Before the game, almost everyone thought that the battle of Tianwangshan in the finals would be an extremely tight tug-of-war, and the point difference between the two teams would never exceed five points. But now, the trend of the game has shocked the so-called basketball experts. The home team Indiana Pacers actually leads the visiting team Oklahoma City Thunder by fifteen points!
"There is still hope" murmured Mark Jackson, the game commentator sitting in the commentary box by the court.
There are still twenty-one minutes before the end of the game. During these twenty-one minutes, anything can happen. As long as the final whistle has not sounded, everything in the game is still full of variables. Moreover, there are many cases of reversing nearly 20 points in the second half to win the game, such as the Los Angeles Clippers' shocking reversal against the Memphis Grizzlies in the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.
Therefore, in the hearts of the Oklahoma City Thunder players, they still have not given up hope, even if this hope seems very slim.
As the buzzer sounded in the Conseco Arena, the timeout ended and the players from both teams returned to the court.
Neither Coach Larry Brown nor Coach Scott Brooks made substitution adjustments during this timeout. Even if his team fell behind the opponent by as many as fifteen points, Coach Scott Brooks did not Put James Harden on the floor. Moreover, it is too early to make substitutions less than three minutes into the second half and is not conducive to the stability of the team.
Joe Crawford, the referee on duty for this game, just blew his whistle, and Reggie Miller's commentary sounded from the side of the court.
"The Oklahoma City Thunder's backcourt still maintains the combination of Russell Westbrook and Thabo Sefolosha. It seems that the Oklahoma City Thunder intends to adapt to changes by staying the same." Reggie Miller said, "This offense is very important for the Oklahoma City Thunder. If this offense scores, then the team still has hope of reversing the game; if the offense fails, it will be defeated. If the opponent plays defensive counterattack, the point difference will become wider and wider, and the Oklahoma City Thunder will lose more chances of winning."
Players on both sides of the court naturally understand this truth and work harder during the game. The Indiana Pacers' defense has become more oppressive, while the Oklahoma City Thunder have been sharper on offense. Kevin Durant used his restraining power to attract the defensive attention of two Indiana Pacers players and open up offensive space for his teammates. However, it was not Russell Westbrook who received the pass from Kevin Durant outside the three-point line, but Thabo Sefolosha!
"It seems that Thapo Sefolosha also has good skills in shooting three-pointers from outside." Xu Jiutian Literature Nest!
"Sure enough" Xu Nuo shook his head helplessly, "It would have been better if I had assisted in defense faster just now."
"Thapo Sefolosha's long outside three-pointer extended the Oklahoma City Thunder's hope of winning!" Mark Jackson said loudly, "The point difference is now reduced to twelve points. The Oklahoma City Thunder have every chance to catch up with the score in the remaining game time!¡±
After Xu Nuo dribbled the ball into the frontcourt, Xu Nuo immediately noticed the Oklahoma City Thunder's defensive tactical adjustments.
Thapo Sefolosha was not the only Oklahoma City Thunder player standing in front of the team's leading scorer Danny Granger. Even Kevin Durant also participated in the attack on Danny Granger. Jay's defense. "Double-team defense?" Xu Nuo reacted immediately.
And on the sidelines of the court, coach Larry Brown couldn't help but adjust the glasses on the bridge of his nose.
"It looks like the Oklahoma City Thunder are going all-out!" Coach Larry Brown said slowly.
"But if they just strengthen their defense against Danny, they will not be able to completely restrict our offense. After all, we have more offensive players." Coach Brian Shaw, the team's chief assistant coach, said.
"I want to promise that kid will realize this too." Coach Larry Brown nodded.
Since Kevin Durant and Thabo Sefolosha are guarding Danny Granger at the same time, DeMar DeRozan, who Kevin Durant was originally responsible for guarding, will definitely be left unattended. Defense. At this time, DeMar DeRozan was outside the three-point line in the corner. Xu Nuo passed the ball directly without thinking too much. However, at the same time, Kevin Durant quickly returned to defense, and DeMar DeRozan had no choice but to break through. But DeMar DeRozan is just starting to get going, and at least three Oklahoma City Thunder players have their defensive attention on DeMar DeRozan.
