The era of point forwards in the NBA

Chapter 238 CIC is not the only one with iron blood (seeking subscription, monthly ticket)

Changing sides to fight again, the score has not been able to catch up, the Thunder sent the most efficient lineup this season, Curry, Lin Yue, Durant, Sefolosha and Ibaka.

They need to speed up the pace of the game and use the flexibility of a small lineup to tear through the Celtics' defense. If they are always limited to positional duels, then the opponent's defensive pressure will make the Thunder's offense fragmented.

"Everyone is running, we need to play fast, use speed to open the defense, and the defense uses more body consumption. As long as the opponent can't score, our defensive counterattack can be effective." Brooks reminded the players before they went on the field.

The Celtics sent Rondo, Ray Allen, Pierce, Garnett and Rasheed Wallace.

Inside and outside, organized and finished, offensive and defensive, this is the strongest lineup of the Celtics this season, and it is the key to their success in the Eastern Conference.

Even after returning from a serious injury, Garnett can still play an all-around performance this season. Although the Wolf King is getting older, his strength will not fade.

"If the Thunder can face this lineup and move the score back, then they will have hope of winning this game." Barkley said bluntly.

"The Thunder's performance this season is really good, but they have never won a game against a team that is stronger than them. The Lakers, Spurs, and the complete Magic have all defeated them. If they don't have the ability to compete with strong teams, then it will be difficult for them to go far in the playoffs." Kenny Smith said.

The audience at the scene also offered their cheers, and the direction of this section will determine the outcome of the entire game.

The Thunder kicked off, and Lin Yue sent the baseline ball to Curry, who led it steadily through the half.

The Thunder's current lineup is a purely small lineup. Ibaka can't take advantage of the rim-protecting elite Rasheed Wallace.

So the offense must be achieved one by one. Now the outside shooting is good, Sefolosha has three-pointers, and Ibaka has mid-range. They can make many choices.

"Segil ran out from the inside to cover, and the Thunder gave up the position under the basket. They knew that the disadvantage of the inside was not enough to give them a second chance to attack. If they want to score a goal, they have to score first." Barkley began to explain passionately.

Lin Yue rushed to the basket with the help of a cover. Rasheed Wallace was not too far away from the penalty area. He knew that his task was to protect the penalty area. Even though Ibaka ran to the three-point line, he did not keep up.

Therefore, Rasheed Wallace came to the basket earlier than Lin Yue, stood still and waited for the opponent's layup.

Lin Yue chose to pass the ball, played patiently, and looked for better opportunities.

After Curry received the ball, he immediately transferred it to Ibaka, who played big and small. No matter how good Ray Allen's defense was, he couldn't get to the basket in the face of backs from inside players.

Paul Pierce came to help his brother defend. Ibaka has the advantage of his height and wingspan. He lifted the ball and found Durant who was open. Pierce immediately returned to defense.

But Durant would not give a chance, he went to the basket and scored a layup.

As for Lin Yue under the basket, he really understood the difficulty of the inside players. If he wanted to trap Rasheed Wallace, it would consume a lot of physical energy.

Fortunately, Durant's speed is fast, otherwise Lin Yue wouldn't be able to defend against Rasheed Wallace.

54 to 60, the goal of the positional battle was not easy for the Thunder, they scored the ball at the last moment of the offensive time.

The Celtics seem more comfortable, and they have a lot of shooting options.

Pierce hit Durant with his back, Ray Allen's top shot Lin Yue, Garnett's mid-range jumper, and even the connection between Rondo and Rasheed Wallace, the Thunder's defense was not strong.

This game can only bet that the opponent feels bad.

A pass came, and the Thunder had loopholes under the non-stop help defense.

Pierce catches the ball and shoots a three-pointer, and his spot-up three-pointer ability is also very strong.

He made 4 of 3 three-pointers in the first quarter. He only made two three-pointers in the second quarter and failed to score. Now his touch is basically zero. The opportunity is a good opportunity, but even he himself cannot judge whether the goal can be scored.

A little deviation in the shot will lead to missed shots.

Due to Durant's active defense, his shooting rhythm is slightly faster than usual.

"Bangdang."

The basketball really bounced out of the frame.

Garnett leapt and took the rebound over Ibaka's head.

Garnett's rebounding awareness is better than Ibaka's. After playing in the NBA for so many years, he already knows how to win.

Garnett didn't pass to his teammates, took off and dunked the ball back into the basket, relying on his personal strength to make a second offense.

Sefolosha shook his head regretting that he hadn't been able to trap his opponent.

54 to 62, it is a pity that the Thunder failed to protect the rebound and continued to chase the score.

"How should the Thunder rebound in this lineup? Compared with the Celtics, their interior height is not enough, let alone confrontation."

Kenny Smith's words were agreed by Barkley. He is an inside player. Rebounds are a vital part of the team's defense. If the opponent relies on a second offense to make up for it, it will have an impact on the team's defensive momentum.

