The Way of the Center

An Jie sat in front of his cabinet in disbelief. Since winning the double MVP and championship, this is the first time An Jie has been so embarrassed by a guy. Moreover, the guy who forced himself into such a situation is still his best brother.

He originally thought that as long as he did as usual, the Blazers would keep winning. Dynasty Bull’s 72 wins, in An Jie’s view, this record is not impossible to break. Last season, the Trail Blazers were only a few games away from breaking this record, and this season, Anjie believes that their strength is even stronger!

But today, Morris' appearance reminded Anjie. This alliance is not something you can do whatever you want.

If Angel and Aldridge are the most offensive inside combination in the league, then Ibaka and Morris, the combination of these two guys, may be the most defensive inside combination in the entire league.

How to break through the tight defense of these two defensive madmen has become a problem that Ricard must solve during this half-time break.

11 points behind halftime, this is a problem the Trail Blazers haven't encountered for too long. As an ordinary person, he will definitely choose to increase his offensive firepower in the second half and try to equalize the score as soon as possible.

But Ricard thought about it, but made a decision that surprised Divac.

"In the second half of the game, our main task is to defend." Ricard said this, let everyone focus on the guy who can live with the best coach of last season.

"Why did the Thunder beat us like this today? Because the Thunder led by Brooks is more aggressive than the Thunder led by Van Gundy! Don't think Brooks will stop in the second half. This guy will definitely continue to strengthen the offense and try to defeat us in one fell swoop. So, if we want to get close to the score, we have to guard it to the end in the second half of the game!" Ricard finished speaking, and began to draw tactics on the tactical board.

An Jie raised his head again, yes, in the first half of the game, he and his teammates were already caught in the rhythm of the attack against the Thunder.

The fast-paced offensive between the two sides is the favorite game rhythm of the Thunder team led by Brooks. Playing at the rhythm that the opponent likes will definitely be at a disadvantage.

Now, Ricard's intention is to make the Thunder uncomfortable. Once the Blazers' defense comes up, the Thunder will lose their rhythm.

An Jie looked at Ricard's tactical arrangement carefully. First, he had to choke the offense that the Thunder are proud of. Then, he started to plan **** the opponent!

In order to enhance the defensive effect, Ricard let Robin Lopez sit in the starting position of the fourth in the second half. In this regard, Aldridge has no objection, this guy will always obey the arrangements of the head coach, as long as the team can win, Aldridge is willing to make any sacrifices for the team.

Therefore, when Brooks saw the Blazers lineup at the beginning of the third quarter, he couldn't help but feel nervous. Because of the intermission just past, he almost emphasized the offense. Now it's good, the Trail Blazers posture is just waiting for you to hit it yourself!

An Jie stepped into the court again, and he closed his eyes abruptly. At this time, the cheers of Moda Center fans became louder in his ears.

He gathered his team, and all the guys in the Blazers white home jersey formed a circle.

An Jie was in the middle and started to motivate his teammates. Defeating Thunder can't be done by Anjie alone.

Last year, he defeated the Big Three of the Heat in this field. Today, he will never allow himself to fail in front of a good brother!

The championship is coming, and the audience is silent!

Westbrook confidently took possession of the ball past the three-point line, and Lillard's defense in the first half was simply vulnerable to Westbrook. But this time, when Westbrook was about to break through again, he found that Lillard gritted his teeth and was stunned to withstand the impact!

"It deserves to be a guy who can partner with Ann in the number one position." Westbrook smiled, and people say that Lillard is now Westbrook when Angel was in the Thunder. Now it seems that at least the cruelty in Lillard's heart is really similar to himself.

But I'm sorry, basketball is not based on momentum to win!

Westbrook did not hesitate, and immediately started a second attack on the basket!

Seeing this scene, Jeff Van Gundy in the commentary area covered his forehead and shook his head. Westbrook's unsatisfactory old problem has committed again. When he was still coaching the Thunder, the biggest headache was Westbrook's hot brain. It's okay for him to score with a desperate breakthrough, but if he fails, he will waste other people's opportunities.

Before Van Gundy could finish thinking about it, Westbrook's basketball suddenly fell out.

