The invincible kryptonite of basketball

In the second half, this situation has not changed. The point difference has been hovering within 5 points, and the outcome is hard to tell.

The turning point of the game occurred in the second half of the fourth quarter.

The Pelicans began to use the way they played against the Warriors last season, using Tang Tian to play against Cousins ​​in infinite misplacement.

Cousins' movement speed is not slow among big men, but everything is relative. It is completely unrealistic for him to keep up with Tang Tian with his size.

This approach worked quickly. Tang Tian misplaced a breakthrough and made a three-pointer, and the Pelicans broke the stalemate in one fell swoop.

What's even more rare is that when the Rockets double-teamed Tang Tian, ​​Holiday, who was open, also made a three-pointer.

This wave of 8-0 offensive directly determines the outcome of the game.

The Pelicans finally narrowly beat the Rockets 93 to 87 and won the second game of the series, leading 2-0 by a big score.

Both D'Antoni and the Rockets want to prove themselves, and from the perspective of the game process, they are indeed closer.

But it's only close.

This can be seen from these two games.

On paper, the Rockets are as strong as the Pelicans or even stronger, but in high-intensity games, the super giants play differently.

In the first match, one Tang Tian was worth three Rockets.

But when Tang Tian felt cold in the second game, the gap between D'Antoni and Stevens' coaching ability emerged again at the last moment.

Stevens used Tang Tian to single Cousins, but D'Antoni didn't realize that he wanted to use Harden to beat Jokic.

Let's not talk about whether there will be a gap in the singles effect of the two sides, but the problem is that he didn't do it on the spot!

The on-the-spot command of the two made a judgment.

So for the most part, the Rockets are really not wronged.

But the good news for Rockets fans is that D'Antoni admitted in the post-match press conference that he had a problem with his final tactical choice.

This also means that after the Rockets return home, they are very likely to deal with the Pelicans in their own way.

Although the score was 2-0, the anxiety in the second game and the tactical adjustment made the following games still full of suspense.

Chapter 973 Little Clever D'Antoni

The third game between the Pelicans and the Rockets will not be played until three days later.

During this period, the second games of the other two Western Conference semifinals also ended one after another.

Lowry recovered and scored 20+10 to help the Raptors regain a victory and tie the Knicks 1-1.

After losing Leonard, the Spurs were completely unable to withstand the Warriors' offense and defeated their opponents 91-121.

Whether Pachulia stomped his foot on purpose is debatable, but what isn't is that his kick sent the Spurs out early.

At the same time, the league announced the third batch of season awards, this time the best sixth man of the season.

Eric Gordon of the Rockets defeated Iguodala of the Warriors and Lou Williams of the Pelicans with 39% of the votes, and was successfully elected as the sixth man of the season.

After the awards were announced, Tang Tian also sent a congratulations to Gordon immediately.

This player who was originally selected by the Los Angeles Clippers and entrusted to become a new future, moved to New Orleans, Brooklyn, New York, and then to Houston due to injuries, and finally found his position there.

This honor is an affirmation of his best performance this season, and it is also a great encouragement.

On the same day, the entire Pelicans team flew to Houston.

On the day of the resistance, the whole team continued to train, the content was similar to the previous two days, and the tactical response to Jokic being singled out.

D'Antoni's statement after the second game of the series gave the Rockets fans confidence. Similarly, it also gave the Pelicans an early vaccination.

Both Stevens and Tang Tian are tactical masters, and they will definitely not sit still.

The Rockets are still in closed training throughout the entire process. Although D'Antoni said that there will be tactical adjustments on the court, there is no news at all before the game.

It can be felt that they are obviously holding back their energy and want to start a Jedi counterattack at home.

That night, the Toyota Center in Houston was packed.

For the Toyota Center, which has always been known for its low attendance, this is very rare.

It's just that many Chinese audiences who supported Tang Tian came to the scene, which gave this game a little bit of a different flavor.

No matter how strong the Rockets are, no matter how many stars there are, as long as there is Tang Tian, ​​the city where Yao Ming opened up the Chinese market at the beginning will not be a complete home court.

This can be felt from the fact that Tang Tian was cheered by a considerable number of fans when he appeared in the arena.

After the pre-match warm-up of the two teams, the award ceremony for the best sixth man was held first.

"...I want to thank every single one of my teammates past and present, and everyone in this city for your support that got me to where I am today. I love this city and I want to play for the Rockets forever. "

Gordon's speech was very sensational. For a player who was once given high hopes but wandered around, it is not easy to find his second spring in the NBA and regain his value.

Gordon's speech made the fans cheer and encouraged the Rockets players.

They're really going to give it their all tonight.

After the opening ceremony, the two teams started to play one after another.

The Rockets have adjusted the starting lineup, Paul, Harden, Gordon, Tucker, Cousins.

They replaced Morris with Gordon to start!

