NBA’s aging star system

The second game between the Rockets and the Lakers was only two days apart from the first game, leaving the Rockets little time to adjust.

Just after the game between the Clippers and the Nuggets ends, the game between the Rockets and the Lakers will begin.

"Speaking of which, Staples has been really busy lately."

"Yeah, after all, I've never seen anything like the Clippers and Lakers advance into the second round together."

"It would be really interesting if the two teams met in the Western Conference Finals."

"Don't say it, don't say it, it's really possible."

"Anyway, it's safe for the Lakers to advance to the Western Conference Finals. It just depends on whether the Clippers can do it."

The scene at Staples was buzzing with people. At first glance, they were basically all Lakers fans. There were also Rockets fans, but very few.

Soon, players from both sides took the field.

Both teams maintained the starting lineup from the previous game in a tacit understanding, and McGee still took the first offensive right.

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

Su Tian got the ball and faced Harden without rushing to attack.

"Hey, James, didn't you say you wanted to beat me in this game?"

Harden was stunned for a moment, then said very firmly: "Yes!"

"Okay! Then let me see if you can really defeat me!"

After Su Tian finished speaking, the three threats started. After continuous probing, Su Tian first misled by changing directions, and then broke out to break through.

Harden was a little confused by Su Tian's continuous operations, and he didn't notice that Su Tian had completed the breakthrough.

At this time, Su Tian came to the basket unimpeded and shot directly for a layup. Tucker wanted to help defend, but unfortunately his movements were too slow, and Su Tian had already completed the shot.

Swah——

Basketball hits steadily.

The ball was transferred, and Westbrook came to the frontcourt with the ball. He took a look at Harden, who was being entangled by Su Tian, ​​and decided to play with the ball himself.

Facing Brunson's defense, Westbrook was still very confident. He wanted to rush to the basket with the ball as soon as he put the ball on the block.

Brunson's defense is relatively simple for Westbrook, but as soon as Westbrook breaks through, the thick eyebrows and McGee on the side come up to double-team to help defend.

Westbrook passed the ball directly to Tucker in the bottom corner.

Tucker caught the ball and shot a three-pointer directly.

boom--

It's a pity that it didn't hit.

The thick eyebrow turned around to collect the rebound and directly passed the long ball to Su Tian, ​​who was already on a fast break.

Su Tian caught the ball and ran ahead of everyone. After reaching the frontcourt, he made a light layup.

4-0

The Rockets had no choice but to organize an offense again. This time Westbrook passed the ball to Harden, hoping to attract Harden to overdo the defense.

But he didn't expect that after Harden got the ball, he directly started to play Su Tian alone.

"Harden is really brave." Barkley said meaningfully.

"Well, there's nothing we can do about it. After all, Harden is the star of the Rockets. Anyone can be locked up, but not Harden! If Harden is locked up, then the Rockets really have no chance." Kenny Smith said.

Harden's movements are already very familiar to Su Tiandu. After continuously dribbling under the crotch, he steps back and shoots a three-pointer.

Su Tian followed Harden's movements step by step, and it was enough to interfere with the final shot.

boom--

As expected, Harden struck directly against Su Tian's shot.

McGee turned around to collect the rebound and wanted to pass the ball directly to Su Tian, ​​but the Rockets blocked it in time. In addition, McGee's passing was average and he was afraid of making a mistake in the pass.

So a fast break opportunity had to turn into a positional battle.

After falling into a positional battle, Thick Eyebrow got the ball in the low post, directly hit Tucker with his back, turned around and made an easy layup.

"The gap between the two teams inside is really too big. It's difficult for the Rockets to guard Davis inside, not to mention the Lakers still have Su on the outside!" Barkley said.

The rest of the first quarter was like a replica of the previous game, with the Rockets being clearly suppressed.

At the end of the first quarter, 33-23, the Lakers led by 10 points.

"With a 10-point lead in a single quarter, can the Rockets do it?"

"Okay! The rocket is gone again!"

"James Harden was obviously suppressed by Su Tian. If Harden wants to get normal data, he can only wait until Su Tian is off the court."

"It seems like today is another ordinary day of winning! Long live the Lakers!!"

"By the way, if James Harden can't stand up, why can't Russell stand up?"

"Russell's outside shooting is not good, and most of his shots are at the basket. But if you look at the Lakers' inside configuration, with their defensive capabilities, Russell doesn't dare to take any shots at will!"

Soon the first quarter ended and the second quarter began.

Su Tian also took a break just like the last game. The Lakers were led by George.

But this time, just to be on the safe side, Wharton also brought thick eyebrows on the court.

The tactical effect of thick eyebrows on the Lakers is still very obvious.

Of course, the thick eyebrows themselves are also strong, and their inside deterrence is not something ordinary players have.

But Harden thought this was a good opportunity.

"Coach, Su is not on the court, this is definitely a good opportunity! We can take this opportunity to recover the score!"

For Harden, the offensive environment has naturally improved without Su Tian on the court, but the Lakers' overall competitiveness is still online.

Although D'Antoni emphasizes offense, it doesn't mean that he doesn't know how powerful the defensive team is.

"James, I know you are anxious, but don't be anxious yet."

"Dealing with the Lakers is not a matter of a few minutes, but a whole game. Don't be in a hurry, just listen to my arrangements."

After hearing this, Harden had no choice but to follow D'Antoni's arrangement and rest off the court temporarily.

But when Harden finished his rest and was about to change onto the court, Su Tian also walked to the technical stage.

"This guy! I'm really unlucky for eight lifetimes when I meet him! Why are you playing with me!"

Harden was complaining crazily in his heart at this time, but he didn't dare to show anything.

Soon, due to Covington's defensive foul, the two took advantage of the dead ball opportunity to play again.

"Oh? Harden actually appeared on the stage with Su! It seems that the two of them will have wonderful contributions again!" Barkley said excitedly.

"Wonderful? Not necessarily, it could be James Harden's suffering time!" Kenny Smith replied in a low voice.

Kenny Smith’s joke turned out to be an accurate prediction!

After Su Tian came on the court, he directly took over the team's ball rights and continued to attack with the ball.

In order to retain good physical strength, Harden is no longer responsible for defending Su Tian, ​​and Gordon is responsible for it.

Whether it's Gordon or Harden, it actually makes no difference to Su Tian, ​​because neither can guard him.

Under Su Tian's strong performance, the second quarter ended.

At the end of the first half, the Lakers already led the Rockets by 17 points.

"It seems that our prediction in the first half was quite accurate." Barkley said, while turning to look at Kenny Smith beside him.