NBA Finals.
The annual battle has finally arrived. Following the last showdown between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Golden State Warriors, they have another meeting this season.
It's just that there have been some changes in the lineups of both sides at this time.
The Cavaliers are without Kyrie Irving and have a superstar like Zhao Feiyang. The Warriors' lineup has not changed much. On top of the original lineup, they have added top forward players like Kevin Durant.
From a strength comparison alone, the Warriors are obviously stronger than the Cavaliers. Just like what Draymond Green said when he mocked Durant: We were already the championship before you came!
It doesn't sound good, but it is true.
A team that already has the potential to win the championship plus Durant, such a lineup is probably rare in the NBA in recent decades.
Oracle Arena.
In the evening, the place was packed with tens of thousands of fans pouring in to cheer for their home team. Before the game started, players from the Cavaliers and Warriors also shook hands and communicated.
The two sides are old enemies who have played against each other many times, and naturally have a good understanding of each other, so the game was a bit more explosive from the beginning.
"LeBron, congratulations!"
Green walked up to LeBron and spoke proactively with a smile on his face.
LeBron didn't understand what he meant and asked with a questioning look, "Draymond, what are you congratulating us for? Man, I don't understand."
Green smiled evilly, "I mean...congratulations on winning the overall runner-up spot."
As soon as these words came out, the smile on LeBron's face suddenly froze.
Of course, this off-court ridicule was just an appetizer, and both parties just passed it off as a joke. Neither LeBron nor Green went into details. After the conversation, the two shook hands and hugged each other to say hello.
"Zhao, we meet again!"
Stephen Curry took the initiative to say hello to Zhao Feiyang.
Zhao Feiyang also hugged and high-fived him.
"Stephen, long time no see."
"Fortunately you left the Timberwolves, otherwise I think we might not be able to defeat the Timberwolves..." Curry said.
Zhao Feiyang smiled helplessly.
"It's no pity! Defeating you is my goal! I'm glad to have such a strong opponent like you. This makes me really feel that the game is interesting..."
Beep.
The timer sounded and the starting lineups of both sides appeared.
The Warriors' lineup is the same as before.
Curry plays the one position, Klay Thompson plays the second position, and the third position is of course given to Kevin Durant. The fourth and fifth positions are handed over to Green and Kevin Looney respectively.
For the Cavaliers, Zhao Feiyang is at the first position, JR Smith is still at the second position, LeBron James is at the third position, Kevin Love and Tristan Thompson are at the fourth and fifth positions respectively. Serve.
Snapped.
The referee threw the ball high.
The Warriors were the first to get the ball, and Klay Thompson got the basketball and accelerated directly across the half court. He seemed to be in good condition today, so he immediately found a position to shoot a three-pointer after halftime.
JR's defense was half a beat slow. It wasn't that he didn't mark him in time, but that he was specifically blocked by Green when he was chasing Thompson. It was this moment that successfully allowed Thompson to seize the time to throw the ball.
Uh-huh.
A "good start" three-pointer was scored.
The Warriors fans in the audience cheered loudly, excited for the home team's first goal.
It was the Cavaliers' turn to serve.
Zhao Feiyang, who got the ball, advanced with the ball.
He did not choose to play in isolation as soon as he came up, but held the ball to organize the team's offense. The same is true for LeBron. He didn't ask for the ball as soon as he came up. Instead, he used moves to open up space like everyone else.
Snapped.
The basketball was given to JR on the wing. JR used Love's screen to rush to the basket. When he came to the penalty area and was about to take a shot, the opponent's big man Looney rushed to interfere.
JR passed the ball back, intending to cooperate with Love. Unexpectedly, Love was half a beat too fast, and the basketball thrown by JR failed to fall into his hands.
call out.
The basketball flew out of bounds.
This mistake somewhat surprised the Cavaliers! Even LeBron spread his hands towards JR to express his helplessness, and even shouted for him to cheer up!
JR himself shook his head helplessly. He walked up and briefly communicated with Love, and then quickly returned to defense.
The Warriors continued to attack.
