However, in the next round, Warcraft regained its momentum and pushed Asik away with a low back hit and a double-handed dunk.
56:68, Warcraft helped the Nuggets stabilize the situation.
Since then, the Rockets have not had a decent counterattack, and the point difference has been fluctuating around 10 points.
Until the transition period, the rotation lineup came on, the Rockets' inside disadvantage was further amplified, and the point difference reached 20 points before the end of the third quarter.
At the end of the third quarter, 77:99, the score difference came to 22 points.
McHale decided to withdraw his troops and replace them with a water-cooler lineup. We have fought hard, but there is no way to save this game. There is no point in continuing to fight. It is better to let the main players rest more.
George Karl also cooperated very well when he saw this. He withdrew all the main players and saved face on the defensive end. In the fourth quarter, both sides were undefended. We played very openly and contributed many wonderful goals to the audience. ball.
In the end, the score was fixed at 115:128. The Nuggets led from the beginning to the end at home, beating the Rockets by 13 points.
"Ding, the game is lost, 25 points will be deducted, and the system currently has 775 points."
The system immediately settled the points, and Xu Xin sighed. At this rate, it would be impossible for him to accumulate 5,000 points before the Asian Championships in the summer.
"Host, don't be discouraged. Tell the host a secret. If the team enters the playoffs, the system will give a reward of 200 points for every game it wins."
Luo Liyin saw Xu Xin's worry and said playfully.
200 points, so there’s still room to play, wait, what if we lose?
“Of course, high returns come with high risks. The rewards for winning will increase, and the deductions for losing will also increase. For every game lost, 100 points will be deducted.
Not only that, every time the team advances to a round, there will be a different number of points awarded. Similarly, if the team fails to advance, a different number of points will be deducted. "
The system continued.
I just said how could such a good thing happen?
"What's the specific number?"
Xu Xin asked.
"Advancing to the Western Conference semifinals will give you 500 points. Advancing to the Western Conference finals will give you 1,000 points. Advancing to the Finals will give you 2,000 points.
If you fail in the first round, 1,000 points will be deducted. If you fail to reach the Western Conference semifinals, 500 points will be deducted. If you fail to reach the Western Conference Finals, 250 points will be deducted. There will be no penalty for losing the finals. "
Loliyin said.
Xu Xin smiled bitterly. Originally, he wasn't too worried about being hacked, but now that this clause has been released, he has to worry about being hacked again.
If you are eliminated in the first round, not only will the ultimate reward of winning the championship be lost, but a lot of points will be deducted. The points you have worked hard to save throughout the season may not be enough. Who can bear this?
After losing to the Nuggets in an away game, the Rockets did not bring a satisfactory end to January.
Fortunately, the players are in a good mood. Although the team lost, it is still first in the Western Conference. This is a blessing among misfortunes.
After a night's rest in Denver, the team returned to Houston early the next morning. First, they went to Xu Xin's massage parlor for a comfortable massage for two hours, and then everyone went back to their homes.
McHale gave everyone a day off. In the seven days last week, the team played a total of 5 games. Even an iron man like Butler could not bear the intensity.
The team's next game is on the 3rd, against the Bobcats at home. The opponent is very weak and there is not much pressure to win. It is okay to take a day off.
On February 2, after a day off, the team members returned to the training hall full of energy and trained for most of the day. At this moment, they were sitting together, staring at the tablet in Harden's hand, waiting for the final result.
Today, another big thing is going to happen.
Last week, the starting lineups of the Eastern and Western All-Stars were released. In the Western Conference, Kobe, Harden, Durant, Griffin and Duncan are undisputed. The same goes for the Eastern Conference, with Deron Williams, Wade, James, Anthony and Bosh.
Soon, the roster of 14 All-Star substitutes will be announced.
Among them, the most nervous one is undoubtedly Butler. Although he said that he does not attach much importance to being selected for the All-Stars, when this opportunity is really placed in front of him, who would want to lose the selection?
On the contrary, there is the veteran Garnett who is also very popular. He has been selected to the All-Star more than ten times in his career. For him, whether he is selected or not is really nothing to care about.
In his heart, he even hoped that he would lose the election, so that he could have a few more days to rest.
"Ding!"
The tablet alert sounded, and Harden hurriedly opened the push message. The names of the 14 players selected as All-Star substitutes were written on it.
Harden slowly scrolled down, and the first thing he saw was the Eastern Conference All-Star substitute list:
Paul George, Kyrie Irving, Tyson Chandler, Brook Lopez, Jrue Holiday, Paul Pierce, DeMar DeRozan.
Next, there is the Western Conference All-Star substitute list.
Harden also became nervous, and his fingers sliding down the screen trembled slightly unconsciously.
Dirk Nowitzki, Russell Westbrook, Tony Parker, Chris Paul, LaMarcus Aldridge, Horton and Kevin Garnett.
Butler's name is not available, but the Wolf King was selected again. Together with his old comrade Pierce, one in the West and one in the East, both were selected as All-Star substitutes.
"It doesn't matter, I just have time to polish my skills."
Butler saw the regretful expressions on everyone's faces and laughed.
"This is unscientific! The Western Conference All-Stars are substitutes, three guards and four inside players, and not even a serious swingman. This lineup must be poisonous."
Harden was aggrieved and said angrily.
"That's right, it's really outrageous. If you choose a small forward, it must be Jimmy (Butler)."
Jeremy Lin was also angry. This list was obviously based on seniority and the players' past honors.
In terms of performance and data this season, will Butler be worse than Parker? Will it be worse than Nowitzki?
Not necessarily.
"What do you think?"
In Xu Xin's office, McHale sat across from Xu Xin and asked. The two of them had just seen the newly released All-Star substitute list.
"It's a pity for Jimmy. If he were in the East, he would definitely be selected."
Xu Xin said regretfully.
"It's also the league's intention to balance. In addition to the Heat's three big players, all three teams in the Western Conference that are expected to compete for the top spot, the Thunder, the Spurs and us, have two people selected."
McHale said, looking at things from another perspective.
"You have to comfort Jimmy. He is very high-spirited, trains very hard, and has made huge progress this season. Not being selected for the All-Stars is a big blow to him."
Xu Xin said.
"Are you worried that he will become negative because of this?"
McHale asked, his expression a little solemn.
