In the first quarter, both the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Golden State Warriors showed the strength of championship-level teams. The offensive and defensive performances of both sides were very exciting, and the cooperation between them was also very tacit.
Therefore, at the end of the first quarter, the score between the two sides was 34 to 34, a rare tie situation.
But when the second quarter started, the gap between the two sides gradually widened.
The Warriors' adjustment to the lineup is also very simple, that is, replacing Shaun Livingston and other substitutes, but keeping super core players like Kevin Durant on the court.
Obviously, the Warriors want to leave the opportunity for singles to Durant. After all, with his strength, few people in the league can guard him in singles at the third position.
As for the Timberwolves, they can't come up with a lineup as luxurious as the Warriors. Therefore, substitute players like Shabazz Muhammad can only be sent to guard Durant and double-team from the wing position. As for other positions, the main offense is handed over to Zach LaVine.
call out.
The second quarter begins.
Livingston held the ball on the Warriors' side, and after halftime, just as the Timberwolves expected, they gave the ball directly to Durant.
Durant played with a back-up shot in two zones, and Muhammad went up to guard. The two faced each other, and Durant turned around and took a backward shot.
Muhammad didn't even have a chance to reach out to Durant, so he could only watch as Durant threw the ball into the basket.
It was the Timberwolves' turn to fight back.
Ricky Rubio holds the ball, and LaVine responds at half court. After the ball passed half court, LaVine seized the opportunity to break inside. After shaking continuously, he was interfered by Andre Iguodala on the wing, and LaVine had no choice but to transfer the ball away.
Snapped.
Rubio caught the ball from the outside, but the basketball he threw failed to score. It bounced on the rim and fell out. The rebound was also taken away by Iguodala.
Iguodala, who got the ball, threw the ball directly into Durant's hands, and Durant dribbled the ball through the half court unstoppably. There was no player on the Timberwolves side that could stop him, so he rushed to the basket and ignited the atmosphere with a dunk.
boom.
The ball went in.
Durant's strong output caused the Timberwolves to gradually fall behind. In this situation, the Timberwolves also had to make adjustments and put Adrian on the wing out to mark Durant. Otherwise, he would be allowed to play in this quarter. If the fight continues, the Timberwolves will definitely not be able to withstand it.
call out.
The referee's whistle sounded and Adrian was replaced.
Adrian, who walked onto the court with the expectations of his head coach and teammates, looked very excited. He took the initiative to come to Durant, intending to see how powerful this league's superstar can be!
"Kevin, don't ever think about getting rid of me!"
"I won't give you a chance."
After Adrian came on the court, he planned to attack Durant's mentality. He knew that the opponent was a superstar, and it would not be a problem to win him over with hard power. So the best way was to make his state worse, as long as it made him angry or unhappy. , then it is very likely that you will be too excited and lose your mind.
Green often plays tricks like this on the court. Judging from his past grievances, this trick of his is quite effective.
Not to mention the players on the field, even many fans off the field were angered by what he did.
call out.
The Warriors serve.
Livingston advanced with the ball, and after reaching the half court, he screened and entered the basket. He failed to score in a single shot, and the rebound was picked off by JaVale McGee, who came on the bench. After getting the rebound, McGee looked at the court for a while and found Durant standing on the right three-point line and immediately took the ball. Throw.
Snapped.
The ball fell into Durant's hands again.
Adrian went directly to defend closely. Before Durant could hold the ball in singles, Adrian had already spat out trash talk at Durant.
"Hey, Kevin, does it feel good? I mean... does it feel good to be excluded from the Warriors?"
"Man, don't think you are a member of the Warriors. No, you are not at all. You are just a temporary foreign aid they invited... Don't you believe it? Then look at Draymond. How to treat you! This guy is the most cunning, he knows who to treat well, and he also knows how to target others..."
"Don't look at his attitude towards you now, but that's just because the Warriors are winning. Once the Warriors start losing, Draymond will definitely jump out and blame you..."
When Adrian said this, Durant's face clearly showed an unhappy look.
From the moment he entered the Warriors, he never got complete respect from the Warriors. Especially the relationship between him and Green can only be considered barely acceptable.
As a superstar in the league, being ridiculed by the outside world because of a trade has already depressed Durant's heart. Now he is being ridiculed secretly and openly by his former opponents. How could Durant, who has a delicate and sensitive heart, not care?
As soon as Adrian saw that psychological warfare was useful, he immediately increased his efforts and at the same time showed a more active defensive performance.
"Kevin, don't you believe what I said?"
"Man, we all know this is true, it's just that you don't want to accept it! Of course it's great if you want to win the championship! Everyone wants to win the championship, but it's hard for you to gain the respect of the Warriors and Draymond! Don't believe it Let’s wait and see!”
"Stephen's contract is about to expire, and the Warriors will definitely renew his contract in advance. The Warriors' salary space will not be enough by then... There is a high probability that Stephen and Klay will not leave, except for them Besides, your contract with Draymond is worth a lot of money, so who will leave?"
"Do you think Coach Cole would choose you over their original team? Oh! Man, you are so naive..."
Adrian's words really stimulated Durant.
Uneasy, he chose to force a shot after holding the ball in singles. Although Adrian did not block him, Durant's shot failed to score.
boom.
The basketball hits the rim and pops out.
The rebound was picked off by Gorgui Dieng, who threw a quick pass to Adrian. Adrian threw the ball hard and threw it to LaVine, who had already rushed across the half court.
LaVine, who was on a fast break layup, directly chose a one-handed dunk when facing Livingston.
boom.
LaVine's dunk drew a chorus of exclamations from the audience.
"Man, I advise you not to say those words in front of me... It will not affect me... No matter what, I am the super core of the Warriors, this No one can deny..."
Durant said gloomily beside Adrian.
When Adrian saw that Durant was really angry, he deliberately put on a disapproving look and asked him, "Oh? Really? I didn't know that the Warriors' star changed his name? Kevin, what did you say? Where do you rank on the team?"
"Let me do the math, Stephen must have a higher status than you, so what about Klay? What about Draymond? It seems like Warriors fans support them more..."
