and he will definitely lead the team to the Western Conference Finals this season... He has no record now, and that's because he has only been in the NBA for two seasons... .”
"If it were a new player, he would be able to achieve this kind of results just two seasons after entering the NBA. Wouldn't it be amazing?"
"Please! He is already 30 years old. He has played in the CBA as a professional player for so long. Although his performance in the NBA is indeed okay, it is just okay! How many more seasons can he play at his age?"
"Many times you think it's the beginning, but it's actually the peak. I don't think Zhao Feiyang's future seasons will be better than the past two years. I even think this may be his upper limit... Just wait! Wait until he arrives. At the age of 33, his physical condition will definitely not be good. Let alone being a star at that time, whether anyone will sign him is a big problem..."
While the outside world was discussing it, Zhao Feiyang himself was not idle either.
In the evening of the team's training day, after everyone finished training, he specially called his teammates together.
Since losing the first game, the team's morale has been a little low.
After all, most players have never played in the playoffs. They have no experience at all in this kind of thing, and they will doubt themselves once they lose.
"Guys, we did lose the first game, but that's just because we were careless... I know people are saying Damien scored 40 points! No, it's nothing special, I can do that too Do it..."
"The reason why I didn't do that before is because I hope we can play together. The team is not my team alone. These honors are created by all of us together..."
"Just wait! We will definitely beat the Trail Blazers in the next game! I promise you, I can also get 40 points... So now we have to cheer up. Only losing one game has no impact at all. We What we have to do is not lose the next game..."
In response to Zhao Feiyang's speech, his teammates also stepped forward one after another to express their cooperation.
Dwight Howard was the most excited in the team. He had reached the finals with the Magic back then. As a veteran, he was more experienced than Zhao Feiyang in this situation.
Therefore, he showed his support for Zhao Feiyang on this issue.
"Don't doubt what Zhao said. I have seen too many opponents. In terms of our strength, the Trail Blazers are not our opponent at all. Our goal is super strong teams like the Warriors and Thunder... .”
As time goes by, the next game day comes soon.
This time it's still the home court of the Timberwolves.
Although they lost the last game, there were still many fans watching the game this time, and the atmosphere in the arena was extremely lively.
Beep.
The timer sounds and players from both teams take to the court.
When the last game started, the Trail Blazers, who were playing away from home, were very cautious from top to bottom. Their players seemed to be very worried about the outcome of the game, so the entire team was lifeless. Even Lillard did not have any trouble with anyone else. comminicate.
This time is different!
The Trail Blazers' morale was obviously high after winning a game. From the moment they walked out of the tunnel to the official start of the game, Lillard, the team leader, was very happy, and so were the other players.
Just from their every move, you can see the confidence they display.
"Zhao, don't lose this game again!"
"If you lose again, you won't have another chance to go to Portland..."
Lillard said to Zhao Feiyang with a hint of joking.
Zhao Feiyang looked calm and responded slowly, "You were just lucky in the last game, but it won't be the same in the following games..."
"Really? Good luck to you then..."
As the leaders of both teams, whether it is Lillard or Zhao Feiyang, both of them have a lot of energy in their hearts, so their conversations with each other also imply some tit-for-tat meaning.
call out.
The referee's whistle sounded and both sides took their positions.
Snapped.
The referee threw the ball, and this time it was Howard who took the first shot of the basketball. He slapped the ball out and fell into the hands of Zach LaVine.
Unlike before, LaVine did not dribble the ball through the half, but handed the ball to Zhao Feiyang.
The Trail Blazers also noticed the Timberwolves' adjustments on the court.
"They asked Zhao to play the No. 1 position?"
"Zach is going to play the two position?"
Although the Trail Blazers were confused about such a change, they didn't take it to heart.
Zhao Feiyang advanced with the ball, and it was Lillard who came up to mark him.
The Timberwolves made such an adjustment to let LaVine guard CJ McCollum. The offensive and defensive duel in the last game has proved a problem, that is, LaVine does not take advantage of players like Lillard.
It can even be said that there is no way to restrict the other party at all.
In this case, it is obviously a better way to let LaVine switch to guard McCollum and let Zhao Feiyang personally guard Lillard.
After halftime, Zhao Feiyang organized the team's offense. While he was waving to others, Lillard kept reaching out to interfere.
Regarding Lillard's move, Zhao Feiyang planned to give in at first, but then he suddenly became angry and directly signaled to other teammates to pull away.
"Everyone...pull apart..."
It’s obviously not a good idea to go solo right from the start! But Zhao Feiyang did it anyway!
He pulled directly to the top of the arc, and Lillard saw this and moved in to mark him. The two faced each other, and Zhao Feiyang suddenly made a change of direction.
Lillard stretched out his hand to steal. As soon as he stretched out his hand, Zhao Feiyang pulled the ball back, followed by another change of direction from left to right. Such a quick movement directly shook Lillard away.
After shaking away, Zhao Feiyang rushed into the two zones. Under the cover of Howard, he successfully broke through to the basket, then jumped high and smashed the ball into the basket with a one-handed dunk.
boom.
The ball went in.
The first confrontation between the two in this game ended with Zhao Feiyang's dunk.
Lillard was certainly not convinced.
Soon, he stood under the basket and motioned for his teammates to pass the ball to him, but Zhao Feiyang reacted faster than him and went directly to defend Lillard closely, not giving Lillard a chance to catch the ball.
His teammates had no choice but to give the ball to McCollum.
McCollum dribbled the ball across half court. Under LaVine's guard, he chose to take a two-zone jump shot, but unfortunately he failed to hit.
The rebound was picked off by Howard.
Howard threw a long pass to the half court. After receiving the basketball, Zhao Feiyang rushed towards the Trail Blazers' basket.
Lillard was chasing after him. When he was approaching the basket, Zhao Feiyang deliberately slowed down. When Lillard came up, he deliberately threw the ball towards the basket against Lillard's hand.
call out.
The referee whistle sounded.
The basketball also fell steadily into the basket.
Two plus one.
The whole audience exclaimed.