When Gordon started the game, there were constant cheers and the momentum of the Toyota Center was overwhelming.

When the starting lineup came out, both Tang Tian and Stevens were surprised.

If the Pelicans continue to use Tang Tian to beat Cousins, then Tucker's role in defense will come out.

But if Davis goes back to play Tucker, the Pelicans' offensive efficiency will drop.

D'Antoni's starting adjustment this time is quite spiritual.

And they didn't reveal any news before the game, which can be regarded as a surprise for the Pelicans.

After the opening ceremony, the two teams started to play one after another.

Amidst the cheers of the fans, Cousins ​​jumped and beat Davis, giving the Rockets the opportunity to take the lead.

Harden dribbles upfield and calls Cousins' pick-and-roll.

Cousins ​​blocked Ariza, Harden hit Jokic in a misplaced position, and made breakthroughs after consecutive changes of direction to stop and retreat.

Jokic couldn't keep up with the rhythm, because of Gordon's three-pointer, the Rockets' defense didn't dare to play casually.

"Shh!"

This time the Rockets came out on top.

Cheers from the Toyota Center, it's a good start!

The Pelicans' offense, after Holiday went to the frontcourt to signal to pull away, he gave the ball to Davis in the low post.

Although Tucker has an excellent defense, but this season he mainly plays small forwards, and his defense against Davis is too obvious.

This is a natural dislocation, and it is inappropriate not to fight.

Davis caught the ball and hit it hard, but Tucker couldn't hold it.

However, Gordon on the weak side has already assisted in defense in advance, and the Rockets were obviously prepared before the game.

Davis turned around and forced a layup, rushing to make a shot before the help defense.

Although Tucker couldn't stand it underneath, but given enough physical confrontation, Davis' shot slipped out of the basket.

However, Davis reacted quickly, grabbed the offensive rebound with his long arm, and quickly made a dunk to score.

This matchup is indeed a bit difficult for Tucker.

Bzdelik exchanged a few words with D'Antoni at this time, D'Antoni nodded, got up and shouted a few words to Cousins, it seemed that there was a defensive adjustment.

The Rockets' frontcourt offense, Harden continued to misplace Jokic.

The Pelicans did not change, and Harden stepped back from the outside and made a three-pointer.

"Shh!"

The ball crashed into the net.

Harden's hands are a little hot tonight!

The scene cheered again.

Stevens was meditating on the sidelines, which was obviously not good news for the Pelicans.

The Pelicans attacked the frontcourt again. With the same idea, Davis continued to drop low.

However, the Rockets' defense has changed. They used Tucker to defend Jokic at the top of the arc, and Cousins ​​shrank under the basket and couldn't get out!

Davis wants to play hard in the low post, so he can only play against Cousins. If he doesn't play hard, with Tucker's defense speed, they can also deal with the mid-range position.

And the grasp of the middle distance is definitely not as good as the offense at the basket.

D'Antoni, a clever little ghost, is really spiritual tonight!

Holiday asked Davis to play a pick-and-roll, and after dismantling it, he shot in and gave it to Davis.

This ball gave a good chance for Davis in the middle distance.

However, Paul kept making small, hidden moves underneath. When Davis dodged his moves, the rhythm was not very good, and the ball hit the frame.

Cousins ​​received a defensive rebound at the basket.

With this attack and defense, the Rockets have the upper hand!

"The Rockets really have a chance tonight!"

In the commentary, Jeff Van Gundy exclaimed.

"They are much stronger than last year, and they should come back."

Brin also echoed.

If the Rockets lose this time, it will be 0 to 3. The strength gap between the Rockets and the Pelicans is not that big.

The guest commentator for this game was Tracy McGrady, who smiled and nodded after hearing what Van Gundy and Breen said.

However, when he was laughing, he unconsciously cast his eyes on the Pelicans halfcourt, on Tang Tian.

From the opening to the scene, Tang Tian seems to have never made a move yet?

Chapter 974 Van Gundy wants to go out

Harden continued to play Cousins ​​in the frontcourt. This time Holiday had assisted defense, but Harden was in good shape and passed the ball to Gordon immediately.

Gordon made a three-pointer, and his hands went up and down.

"Shh!"

Basketball hollow into the net.

8 is better than 2!

The Rockets started with great momentum!

They have Gordon's best sixth man halo bonus tonight, coupled with D'Antoni's lineup adjustments, it has an unexpected effect.

"Defense! Defense!"

The Rockets' outstanding performance on the court also affected the audience on the sidelines, and the cheers on the scene were overwhelming.

An invisible momentum pressed directly on the Pelicans.

They want to take away the victory from Houston tonight, which is by no means an easy task.

Holiday took the ball to the frontcourt again, and Tang Tian stretched out his hand to ask him for the ball.

The Rockets didn't double-team directly, he looked up at the Rockets' defense.