But it's hard to say if Willie Green is replaced. Green felt very good tonight, shooting 6 of 12 three-pointers. With him on the court, Paul's pick-and-roll threat will further increase.
This is indeed the case. When the Clippers attack, this time Paul also chooses to play a pick-and-roll at the top of the key. Garnett is fully focused this time and beware of Paul's fake moves.
But as the "god of point guards" in the words of teacher Yang Yi, Paul definitely has real abilities.
Seeing Garnett's defensive position in the middle, he had an idea. Sam Godega changed direction and passed Garnett again, hitting the board with his left hand for two points.
The whole audience suddenly exclaimed, are you still playing tricks at this time? Paul is really a very talented person.
At 120:121, the Rockets fell behind again.
In the last 50 seconds, this attack is crucial.
Paul stood ready and ready. Harden knew very well that Paul's stealing ability, coupled with his low center of gravity, made it very risky to break through.
When dribbling forward, you have a plan in mind.
Continuously swinging his body in one direction mobilized Paul's center of gravity. He pushed his back foot on the ground and suddenly stopped after breaking through. Then he took a signature step back and retreated to outside the three-point line, jumping up to shoot.
"Uh-huh!"
The basketball went hollow into the net, and the arena instantly boiled with shouts of "MVP" like a tsunami. The bench turned into an atmosphere group, waving towels and working very hard.
Who said Harden failed on key balls? When there is no problem with his physical fitness, he is the most trustworthy one in the Rockets!
At 123:121, Harden's key three-pointer helped the Rockets regain the lead.
Negro signaled to the referee and called a timeout.
In 32 seconds, the Clippers were 2 points behind, and this offense was crucial.
"Pay attention to Paul's pick-and-roll. If he passes to DeAndre Jordan, he will directly foul. James (Harden), Jimmy (Butler), PJ (Tucker), you just focus on the opponent's three perimeters, no Give them a chance to shoot the three.”
On the Rockets bench, McHale explained the defensive precautions in detail.
After the timeout, all the fans shouted "defense" to build momentum for the home team.
Caron Butler served, and Tucker jumped and waved his arms to interfere.
Jimmy Butler covered Paul to prevent him from receiving the ball easily. Option B, Crawford was also entangled by Ariza and had no chance.
Caron Butler couldn't serve the ball for a while. Seeing that he was about to violate the five-second violation, he had to call another timeout.
Negron rearranged, and McHale had nothing to say, just stay the same in the face of change.
Harden was very naughty. He quietly walked to the Clippers bench and repeated his old tricks, stretching his neck to eavesdrop on the Clippers tactics.
However, this time he still failed and was discovered by Odom.
"You go up to the side."
Odom said with a smile and pushed Harden away.
"Don't push me. If you push me again, be careful and I'll lie on the ground."
Harden responded pretentiously.
"During the timeout, the referee will not call a foul."
Odom said confidently, patting Harden's butt again.
Harden returned to the Rockets bench in despair.
After the timeout, Negro changed his serving tactics this time and asked Paul to serve the ball from the sideline. Crawford pretended to catch the ball to attract the defense, and Jordan took advantage of his height and long arms to successfully receive it.
Then he turned his back to the basket and handed it to Paul.
The Rockets generals were not upset when they saw that the defensive serve was unsuccessful. They quickly settled into defensive positions and were ready.
Paul called the pick-and-roll again, and Jordan quickly stepped up.
Paul went around the screen to break through, but Garnett was well prepared and quickly pressed forward to delay. Butler quickly changed defense and came to DeAndre Jordan. He just waited for DeAndre Jordan to catch the ball and fouled.
Sending Jordan to the free throw line is the most beneficial option for the Rockets.
Paul was calm-minded and saw the Rockets' "conspiracy" at a glance, and did not choose to hang the basket.
Looking at the teammates on the outside, they were all blocked by man-to-man defense and had no chance to catch the ball. They then suspended and dribbled to create distance.
Although the pick-and-roll didn't work this time, the Rockets' switch in defense gave him the opportunity to play small and big, which is what he is good at.
Garnett didn't dare to neglect, and opened his arms to cover Paul, giving him no chance to make a long shot from the outside.
Seeing the Wolf King's close defense, Paul came up with a plan. He quickly combined the ball with a big swing and threw the ball. He had hidden this move for a long time. He had already planned to respond when Harden committed a foul in the first half. , finally used at the most critical moment.
After landing, he looked at the referee. The referee hesitated for half a second before blowing the whistle. A shooting foul occurred and Paul made three free throws.
Garnett was very upset. This ball was also called? McHale also spread his hands in disbelief.
The fans at the scene booed and turned to scold the referee. Can't you see such poor acting?
Xu Xin was also helpless about this. At this time, there was no chance to challenge, and there was no possibility of changing most of the penalties.
"This is for you, James (Harden)."
Paul never forgot to tell Harden that the game is like a battlefield, and the focus is on the heart.
"Our manager Xu told me that there is an old saying in China: if you get fat first, you will not be fat, and if you get fat later, you will be pressed against the big bed! Don't be too proud, the game is not over yet."
Harden snorted coldly.
When Xu Xin heard this from the sidelines, he had a dark look on his face. "I'm not Dengzi. When did I teach you to use it like this?"
Paul didn't take it seriously. The most important thing right now was making free throws.
Standing on the free throw line, Paul took a deep breath to adjust. Facing the roar of boos, he remained unaffected and made all three free throws, 123:124.
McHale called a timeout. In the last 15 seconds, he was still very confident.
"Waiting for a decisive blow."
Said a handsome young man in the front row.
"I feel the same, the Rockets will definitely win."
said the companion.
"I don't think so."
said a fan wearing a Clippers jersey.
"Look at your third uncle and grandpa!"
Soon, the Rockets fans around him began to "besiege" him, and the verbal crusade made him shut up.
The Rocket Bear noticed the situation on the sidelines, took out a piece of cake without saying anything, and jumped in front of the Clippers fans. It was his performance time again.
One hand is a "cake bombardment", all on the faces of Clippers fans. He gestured "yeah" and walked away as if nothing had happened.
Naturally, the on-site director would not miss this scene. When the camera turned, Clippers fans with cakes on their faces appeared on the big screen.
The surrounding Rockets fans came to the camera and pulled the "unlucky guy" Bey.
The fans in the audience burst into laughter, and the tense atmosphere eased.
“The last attack was fully extended and handed over to James (Harden). Jimmy (Butler) and Trevor (Ariza) stood in the two corners, ready to catch and shoot.
Trevor serves. KG (Garnett), you and PJ (Tucker) are setting off-ball screens here at the free throw line. Jimmy, you come out first and catch the ball if you have the chance. There is no chance to run backfield to open up space. James, you start one second after Jimmy runs out, remember to run in reverse. "