Chasing points still has to rely on three points.

Lin Yue signaled Duran to stand near the free-throw line and cover the three-pointer. They needed to successfully score a three-pointer.

After the screen, Lin Yue passed to Durant, and Ray Allen immediately switched defenses. He knew that once Durant received the ball, it meant a single.

It's a pity that Durant will pass the ball to teammates with better opportunities this time.

Curry slid into the left corner, received a pass from Durant, and made a three-pointer.

"Shh!"

As long as a little space is given, Curry will not miss it.

After scoring 3 points, the score became 57 to 62.

In the third quarter, the two teams played fiercely. In this case, the offensive efficiency became higher. This is unscientific.

This time Pierce failed to score after hitting Lin Yue with his back. The basketball hit the front and popped out. Everyone in the Thunder team rushed forward immediately, and they must not give the opponent another chance to attack again.

Durant is tall and long, taking off the rebound.

He drives the ball forward and initiates a fast break.

In desperation, Rondo chose a tactical foul in the process of returning to defense.

The Thunder's fast-break rhythm was interrupted, but the ball was still in their hands.

Lin Yue served the ball to Curry, and Curry wanted to use the cover of his teammates to take advantage of this opportunity to chase some points.

As a result, the Celtics stepped forward to double-team, giving Lin Yue an open chance.

"Bangdang."

After Lin Yue received a pass from Curry, he missed an open three-pointer, and the rebound was also caught by Rasheed Wallace, missing a good scoring opportunity.

Rondo runs forward with the ball and at the same time directs his teammates to run. In order to make a fast break, the running position must be correct.

Ray Allen understands this very well. His running position is very ghostly, and he can always find opportunities for open three-pointers or empty cuts. If the Thunder did not use a small lineup, it is impossible to say that the Celtics would really be called a fast break.

Lin Yue stopped Ray Allen. Throughout the game, he either made an air cut, or caught and shot a three-pointer, without any ball-holding tactics.

Lin Yue knew this very well, so he stepped forward to fight for the ball.

Ray Allen wanted to pass to Rondo, but under the interference, his pass was weak.

Kurika was in front of Rondo, jumped easily, and intercepted the ball with both hands.

At this time, Lin Yue and Durant rushed to the Celtics halftime at the same time.

Curry made a long pass to find Lin Yue, and Ray Allen arrived afterward, blocking the way forward.

Durant reached out to signal for the ball, and Lin Yue slammed it to the ground. The latter got the ball and dunked it successfully, completing the fast break.

59 to 62, the Thunder once again chased the score to only 3 points.

Doc Rivers stood up, muttering words, directing the team's offense.

Obviously the strength of the team is much higher than that of the Thunder, but it has not been effective on the court.

In this round, the Celtics' offense still failed to score. After Rondo dribbled past Curry, he faced Ibaka's defense and hung a fake layup. As a result, he deceived the defender and the layup still missed.

"There is a problem with the Celtics' offense, and the Thunder will have a chance to recover the score this round." Barkley stood up and said, the game is getting more and more exciting.

After the Thunder had passed halftime, Rivers called a timeout. It was time to arrange defense. If the Thunder scored this goal, the momentum would have the upper hand. Coupled with the solidarity of the home court, the situation would be difficult to control.

Seeing the opponent call a timeout, Curry then threw the ball, and the basketball miraculously fell into the net.

"Can this get in too?" Kenny Smith looked dumbfounded.

The audience at the scene also noticed the ball. This is definitely a talent. The shooting talent is too amazing. He can score with just a throw. He is also playing with a hammer. Isn't this just cheating?

"Rajon, keep an eye on No. 30. Our lead is only 3 points. We must not let the opponent make a shot." Rivers repeatedly emphasized the importance of three points.

"Understood." Rondo also saw the fairy ball just now. I'm afraid this kid's touch has reached its peak, and it's time to use some special methods.

The timeout ended, and the two sides did not start substitutions.

Lin Yue sent the ball to Curry, and Curry dribbled the ball to the familiar wing corner. Rondo was worried that the opponent would directly interfere with some small movements that the referee would not be able to detect.

The referee couldn't see it, but for Curry, these were real fouls.

Curry was a little displeased. After continuous bad luck, he broke forward and then pulled back. Rondo was physically uncoordinated. His mind wanted to retract his defense, but his body couldn't do it, causing him to slide to the ground.

"Isn't this just shaking?" Barkley said in surprise.

Curry threw the ball under Rondo's disbelieving eyes.

It was another three-pointer, still holding the ball, and shot after one-on-one knockdown. It seems that Rondo will also be used as a background board. Stealing chickens is not a loss. This time being knocked down actually helped the opponent score.

62 to 62, the Thunder finally chased the score to a tie, and the sound of cheering was overwhelming.

Who said that iron-blooded players only have mid-range shots and three-pointers.

(End of this chapter)