NBA’s aging star system

In the first quarter of the game between the Rockets and the Lakers, the Lakers had an obvious advantage. In addition, this is the Lakers' home court, and the overall morale is all on the Lakers' side.

In the first few rounds, the Lakers were obviously taking advantage of their inside position to attack the Rockets.

In the next few rounds, the Lakers continued to implement this strategy.

At the end of the first quarter, the Lakers led the Rockets by 32 points 24-8.

In the second quarter, both sides began to make substitutions and adjustments. Su Tian came off the court to rest, while only Westbrook came off the court for the Rockets.

D'Antoni is famous for his low rotation. He doesn't like to put too many people on the court and likes to always use the main force.

In this case, the Rockets began to chase points in the second quarter.

With the continuous performance of Gordon and Harden, they did catch up with some scores, but George struggled to maintain the lead.

Walton watches the form on the field while keeping an eye out for dead-ball opportunities.

Finally, taking advantage of a dead ball opportunity, Walton took Su Tian up again.

As soon as Su Tian came on the court, he held the ball to the basket and hit a layup, immediately stabilizing the situation.

Upon seeing this, D'Antoni also made a substitution, asking Westbrook to replace Harden and giving Harden a short rest for a few minutes.

Harden played again before the end of the second quarter, but the point difference was already very stable at this time, and it was very difficult for Harden to chase points.

At the end of the first half, 61-50, the Lakers led the Rockets by 11 points to end the first half.

"Guys, we have to work harder in the third quarter and try to catch up with the score. The third quarter is our last chance. I think everyone doesn't want to face SU with a lagging score in the fourth quarter!"

In the Rockets locker room, D'Antoni was arranging tactics while pouring chicken soup to his players.

However, although D'Antoni's wave of chicken soup was not very good, it also made Harden and others understand the importance of the third quarter.

Soon, the halftime break ended and the two sides took the field again.

"To be honest Kenny, I don't think the Rockets have much chance in the second half." Barkley said.

"Why? The Rockets' three-pointers are so powerful. If the three-pointers open up in the second half, it is normal for the Lakers to be unable to withstand it." Kenny Smith said.

"Of course I know that the Rockets' three-pointers are great, but you have to know that the Rockets' defense is basically useless against the Lakers' Big Three. No matter whether the Rockets can make three-pointers or not, the Lakers' offense cannot be stopped."

"If the Rockets want to chase points, they still have to find a way to contain the Lakers' offense, and they have to start from the defensive end."

At this time, the players from both sides took the field again, and as expected, they were all starting players.

The first possession of the third quarter was given to the Rockets, and Westbrook came to the frontcourt with the ball.

Westbrook passed the ball directly to Harden on the side.

Harden caught the ball and faced Su Tian's defense.

In the first half, whenever Harden faced Su Tian with the ball, the singles effect was not good, and sometimes he could not break through Su Tian's defense even with the help of pick-and-rolls.

Harden wanted to try again in the second half.

Harden first dribbled the ball from his hips, then made a breakthrough fake move with an explosion, and then retreated to the three-point line.

Su Tian was not shaken by Harden's fake move and was still in front of Harden, so Harden used his strength again, this time to break through from the left.

Seeing this, Su Tian quickly followed. As expected, this time it was a real breakthrough.

Su Tian followed up very quickly, and Harden could only hold up Su Tian's defense while holding the ball towards the basket.

After coming to the basket, Harden used a European step that he hadn't used for a long time.

One step, two steps. At this time, Harden still did not have a suitable shooting space.

But at this time Harden had to take action again, so he could only raise the angle of the shot in order to hit the ball.

boom--

boom--

Unfortunately, the basketball bounced out of the frame after two consecutive bangs.

Thick Eyebrow collected the rebound and passed the ball directly to George at the three-point line.

George caught the ball and turned around to start the fast break mode. The Rockets returned to defense very quickly, and George's fast break was blocked.

Therefore, fast attack can only fall into positional warfare.

George passed the ball to Su Tian, ​​who faced Harden.

Su Tian made the same move as Harden at this time, first dribbling from the hip, then breaking through from the right side with an explosion, and then connected with a step back to return to the three-point line.

Although Su Tian's offensive moves are exactly the same as Harden's, Harden cannot keep up with the defense like Su Tian.

So Su Tian got enough space on the three-point line to shoot directly.

Swah——

The three-pointer was hit steadily.

"Actually, it can be seen from this goal that there is still a big gap between James Harden and Su, especially on the defensive end." Barkley said.

"Charles, what you said seems to be nonsense, Su was the dpoy last season!" Kenny Smith said.

After Su Tian hit the three-pointer, the point difference between the Lakers and Rockets became wider and wider, and the pressure on the Rockets to chase points also increased.

Halfway through the third quarter, the point difference had reached 18 points. Walton took advantage of the dead ball to take Su Tian to rest.

The Rockets still maintain a point-chasing lineup, even though several main players are sweating.

After Su Tian left the field, Harden's eyes lit up. Harden knew that this was the right time for the Rockets to chase points, but unfortunately, there was not much time.

The Rockets had the ball. Gordon came to the frontcourt with the ball and passed it to Harden.

Harden got the ball and faced Nunn's defense. He dribbled the ball from his hip and shot a three-pointer directly.

Bang——shua——

The basketball bounces off the rim and into the net.

"Oh? Harden hit a three-pointer, are the Rockets going to start chasing points?" Kenny Smith said.

"Time is running out, but this is indeed a suitable time. It depends on whether the Rockets can seize it." Barkley responded.

At this time, the Lakers are led by George and Brunson. Compared with the combination of Su Tian and Nongmei, the combat effectiveness has indeed declined, but it still cannot be underestimated.

George came to the frontcourt with the ball, changed direction and went directly to the inside.

Upon seeing this, Tucker immediately double-teamed. George did not pass the ball, but forced a layup against the double-team of the two.

boom--

drop--

The basketball shot missed, but it also caused Tucker's defensive foul.

George stepped to the free throw line and made two free throws.

Thanks to George's performance, although the Rockets still maintained the momentum of chasing points, they were also well contained.

But just as the third quarter was about to end, the Rockets' three-pointers suddenly exploded.

Gordon, Tucker, and Covington each hit a three-pointer.

At the end of the third quarter, the score difference was chased to 12 points.

Although the Rockets' momentum was strong at this time, the fans at Staples still had full confidence in the Lakers.

Soon the fourth quarter started, and Su Tian led the substitute lineup.

A double-digit point difference was an insurance policy for Su Tian in the fourth quarter.

At the beginning of the fourth quarter, the ball was given to the Lakers, and Su Tian came to the frontcourt with the ball.