I feel hot in the NBA

Chapter 329 James Harden's Pressure
Westbrook tried to take over the game, but after Kevin Durant took a rest, the defensive focus of the entire Mavericks also turned towards him. This season, he just stepped into the ranks of the league's first-line guards. Westbrook, who is not even an All-Star guard, naturally couldn't perform well when he encountered such a defensive treatment. This also made the Thunder.

8 points difference is a very sensitive number.

If the opponent can score another goal, it will be a double-digit point difference, but if they can respond to a goal, then the point difference will return to a relatively safe range.

Ending the first quarter with such a point difference is a very big test for James Harden, the core of the Thunder's bench rotation.

If he scored first at the beginning of the second quarter, it would be fine, then the point difference can be directly returned to the safety range of 6 points, but if he didn't score at the beginning, then the entire Thunder team would have to fight on the court with the pressure of a 10-point point difference.

As for why Harden must have felt that the two teams’ substitute rotation period would be a stalemate, the reason is also very simple. It is because in the end games that have been played, the confrontation between the two teams’ substitutes has always been mutual explosion.

But there is also a prerequisite for this, that is, the two teams are in the same mental state. If the burden of the Thunder is greater than that of the Mavericks, then a collapse is not impossible.

"James, listen, this is a very critical moment for the Thunder. I hope to see your normal performance. If our point difference is always at 10 points, then man, I also hope that you can maintain a normal mind. Remember, whether we have a chance in the next game time, it all depends on your performance!"

It is also for this reason that Brooks specifically put pressure on James Harden before going on the court. He hoped that the latter would know the importance of this time, and he also hoped that the latter could withstand this pressure and win the game.

Judging from his observation of James Harden this year, he has the ability to perform better at critical moments, so there is no problem with proper pressure.

However, what Brooks didn't expect was that James Harden's mind was full of how to stalemate with the Mavericks within the safety range of 6 points in the substitute stage. This is something he has been thinking about.

This also put him under a lot of pressure. Now coupled with the pressure from Brooks, he suddenly felt that his breathing was not smooth. He took a few deep breaths and heard the beep. James Harden walked onto the court with the Thunder bench.

It's just that there is only solemnity left in his eyes at this moment!
Many people are saying that the Thunder is a young team, which makes them lack a lot of experience.

But what many people don't know or easily overlook is that for the head coach of this team, Brooks, it is also the first time he has experienced how to deal with such a moment, and he is also in the stage of learning!

If he worked for another two years, he could see just now that he didn't need to say anything at all. He only needed to pat James Harden on the shoulder twice to let the latter know what he should do without causing too much pressure on the latter.

Unlike now, even breathing has to be adjusted before playing.

……

Lin Yang didn't have such a lot of pressure when he played. He was always calm, and his handling at critical moments was enough to reassure Carlisle. Today's game made him find a sense of relaxation that he hadn't seen for a long time.

That's how he typically plays during the regular season, with the Mavericks' starters giving the team some but not enough to make the difference, and then it's up to him to call the shots.

Normally at times like this he wouldn't feel too much pressure, and he didn't feel the same way today.

The game will start soon!

James Harden completed a very good offense as soon as he came up, successfully helping the team narrow the point difference to 6 points.

Judging from this goal, James Harden has converted the entire pressure into motivation very well.

His goal also made Brooks nod slightly.

As long as James Harden can find his form as soon as possible and play a fiery touch, then he will quickly take Kevin Durant and Westbrook on the court and play the "three-core" style of play.

He believes that when the "Three Young Men of the Thunder" are on the field, even if Kevin Durant is still targeted, the other two can definitely lead the team to play a very good counterattack.

It’s just that his idea has a prerequisite, that is, when James Harden, Kevin Durant and Westbrook play together, they usually play off the ball, and off the ball requires a touch. If James Harden’s touch is not good, then the "three-core" tactic will not be so easy to play at that time!
So in Brooks' view, if the Thunder want to play the "three-core" as he said in the future, then James Harden must score as soon as possible.

I don't know if the Thunder have started to change their luck. In short, under the eager expectation of Brooks, James Harden really played in a very good state, making all the first three shots.

Although the Mavericks have been scoring goals, but due to James Harden's advanced ball, the point difference has been fluctuating between 6 and 8 points.

This stalemate is a very good range for the Thunder, and it is a point difference that will not generate any pressure at all.

In about 1 minute, you can change people!
And Brooks is also looking at the time. Now it is less than 2 minutes into the second quarter. He waits for another minute and lets James Harden play two to maintain his touch. Then he will put Kevin Durant and Westbrook together without hesitation for the final sprint of the first half.

"Shh!"

Only at this time, Lin Yang of the Mavericks took the ball to the frontcourt, and just one step outside the three-point line, he directly completed a three-pointer.

The ball fell steadily into the net bag.

The point difference suddenly changed from 6 points to 9 points!
The balance just now was broken at this moment.

In fact, the Thunder's auditorium was a little restless when Harden kept scoring goals, but after Lin Yang suddenly made this three-pointer, it suddenly became silent, and it was extremely quiet again.

(End of this chapter)