On the Clippers side, only Barnes and Crawford were on defense. Facing Barnes directly in front, Jeremy Lin did not choose to attack the basket, but distributed the ball to Ariza who was following up on the right side.
The timing of the pass is perfect.
Ariza calculated his steps very accurately. He took the ball smoothly and took three steps. Facing Crawford who came to defend him from the side, he attacked the basket hard after the confrontation.
The basketball bounced on the rim and then popped out. The layup was missed, but the referee's whistle sounded and a defensive foul was committed.
Ariza got two free throw opportunities and made both free throws at 19:23.
Paul tried to calm himself down, dribbled the ball to organize the offense, called for a double screen by the small signer and Griffin, Paul dribbled back with an "in & out", and got rid of Jeremy Lin.
Shuhao tried to chase back again, but was blocked by two walls. Paul got an open opportunity, glanced at the basket from outside the three-point line, took off and shot, and hit a three-pointer at 19:26.
After the ball was scored, Paul took a step forward, looked into Jeremy Lin's eyes, shook his shoulders in celebration, and mocked him.
"Don't call me a cover if you have the ability."
Jeremy Lin used a move to provoke the general, but his expression remained disdainful.
"I don't need to cover myself, do you think I'm stupid?"
Paul was not fooled, smiled, shook his head, and ran to the backcourt.
The point difference reached 7 points. This offense was very critical. If the ball was not scored, if the Clippers turned around and scored another 3 points, the point difference would reach double digits.
Butler took the initiative to ask for the ball, immediately took an attacking step after receiving the ball, and relied on his excellent explosive power to break through and pass Barnes in one step.
Facing DeAndre Jordan's frame protection, he folded in the air for a layup and scored two points, which also caused DeAndre Jordan to foul.
This was the second foul Jordan received in the first quarter. Negron was forced to make substitution adjustments and replaced Jordan with Lamar Odom.
Butler also made the extra free throw and scored 3 points in this round, which was equivalent to the response to Paul's three-pointer just now.
22:26.
The Clippers attacked, Odom came to the high post to receive the ball, Paul made a fake move to the line after handing over the ball, and immediately ran back to get rid of Jeremy Lin.
Odom responded from the top of the arc, saw the right moment, and threw it to Paul who was running towards the penalty area.
The two connected smoothly, and Paul faced O'Neal's defense and hit another small throw.
22:28.
"This is the role of Odom. He has his own system on the offensive end."
Assistant teacher Xu Xinhe said.
"Our players have not adapted to the sudden change in the opponent's tactics and are a little passive."
The assistant teacher also saw it thoroughly and said.
The Rockets attacked and Butler once again rushed to the frame.
Barnes was passed again and pulled behind him, trying to stop Butler's progress with a foul.
Butler predicted this in advance. When McHale was making tactical arrangements before the game, he specifically reminded Butler:
"Barnes is the kind of player who would rather pay for a foul than let you score an easy score, especially after you score one or two."
Butler kept McHale's reminder in mind. This time, with Barnes pulling someone behind him, he made a shooting action in an instant and threw the ball.
The referee could see clearly and blew the whistle to signal a shooting foul.
Butler smiled naively at Barnes:
"welcome again."
Barnes was so angry that he turned around and left without even raising his head.
Two free throws were made steadily, 24:28, still a 4-point difference.
With less than 3 minutes left in the first quarter, both sides' physical fitness declined, and several shots ended in failure.
The shooting touch was not good, but Paul had a clear mind and gave the ball to Griffin inside, allowing him to post up and play one-on-one.
Griffin still has an advantage facing Tucker, who is half a head shorter than him.
Paul thought.
Unexpectedly, Tucker's strength was astonishing. He stood ready with his feet spread out. Facing Griffin's full resistance, he did not take a step back, as if he was planted on the ground.
Seeing that the referee was about to call a 5-second back violation, Griffin hurriedly turned around and prepared to shoot, but neglected to protect the ball.
Tucker saw the right moment, smacked the ball firmly with his palm, and Butler quickly controlled the ball with quick eyes and hands, leaving Griffin alone to dance in mid-air and throw an air ball.
Butler quickly turned around and rushed forward with the ball. Barnes bumped into someone from the side. This time Butler was unprepared and fell heavily to the ground.
"What are you doing?"
O'Neal Jr. yelled, rushed forward, and pushed Barnes to the ground.
As a veteran, although he can still shine on the court, he positions himself more as a leader in the locker room, assisting the growth of the team's young people, and at the same time acting as a bodyguard on the court.
After all, he was also a participant in the fight at the Palace of Auburn Hills, so how could he not have a few tricks on his hands?
O'Neal wanted to take another step forward and beat Barnes. Players from both sides swarmed to separate the two.
The referee kept blowing the whistle to control the situation.
Stadium bodyguards also arrived one after another to prevent the situation from developing further.
Under various obstacles, O'Neal rushed several times to no avail, but he was not idle. He cursed and cursed at Barnes. Barnes fell to pieces just now and was helped by his teammates. I was still dizzy when I woke up, and I couldn't even reply.
The fans were also filled with righteous indignation. From the scattered curses at the beginning, to the unified, roaring and tsunami sweeping over.
Butler is the son of Houston. How can he be bullied by you at our home court?
The situation was under control, and the team doctor had already rushed to the court to check Butler's injury.
Butler waited for a minute and then stood up again. Just like the last time, nothing happened. If it were an ordinary person who had been pushed by Barnes just now, he would probably have to lie down for half a month.
All of this is the result of hard training and continuous polishing of body hardness.
Seeing that Butler was okay, Xu Xin and all the Rockets members also breathed a sigh of relief. The fans in the audience were also relieved, came back to their senses, and continued to denounce Barnes.
After the referee reviewed the game, they each took 50 big shots. Barnes and O'Neal each received a second-level flagrant foul and were both ejected.
"Brother, you did a great job. I'll pay the fine for you. Don't refuse."
Seeing the penalty result, Garnett patted O'Neal on the shoulder and said.
"OK."
O'Neal Jr. smiled knowingly. This was an agreement between him and Garnett. The two had said before that if the Rockets were bullied, whoever was present would immediately stand up and fight back.
We don't cause trouble, but we are never afraid of it.
As for the fine, it is a mutual payment. If it was Garnett who took the shot just now, O'Neal will also pay the fine.
O'Neal Jr. walked to the center of the court, waved to all the fans, and then, like a hero, ran towards the tunnel amidst the applause of all the fans.
On the opposite side, Barnes' situation was completely opposite. He walked back to the locker room dejectedly despite the boos from the fans. Near the player's tunnel, he was also poured several glasses of beer, Coke, and some other stuff by fans in the stands on both sides. Unknown liquid.
Even though he dodged left and right, he couldn't escape and left the scene in a state of embarrassment.
