NBA: Being criticized for half a year at the beginning

At 8 pm on May 19, the Western Conference Finals G2 was played again at the Houston Rockets Dynasty Center.

Both teams kept the same starting lineup as the previous game, and the Rockets assistant coach team including Tang Yu and Stevens also updated the elevator door 2.0 version!

The Rockets player with the most playing time in the first game of the Western Conference Finals was Sean Battier.

As an all-around 3D warrior, Battier not only carried the Rockets' defense, but also brought a lot of energy to the Rockets in the three-pointers and rebounds in the bottom corner.

Battier played 41 minutes in the first game, and he could be seen as long as Kobe was on the court.

Battier was also full of energy tonight, and he once again gave all the players the most exciting chicken blood with a passionate speech before the game.

In the locker room, Battier said: "We are a group, everyone is very important, put your damn ideas behind, we just want to win tonight!"

The players from both sides came to the court and started shaking hands with each other, and Tang Yu also shook hands cordially with Lakers coach Phil Jackson.

With the basketball thrown high, the Western Conference Finals G2 officially began!

The Lakers changed significantly, strengthening their defense while paying more attention to teamwork.

Harden made a pass error at the beginning, and then Yao Ming's layup was cut off by Fisher.

The Rockets encountered difficulties at the beginning, falling behind the Lakers 0-5, and Gasol and Artest scored a goal respectively.

"Don't worry, stay calm!" Tang Yu shouted on the sidelines, asking the players to keep their minds steady.

Curry was still the first player to stand up for the Rockets. After breaking through Fisher with the ball, he used his small floater to help the Rockets get points.

The Rockets also stabilized the situation on the court, and both teams worked hard on the defensive end.

At 4 minutes and 47 seconds in the first quarter, Kobe intercepted Harden's ball while defending him, and made a dunk.

21-17, the Lakers led by 4 points. Harden's state tonight did not seem to be the best, and he had 3 turnovers in the first quarter.

Tang Yu looked around the bench, and finally called out A-Lian from among A-Lian and AI.

A-Lian stood up and ran to the technical table, ready to replace Harden.

It was not until the official timeout of 3 minutes that the clock stopped.

Tang Yu simply replaced Yao Ming directly. Harden was originally a player that the Rockets needed to stay on the court for more time in the first quarter, but tonight, a change had to be made.

Curry was on the court with several substitutes, Kobe was also on break, and Battier was also replaced.

Brother Deng was a little depressed tonight, sitting on the bench in a daze watching the game. It seems that Artest's elbow should still be given to him, which obviously has not been opened up.

Curry has really awakened since that elbow, and Artest can really be called the league's awakening master!

Tang Yu walked up to Harden and said, "I plan to buy a nightclub in Houston, maybe open a nationwide chain!"

He took out a small notebook and wrote it down. After hearing this, Harden's eyes immediately brightened up, and his pupils glowed.

At 1 minute and 12 seconds in the first quarter, Harden returned to replace Curry. This time, Harden's state has obviously changed a lot, and even his defensive attitude, which has been criticized by people, has been strengthened.

Defense really depends on the personal will of the players. After coming on the court, Deng hit a step-back three-pointer in the only two offensive rounds, and then made a wonderful pass to A-Lin who cut in the air to complete the cake.

The scores of both sides in the first quarter were not very high, and the scores were also very close. The Lakers relied on the shining stars of Kobe and Gasol to temporarily lead by one point 25-24 on the road.

At the beginning of the second quarter, the Rockets began to increase the frequency of outside shooting under the leadership of Harden, and Kobe was soon forced to return to the court.

Curry and Battier were also adjusted back to the lineup by Tang Yu. The center of the Lakers is Gasol, and the center of the Rockets is Yi Jianlian.

Although Yi Jianlian's assists are not up to Tang Yu's requirements, fortunately there is Harden, the core of the team, and the two play back and forth.

The Rockets' three-point offensive tactics are endless, making it difficult for the Lakers' perimeter defense to resist, and they can find open opportunities in almost every round.