"Hehit seems they are quite afraid of our breakthrough."?! "Xu Nuo thought in his heart.
DeMar DeRozan, who encountered many obstacles in breaking through with the ball, had no chance to attack on his own and had to choose to pass the ball. However, at this time, Thapo Sefolosha and Russell Westbrook defended Danny Granger at the same time. Naturally, the ball returned to Xu Nuo's hands. At this time, there was no Oklahoma City Thunder team defending two meters in front of Xu Nuo, so Xu Nuo raised the ball high in his hand.
"The Oklahoma City Thunder have too many holes on defense!" Mark Jackson sighed.
Although Russell Westbrook quickly returned to defense, he could no longer block the promised shot. The ball jumped high over Russell Westbrook's raised arm and flew directly to the basket like a discharged cannonball. At 60:46, the Indiana Pacers still maintained a 14-point lead. At this time, the big screen on the scene showed the camera to Oklahoma City Thunder head coach Scott Brooks. Coach Scott Brooks in the camera looked helpless.
Seeing that the team was unable to limit their opponents on the defensive end, the Oklahoma City Thunder had no choice but to strengthen their offense, and coach Scott Brooks finally sent James Harden on the court again. Despite this, the Oklahoma City Thunder were still unable to narrow the point difference to single digits.
"Maybe the Indiana Pacers will keep their lead until the end of the game." Reggie Miller said.
"However, the Oklahoma City Thunder have always been good at catching up with the score in the third quarter. It is still too early to talk about the outcome." Mark Jackson said, leaving some room for the Oklahoma City Thunder in his words. . Before Mark Jackson could even finish his words, Kevin Durant broke through and scored a layup, which also caused a defensive foul by Indiana Pacers center Roy Hibbert.
"It's time!" Mark Jackson said.
Kevin Durant's extra free throw kept the fire of hope in the hearts of Oklahoma City Thunder fans from being completely extinguished. Immediately after Danny Granger missed a long shot from beyond the three-point line, Oklahoma City Thunder power forward Serge Ibaka grabbed a backcourt rebound and the Oklahoma City Thunder The team immediately launched a rapid counterattack. James Harden received a pass from Russell Westbrook during the fast break and hit an alley-oop dunk. The Oklahoma City Thunder finally narrowed the point difference to within ten points.
Coach Larry Brown on the sidelines looked serious and stood up to request a timeout. As Xu Nuo walked towards the team's bench, he looked up at the scoreboard next to the big screen above the court. 64:56, this is the score on the court at this time. After seeing such a score, Xu Nuo couldn't help but frowned slightly.
¡°It seems that we still have to find a way to maintain the team¡¯s lead. Otherwise, if we are not careful, the efforts of the past few dozen minutes will be in vain.¡± Xunuo said to himself.
After Xu Nuo returned to the bench, coach Larry Brown immediately came to Xu Nuo.
"Do you know your current technical statistics?" Coach Larry Brown asked Xu.
"What?" Xu Nuo was stunned for a moment, as if he didn't understand what coach Larry Brown said. After reacting, he immediately shook his head.
"Your current technical statistics are six points and seven assists!" Coach Larry Brown said seriously, "There is a big gap between you and your usual self, isn't it?"
Xu Nuo nodded silently, not yet understanding what coach Larry Brown meant.
"Although I agreed to your request and asked you to focus on defending Russell Westbrook, and you did a pretty good job. However, I did not say that you would not be allowed to take the initiative to attack at all!" Coach Lee Brown said.
At this time, Xu Nuo understood what coach Larry Brown meant, "I will take the initiative to attack with the ball!" Xu Nuo said.
"Very good!" Coach Larry Brown nodded and said.
At the critical moment when the opponent was chasing points continuously and the team began to feel the pressure, coach Larry Brown once again gave Promise the power to take the initiative to attack. In just over three minutes remaining in the third quarter, Xu Nuo quickly increased his statistics to ten and eight assists, helping the Indiana Pacers once again gain a double-digit lead. At the end of the third quarter, the Indiana Pacers at home led the away Oklahoma City Thunder by 11 points with a score of 77:66!
"In this way, the Oklahoma City Thunder's efforts in the third quarter were wasted." Mark Jackson said.