687: Westbrook's Miracle Light
Russell. Westbrook frowned, he knew that the man in front of him was called Paul. George's guy isn't easy to mess with.
Hit Malcolm at the beginning. Brogdon, Westbrook is still handy. But playing George now really puts a lot of pressure on Westbrook.
But Westbrook is not afraid, he is the star of the Thunder, he is the savior of this team, he can't be afraid! As a result, Westbrook began to alternate between his left and right hands, shaking his center of gravity while finding a rhythm. Then he seized the opportunity and shot it out like a bullet!
"Westbrook was going to break through George, he was fast, but George wasn't out of position!"
George gritted his teeth and clung to the lightning-fast number 0 defender, who didn't give Westbrook any chance. Antetokounmpo, meanwhile, also made up for the penalty area and waited for Westbrook to throw himself into the net.
If Westbrook chooses to split the ball to the leaked Jeramy. Grant, Henson won't be nervous either. If Grant wants to shoot a three-pointer, let the kid shoot. If Grant's three-pointer kills people, Henson will admit it.
Westbrook is impulsive, but not stupid. Seeing George and Antetokounmpo guarding the basket, if he forcibly attacked the frame, he was afraid that he would ask for trouble.
So, Westbrook split the ball. But the target of the ball is not Grant, but Thunder's new signing Dennis. Schroeder.
Dennis. Schroder played the role of sixth man for the Thunder this season, and whenever the Thunder needed a change, Schroder was always the first to be sent by Donovan.
After Schroder received the basketball, Brogdon immediately spread his arms and stuck to it. Today, Brogdon did a good job defending Schroder, and so far in the game, Schroder has only scored 2 points. There is no doubt that his role as a sixth man is not reflected at all.
"Here, pass!" Just as Schroeder was at a loss for what to do with Brogdon, he suddenly heard Westbrook shouting.
The young point guard didn't think much about it and immediately "shook the pot". Westbrook received the basketball as soon as he stepped out of the three-point line, and what was even more surprising was that he pulled up and shot as soon as he received the basketball!
"What!?" Henson gritted his teeth, and Westbrook made another three-point shot!
George tried his best to block, but with too much force, he hit Westbrook's hand in the air.
The referee was standing right next to the two, so the foul was not missed. He blew his whistle and signaled for George to be fouled from beyond the three-point line. As soon as the whistle blew, the basketball jumped into the net!
"Damn!" Henson cursed, Westbrook actually got a chance to score a four!
Westbrook, who fell to the ground, immediately stood up and roared wildly. He used his worst way today to pull the Thunder back from the edge of the cliff many times.
By this time, the game had reached the fifth minute of the third quarter, after the Thunder trailed by 6 points. The Pacers' succession of offense has made them ready to get up and running.
However, at this juncture, a four-point hit from Westbrook interrupted the Pacers' momentum. After this goal, Westbrook's three-point shooting percentage today became 3 of 4 shots!
That's right, with a stubborn Westbrook finally playing the kind of game he imagined it to be on 3-of-4 shooting.
Since Westbrook had already scored two life-saving three-pointers, Henson specifically instructed George not to give him an easy start. As everyone knows, this time George sealed it to his fingertips, but it allowed Westbrook to win a four.
It seems that today, Westbrook is serious. This guy wants to prove himself by crushing the Pacers from the bottom of his heart.
After a wild celebration, Westbrook stepped to the free-throw line. This guy's 65.6% free-throw percentage this season is considered a poor game among guards, but Westbrook's form today cannot be judged by his average data per game.
Sure enough, guard No. 0 hit a free throw and scored a four-point shot.
In an instant, the difference between the two teams became 2 points again. Henson pouted helplessly, he didn't believe Westbrook could score like this all the time.
But what happened next made Henson angry.
In the eighth minute of the third quarter, George's goal widened the gap to eight points. With just one more goal to score next, the Pacers can stretch the gap to double digits and take complete control of the game.
So, Westbrook stepped up and hit a three-pointer in the bottom left corner of the net hollow into the net......
In the second minute of the fourth quarter, Antetokounmpo dunked Jeramy. Grant scored and had a penalty opportunity.
After successfully hitting a three-pointer, Westbrook dribbled and borrowed cover and shot directly, a Curry-style shooting option!
Then, Westbrook's three-pointer hit again! 5-of-6, this guy's three-point shooting percentage almost made Henson think that Donovan also had a badge or something to add to Westbrook.
In the fifth minute of the fourth quarter, Westbrook's three-pointer directly narrowed the gap between the two teams to two points.
Seven minutes before the end of the game, the Pacers still didn't pull away, much to Henson's annoyance. In his imagination, this game should not be so difficult.
So, the Chinese coach called for a halt to the game. He must admit that he underestimated Westbrook's resilience. Moreover, the randomness of the game is also underestimated.
Westbrook shot 5-of-6 from three-point range, and no one would have believed it before the game began. And yet, he just happened. So, a miracle happened here.
It's just that in the past, miracles have happened to walkers. And today, the light of miracles shines on Westbrook.
"It's not good, guys. Westbrook made a very smooth three-point shot today, and I certainly don't blame your defense, your defense has no problems. But that guy, he just can throw the ball in...... So next, I want you to fight back from the three-point line. Create chances with the breakaway ball and then take advantage of it. I don't want to lose two games in four days, so today, I don't want any surprises. ”
Henson did not emphasize how to defend Westbrook, but instead laid out the team's offense first, and if Westbrook really couldn't stop it today, Henson must be ready to play against the Thunder.
Don't you like to shoot three-pointers? Let's see whose three-point shot is more murderous!
So, after this timeout, the Pacers changed lineups.
Henson replaced Brogdon with Tucker and replaced Oladipo with Bogdanovic.
The lineup changed to Antetokounmpo, George, Bogdanovic, Tucker and Lopez.
The Pacers don't have a real guard on the court, so Westbrook will struggle no matter who he hits in the wrong position.
And this lineup, except for Antetokounmpo, all four of them can shoot three-pointers, and they shoot well.
George is shooting nearly 40 percent from three-point range this season, and Bogdanovic is shooting 42.5 percent from three-point range. Lopez and Tucker also shot 36 percent and 37 percent from three-point range, respectively.
Four shooters give Antetokounmpo space, and the Thunder will be punished from beyond the three-point line if they dare to shrink at all.
Looking at this lineup of the Pacers, Thunder coach Billy . Donovan swallowed his saliva, offense, height and three-pointers, and the lineup was perfectly balanced in every way.
He admits that he doesn't have any ability to crack this lineup.
The only thing Donovan can count on now is to pray that Westbrook's magical form continues.
But when a manager needs to put the treasure on luck and magic, he is actually half lost.
Henson stood on the sidelines with confidence, and from now on, the Thunder won't have another chance.