In the second quarter, Tang Yu's team scored back and took the lead with the help of the death five.

The Rockets scored 32-26 in a single quarter, successfully setting the half-time score at 56-51, and the home team led by 5 points at halftime.

Bobby Jackson on the commentary stand said: "Houston's three-pointers are too sharp!"

Just one sentence and the Barry brothers understood what he meant.

"Bobby, I understand what you mean. The league will soon be changing, right?"

"Haha, I didn't say that. What I meant was that every sport is improving. If you don't keep up with the times, you will be eliminated!"

Just like the three on-site commentators said, when a new era comes, those who choose to stand still will be eliminated.Whoever takes the first step will be ahead of the others.

Back in the Rockets' locker room, Harden found his form in the second quarter, scoring 11 points, 4 assists, 1 steal and 0 turnovers with 3 of 6 shots in a single quarter.

He also performed amazingly against Kobe's defense and caused a 3+1 three-point shooting foul on Kobe.

Tang Yu was very impressed with his players' performance, and he handed over all the midfield arrangements to Stevens, the young coach.

The game between the two sides tonight went all the way to the final moment of the decisive stage. With 39 seconds left in the game, the score was 109-108, and the Rockets were only one point ahead and had the ball.

During the timeout, Tang Yu arranged the tactics himself, which is rare recently.

"Yao, you pick and roll for James, let him single out the opponent's center, no matter who James is, you can choose your own offensive method."

Tang Yu looked at Yao and Harden. Harden performed very well after the slump in the first quarter, and he still had 3 turnovers so far.

Then he looked at Curry, Battier and Alian.

"Sean and A-Lian will do an elevator door screen for Stephen at a 45-degree high position. A-Lian should not enter the inside line. After the screen, bypass Dayao's screen and go directly to the strong side corner. Sean goes to the weak side corner."

Tang Yu finished drawing all the tactics, "Don't be stressed. Any of our five players on the court can be the terminator!"

After the whole tactic was drawn, all five players on the court had a chance to shoot. It depends on how the Lakers' defense responds and how Harden chooses.

The five players on the Lakers are Fisher, Kobe, Artest, Odom and Gasol.

39 seconds, the Rockets pass the ball to Harden from the center line.

Harden still controls the time. When there are 10 seconds left in the offensive time, the Rockets players start to run tactics. Dayao's pick-and-roll blocks Kobe's defensive route, and Gasol is forced to defend Harden.

Kobe wanted to step forward to switch back, but was scared back by Harden's passing eyes, and then began to constantly adjust his shooting pace.

On the other side, the Rockets' trio also began to mess up and run out of space, but Harden had already found the best time to shoot. After shaking off Gasol, he stepped back to the three-point line and shot a fatal shot!

All the fans stood up excitedly and watched Harden's shot nervously.

Players from both sides were fighting for position under the basket.

At this time, Harden raised his left hand high and made a three-pointer celebration!

With the sound of a hollow net, Harden put his hands down and celebrated coolly on the ground!

112-108, the Rockets led by 4 points, with 24.8 seconds left!

A timeout is certain. In Tang Yu's opinion, the victory is basically stable now.

He told Stevens, "Brad, tell the players that no matter who dribbles across half court, they will directly foul the opponent!"

Stevens had heard of Tang Yu's method a long time ago. In Tang Yu's words, it was like a penalty shootout in football, to see who is more stable in his heart.

Iverson replaced A-Lian. After all, AI's free throws and experience are more stable than A-Lian. At this time, it still depends on the veteran.

According to Tang Yu, the two teams then broke the 24 seconds into pieces and played for a full 15 minutes.

The Rockets defeated the Lakers in the mutual points as expected.

119-113, in the end, the Rockets successfully defended the two home courts in the first two games of the Western Conference Finals and got a total advantage of 2-0!

The next game will be held in Los Angeles Staples in four days for the G3 battle between the two sides!