There is no doubt that it was Lillard's fast hand that pulled out the basketball. Westbrook once again paid the price for his recklessness.

"Damien Lillard's defense is very brave. There is an Angel between him and Westbrook. But this time, the zero guard who played at home still defeated the zero guard who played away!" Jeff Van Gundy did not expect that he would be excited by the opponent's steal. No, you shouldn't use the term opponent. In this game, you have no enemies.

Lillard immediately took control of the ball after the steal and pushed forward with all his strength. Westbrook's reaction is not slow, his speed is as fast as Lillard, but the level of physical confrontation between the two is too different.

Lillard was about to take three steps, but was slammed by Westbrook, instantly losing his center of gravity.

Lillard threw the ball to the hoop the moment he fell to the ground, and then he rolled out of the baseline in embarrassment. But Lillard used his own peripheral vision to see another zero player flying into the sky.

The basketball thrown by Lillard hit the backboard and bounced back abruptly. Everyone thought it was a layup error by Lillard under high-intensity confrontation. But An Jie rushed into the penalty area and jumped high. He was stuck in a good position under the basket, and even with his long arms. He slammed the basketball into the basket in front of Durant!

Brooks was surprised to stand up from the bench. If such a center continues to stay with the Thunder, what is the matter with the Big Three in the NBA now! ?

Anjie patted Durant's **** after landing. "I'm coming to KD, get ready to die!"

"Calm down, we are still in the leading position, calm down!" Brooks immediately shouted into the court, Westbrook knew that the coach was calling this to himself. But losing to Lillard, a thin guy, still made Westbrook very unwilling.

The Thunder's offense in the second round, Westbrook was not as reckless as before. But Brooks could see that this guy still didn't plan to pass the ball.

He beckoned Ibaka for a pick-and-roll, not to mention Ibaka is a muscular man, but in fact, this guy has a larger shooting range than Anjie.

Robin Lopez did not give Ibaka and Westbrook a chance. Not only did he lock up Ibaka's shooting space, but also greatly hindered Westbrook's breakthrough speed.

Robin Lopez, whether you are a superstar or not, as long as you are in his hands, there is definitely no good fruit.

Westbrook gritted his teeth and carried Robin Lopez's defense to the basket. When he finally wiped Lopez, the defender, who had just recovered from injury, realized that An Jie was in front of him. !

With no choice, Westbrook gave a sharp kick with his right foot, intending to force a layup.

Brooks shook his head disappointedly. As expected, the referee's harsh whistle sounded in the next second. Westbrook dribbled the ball into a man, fouled offensively, and exchanged the ball.

Too anxious, when the Trail Blazers trailed so much, Anjie was still calmly coping. Westbrook, who occupied the leading position, was too impatient.

This problem with Westbrook is no longer a day or two, which is why Brooks often stagger Durant and Westbrook on the court.

When Westbrook started to be impatient, even Durant didn't even think about receiving a basketball. The ambiguity alone may allow the Thunder to defeat some weak opponents. But the extension is the defending champion.

After a solid defense successfully contained the momentum of the Thunder, An Jie shot another hook with the name of the hook in the three-second zone before the double-teaming was completed ~www.NovelMTL.com~ and scored two more points.

The Blazers' offense is not gorgeous, but their defense is solid and chilling.

Van Gundy praised Ricard's approach very much, and if he was directing on the field, he would make the same choice.

Using solid defense to bring offensive opportunities, this is the right way for a strong team to equalize the score. It’s just that Brooks’ experience is too lacking. Although he has brought more fierce firepower to the Thunder, he can’t make the Thunder as stable as before.

Under the combined defense of Angel and Robin Lopez, the Thunder's offensive efficiency was greatly reduced. Fortunately, Durant can still rely on his personal ability to hit shots in the middle and long distances. Therefore, when the third quarter ended, the Thunder still held a 4-point lead.

However, both Van Gundy and Mike Brin can see that the weak lead of the Thunder has already faltered.

In the last 12 minutes, the Blazers' defense and the Thunder's offense. Whether the spear was broken first or the shield was pierced first, every duel between An Jie and his old club was not that simple.