NBA’s aging star system

Harden's shot was blocked, and Capela wanted to grab the rebound, but was blocked by Nance.

The rebound was eventually won by Paul George. At this time, Su Tian had already rushed out, so George directly made a long pass.

The basketball was accurately passed to Su Tian's hands. Su Tian got the ball and went straight to the frontcourt basket.

Paul failed to follow in time this time, and watched helplessly as Su Tian got further and further away from him.

Su Tian took the lead and came to the front basket and dunked with both hands to end the battle.

4-0

The Lakers' defensive counterattack was once again successful, and the Lakers' overall defense made Harden feel a little suffocated.

At this time D'Antoni called a timeout in time. Although it was only the first two rounds, the problems exposed by the team were serious.

"Listen, James, the Lakers' defense has become extremely tough. The team needs you at this time and needs you to lead the team and lead everyone to break this deadlock."

D'Antoni looked at James and said.

Harden nodded and said nothing, but the serious expression on his face said everything.

As for the Lakers, Walton just looked at Su Tian and the others and said, "The Rockets are not that easy to deal with. The Rockets' offensive capabilities are not inferior to the Warriors. We must not be careless."

Hearing Walton's warning, George smiled and said: "Don't worry, coach, this is our first nationally broadcast game with the Lakers. We will definitely not embarrass the Lakers, and if we really lose, it will be us." There’s more pressure on you.”

Butler also nodded and said: "Indeed, coach, don't worry, we will work hard."

Seeing the two stars' assurances, Walton was relieved.

Soon, the timeout ended and the game continued.

After playing again, Paul controlled the ball and tried to drive the team through his own abilities. However, as Paul grew older, his body began to gradually decline and he could not break through Su Tian's defense.

In desperation, Paul had no choice but to give the ball to Harden.

Harden got the ball and started his singles performance facing Butler.

After continuous hip dribbling, Harden quickly exerted his strength to break through. Butler reacted quickly and caught up in time, but then Harden directly returned to the three-point line with his signature double step back and shot directly from the three-pointer.

Swah——

The three-pointer hit directly.

4-3

The Rockets' offense began to operate normally because of Harden, but not every single attack on Butler can have such a good effect.

When the Lakers attacked, the Rockets' defense was unable to resist, and the Lakers' shooting percentage has always remained at a good number.

At the end of the first quarter, the score reached 31-25, and the Lakers temporarily led by 6 points.

In the second quarter, Su Tian took a break and was led by George.

The Rockets were led by Paul, and the two Pauls competed on the court.

Halfway through the second quarter, the Lakers' lead reached double digits, and the younger Paul took the advantage.

In the second half, George came off the court to rest, and Su Tian and Butler came on the court again. The Rockets also made personnel adjustments, with Harden coming on to replace Paul.

Su Tian confronted Harden again.

Brunson advanced to the frontcourt with the ball and passed the ball directly to Su Tian.

After Su Tian got the ball, he didn't rush to attack. Instead, he started to test Harden's defensive focus with three threats.

Harden this season is completely different from Harden before, and even different from Harden in any period in Su Tian's impression, because Harden is extremely focused on defense at this time, and this is the first time Su Tian has seen this. Harden.

Seeing Harden's serious look, Su Tian couldn't help but said: "James, don't be so serious. You are no match for me anyway."

Su Tiangang finished speaking, and before Harden could speak, he directly broke through.

Harden's reaction was a beat slow and he could only follow Su Tian's side, facing the opponent while coming to the basket.

After the two came to the basket, Su Tian directly collected the ball and made a fake move for a layup. Then Su Tian suddenly changed his face to the back frame and directly shot a fadeaway jumper.

Swah——

Su Tian's sudden change of moves caught Harden off guard, and Su Tian's backwards hit directly and accurately.

"Su, when did you learn this trick?" Harden's face was full of doubts.

"Of course it's when you go to the nightclub." Su Tian said with a smile.

"..."

"You deserve to die!"

At the end of the second quarter, Harden still failed to break the point difference into single digits, and the two ended the first half with a 12-point difference.

At this time, Buckley began to "give directions" in the studio.

"The Lakers were able to beat the Rockets by double digits at halftime, which is enough to prove that the Lakers are far ahead of the Rockets!" Barkley said confidently.

"However, the Rockets' three-pointer has not yet been opened. If the Rockets' three-pointer is hit, a double-digit point difference will not be a problem at all." Kenny Smith said.

"Kenny. You also said that the Rockets' three-pointer was not hit! Do you think the Rockets' failure to hit a three-pointer was just because of a bad touch? Please take a look at how suffocated the Lakers' perimeter defense is! "

Kenny Smith heard Barkley say this and was unable to refute. After all, the Lakers' perimeter defense was indeed suffocating.

"Compared to the Warriors, I would rather see the Lakers win the championship now! I am also more optimistic about the Lakers winning the championship!" Barkley suddenly said.

"why?"

"Because the Lakers' offense and defense are more balanced, their defense is no worse than any other team in the league! Their offense is only slightly inferior to the Warriors."

I have to say that Barkley's statement at this time is quite reasonable. Su Tian was the regular season MVP last season. This season, George and Butler were introduced. The team's strength has improved by no means.

At this time, there were two states in the locker rooms of both teams.

For the Lakers, Walton is still emphasizing not to be arrogant and impetuous. The game will never be over until the last minute.

On the Rockets' side, D'Antoni is encouraging everyone to take more three-pointers and catch up with the point difference as soon as possible.

The intermission ended quickly and the third quarter began.

In the third quarter, both sides invariably put on their entire main lineups, both wanting to suppress the other side as soon as possible.

The first possession of the third quarter was given to the Lakers. Su Tian advanced to the frontcourt with the ball and directly called Nance for a pick-and-roll.

With the help of the pick-and-roll, Su Tian initiated a breakthrough. When he reached the free throw line, Su Tian made a weird pass to the ground and passed it directly and accurately to Paul George, who was sliding along the baseline.

George got the ball and made an easy layup.

This goal not only fully demonstrated Su Tian's passing ability, but also perfectly demonstrated the tacit cooperation between the Lakers stars.

"I've said it for a long time, the Lakers' success is no accident! The Lakers will definitely become the best Big Three combination in the NBA in the past five years!" Barkley said.

At this time, Kenny Smith suddenly reacted and said: "In the past five years? So you deliberately excluded the Heat's Big Three? It has been exactly five years since the Heat's Big Three won the championship."