Xu Xin is a little worried about this. The team has regained its form this month and is currently on a winning streak. For the last game in January, of course, it is hoped that it will end with a victory. But he knew that it would be difficult to win this powerful dialogue. Not only are the Nuggets full of fighting spirit, but the Rockets also have disadvantages.
The team's three veterans are out at the same time. O'Neal is okay, but the absence of Garnett and Iverson has a great impact on the team.
One is an important part of the team's starting offense and defense, and the other is the engine on the bench. McHale simply can't find anyone to replace them.
However, the three veterans are more than 100 years old together. Playing back-to-back games will undoubtedly increase their risk of injury.
In the final analysis, this is just a regular season. Letting veterans risk injuries for the sake of a regular season victory is a foolish act to pick up sesame seeds instead of watermelons.
Before the game started, McHale's pre-game mobilization was different from before. He gave the players a psychological massage and asked them to pack lightly and not have the baggage of winning.
Even so, the team fell into a passive position after the start of the game.
At the beginning of the game, the Nuggets showed great aggression on both offense and defense.
Especially Warcraft, who was expelled last time against the Rockets, and this time he came with a revenge mentality.
The offense was quite tough on several occasions, and Harden was also given a huge blow on the defensive end.
After fanning, he looked up to the sky and roared, letting out all the depression in his heart. The home audience was very considerate and kept encouraging Warcraft, which made him more confident on the court.
Warcraft is on full fire, and Asik is the one who suffers the most.
Facing the all-powerful Warcraft, Asik was very passive. Not only was he unable to prevent Warcraft's post-ups, but he also had several offensive rebounds plucked from his head, one of which was dunked through him.
Unable to defend and grab, Asik could only restrict Warcraft through fouls.
As a result, in less than 5 minutes of the first quarter, Asik received two fouls and was replaced by McHale.
As soon as Asik came off the court, the Rockets' inner barrier disappeared, and Tucker had no choice when facing Warcraft.
The difference between the two is not only in height and shape, but also in athletic ability.
Warcraft and Faried dominated the Rockets' penalty area. Not only were they able to score, they also had the absolute upper hand in the battle for offensive rebounds.
The team's outside shooters, led by Gallinari, still had rebounds when they couldn't make a shot. They could continue to shoot. Their shooting confidence increased and their shooting percentage also improved.
The Nuggets blossomed inside and outside, and the Rockets' defense suddenly became riddled with holes.
Fortunately, Harden and Butler worked together and scored 16 points together, allowing the Rockets to hold on to the score. The price was that Harden and Butler played almost the entire first quarter, and there were hidden dangers in the team's rotation.
The first quarter ended at 25:33, and the Rockets lost by 8 points in a single quarter.
Not only that, the Rockets have done an excellent job defensively this season, ranking last in the league in points allowed per 100 possessions. It's not common for an opponent to score over 30 points in the first quarter.
However, due to the excessive consumption of Harden and Butler in the first quarter, the team could only field a five-small lineup of Jeremy Lin, Beverley, Gerald Green, Ariza and Tucker at the beginning of the second quarter.
George Karl smiled slightly and came up with the twin-tower lineup of Mozgov and Koufos, paired with Andre Miller, Fournier and Corey Brewer. This lineup is undoubtedly a Tianke Rocket.
Karl seized on the pain points of the Rockets' lack of presence inside and hit them hard. Mozgov and Koufos hit high in the paint, and they also had a considerable advantage in rebounding.
Although the Rockets can also create some opportunities on the offensive end through five-out positions and breakthrough points, whether it is Ariza, Tucker, or Gerald Green, several attempts from beyond the three-point line have failed. end.
On the other hand, Beverly was not bright in the east but bright in the west. He made two consecutive three-pointers to help the team stop the bleeding.
But this output is still far from enough.
By the time Harden and Butler finished charging and returned to the court, the Rockets were already 12 points behind, 36:48.
McHale returned to the main force, and George Karl was also unambiguous. He waved his hand, five up and five down.
Warcraft quickly caused Asik's third foul, and the latter could only sit on the sidelines and continue to sit on the bench.
The Rockets continued to be beaten passively on the defensive end, and on the offensive end, the efficiency of Harden and Butler also began to decline.
After competing on two plateaus back to back, they also had some physical problems.
As Warcraft succeeded in making up the dunk, the half game also ended.
50:66, the Rockets trailed by 16 points at halftime.
The Pepsi Center seemed to be celebrating the Chinese New Year. The home team led by 16 points at halftime. This is the leader of the Western Conference. Even if they rotated three players, the team's strength is still above the standard.
The home fans cheered and they did something that most teams in the league failed to do, enough to give them bragging rights for a week or two.
In the locker room, McHale seemed very calm about being behind by a big score. In fact, the team will make corresponding plans based on the schedule.
Which ball must be won and which ball can be left alone.
The team has already overfulfilled its tasks this month, and tonight's game has already been labeled as a loser before it even started this month.
What McHale was thinking about was whether to call it quits and stop fighting the Nuggets in the second half.
But he saw the unyielding expressions on the faces of Harden, Butler, Jeremy Lin, Ariza, Tucker and others, and immediately rejected the idea.
You can't do this. Being timid before fighting is a taboo in basketball, which will have a huge impact on the team's morale.
With McHale thinking this, he stood up and said a few more exciting words, and the second half of the game began.
After changing sides and fighting again, Butler first showed his attitude.
Facing Gallinari, Butler first charged head-on and did not slow down after the fierce confrontation. He went straight into Longtan and dunked with both hands before Warcraft could cover up the defense, starting the Rockets' counterattack.
Then on the defensive end, he anticipated Lawson's passing route and successfully stole the ball.
In a fast break counterattack, facing Wilson Chandler who was retreating on defense, Butler circled with one arm to salute Wade, passed Chandler, and the road ahead was smooth, and he dunked with two hands easily and happily.
Two dunks inspired the team's morale, and they worked harder on the defensive end. Asik defended with all his strength, preventing Warcraft's back hook.
On the offensive end, Harden stepped back against Chandler and missed a three-pointer.
It was Asik again, actively fighting for offensive rebounds, and fighting with Warcraft. Warcraft picked up the rebound, but was knocked away by Asik. There was chaos in the penalty area.
Butler had quick eyes and quick hands. He bent down to pick up the ball on the floor, and instantly bounced it up and made a small throw.
At 56:66, Butler scored 6 points in a row, narrowing the point difference to 10 points.