Curry wanted to break through with the ball after halftime, but Zhao Feiyang kept reaching out in front of him to interfere. Under one-on-one coverage, the pressure brought by Zhao Feiyang made Curry feel uncomfortable for a while.
Snapped.
He gave the ball to Durant on the wing. Durant held the ball and faced LeBron one-on-one.
When the two played in singles, all the fans stood up excitedly. Obviously, everyone wanted to know who was more powerful among the two top strikers in the league!
No matter who scores, their offense and defense are obviously extremely exciting.
Durant held the ball and hit him with his back. LeBron came up to get close to his body. During the confrontation between the two, Durant turned around and pulled away. When LeBron rushed towards him, Durant threw the ball towards him.
It seemed like a simple pass, but in the next second Durant threw the ball steadily into the basket.
Uh-huh.
The ball went in.
The Cavaliers continued to attack.
Not to be outdone, LeBron took the initiative to ask for the ball from his teammates. After getting the ball, he rushed towards the half court with the ball.
After halftime, Durant came up to interfere with him. LeBron dribbled past Durant behind his back and rushed toward the basket.
Green came up to cover the defense and tried to use his body to block LeBron from entering the penalty area. Unfortunately, it had no effect at all. LeBron evaded and directly distanced himself, and then threw the ball with a lever under the basket.
Snapped.
The basketball hitting board fell steadily into the basket.
In the first half of the game, the battles between both sides were relatively routine. No one on either the Cavaliers or the Warriors had an incredible performance, and the stars were all assigned similar ball rights, and there was not much of a gap between them in terms of hand condition. Therefore, by the end of the second quarter, the points difference between the two sides was also the same. Not pulled apart.
Beep.
The timer beep sounds.
The Cavaliers and Warriors tied 51 to 54, with the Warriors leading by 3 points.
Half time.
Although it is the home court of the Warriors, the Cavaliers players are also quite relaxed. Everyone from LeBron to Love to Zhao Feiyang was relatively relaxed. Taking advantage of the break, several people also ate in the locker room to replenish their physical fitness.
time flies.
call out.
The referee's whistle sounded and the third quarter arrived.
In order to save energy to prepare for the final quarter, LeBron took a break this time. Love and JR are both on the court, and Zhao Feiyang, as the initiator of the offense, will naturally continue to stay on the court.
For the Warriors, Kevin Durant was replaced to rest, and Curry and Clay also chose to stay on the court to continue the confrontation.
call out.
The Warriors serve.
Curry advanced with the ball, and his condition looked much better after modifications. When he saw Zhao Feiyang coming up to snatch his basketball, Curry talked to Zhao Feiyang while protecting the ball, trying to interfere with Zhao Feiyang's mentality in this way.
After halftime, Curry suddenly raised the basketball from outside the three-point line with the help of Green's screen.
Uh-huh.
A crisp three-pointer hit the basket steadily.
"See! It's that easy to shoot a three-pointer in front of you!"
Curry smiled slightly at Zhao Feiyang, with a hint of ridicule and provocation in his words.
Although he knew that he was trying to mess with his mentality, Zhao Feiyang still felt very unhappy.
"Very good! You really provoked me!"
Waiting for the Cavaliers to serve, Zhao Feiyang holds the ball and prepares to advance.
He originally planned to fight back with Curry, but before halftime, Curry and Green suddenly double-teamed him.
The sudden double-team caught Zhao Feiyang off guard.
Before he could fully react, Green slapped his hand roughly. Bang, the basketball fell out. Although the slap was a foul, Zhao Feiyang did not hear the referee's whistle.
Green, who stole him, quickly dribbled the ball across half court.
Zhao Feiyang didn't panic when he saw Green dribbling the ball. He knew the opponent's skills very well, so he moved up and prepared to interfere with his layup in the penalty area.
Unexpectedly, Green is also quite cunning. When he rushed to the penalty area, he suddenly threw the ball with a back pass.
Snapped.
When Zhao Feiyang turned his eyes, he found that Curry had already stood on the three-point line. He received the basketball without any hesitation and took the shot decisively amidst the exclamations of the fans in the audience.
Uh-huh.
A three-pointer fell accurately into the basket.
