Playing against the Warriors, Antetokounmpo sprained his ankle in the second half and hasn't played since. www.biquge.info However, the Lakers still won the final victory of the game without danger.

According to the results of the team doctor's examination, Antetokounmpo had a relatively large area of soft tissue damage around his ankle, although it was not very serious, but he still needed to recuperate. If you want to play again, then I'm afraid it will take about three weeks. In other words, Antetokounmpo will miss the rest of the month.

After January 10th, the Lakers still have a total of 10 games to play, including 2 home games and 8 away games, which can be said to be a difficult schedule. Among the 10 opponents, the more threatening ones are the Rockets and Pistons. Playing the Rockets is No. 15, playing the Pistons is No. 18, and it is back-to-back on the road. These are the two more stressful games for the Lakers, and other than that, the other eight games are not particularly threatening for the Lakers.

Because of Antetokounmpo's unexpected injury, the Lakers' sick number of players has reached four, and there is also a vacancy in the original starting lineup. The Rockets are about to be played, and many people are also paying attention to the Lakers to see who Chu Xuan will arrange to start in place of Antetokounmpo.

Judging by the current lineup, Devin Booker and Downs are both good options. If Devin Booker starts, then LaVine will have to play the No. 3 position, and his height and confrontation will suffer a bit. And if Towns starts, then Knoll will have to play the No. 3 position again, which is the so-called three-inside play, after all, in the last season, the Lakers used the three-inside play of Noel + Gasol + Whiteside many times, and the results were quite large.

However, it is unknown how these two options will work, as it is difficult to predict what Downs and the Twin Towers will be able to play at the same time.

Chu Xuan studied and considered this matter for a long time, and finally he decided to play three inside, after all, this is a more mature style of play for the Lakers, and the only change is nothing more than Gasol becoming Towns. However, in Chu Xuan's opinion, Downs is definitely a perfect substitute for Gasol's role, because Downs' range can also reach the three-point line, and his defense and response skills are also very good, the important thing is that Downs's style of play is tougher than Gasol, which is what Chu Xuan expects from him.

With apprehension and a little excitement, the game is finally approaching.

On the night of the 15th, the Staples Center was full of fans, stars were shining on the sidelines, and many well-known people appeared on the sidelines. And many family members of Lakers players are also watching this game, because the game between the Lakers and the Rockets is still a game that everyone is extremely concerned about, and it can be said that it is the most important opponent of the season.

The Rockets are the imaginary rivals of the Lakers' Western Conference Finals, so Chu Xuan still attaches great importance to this opportunity.

"Audience friends, audience friends, welcome everyone to watch today's ......"

After a brief opening remark, the courtside commentator quickly talked about the game: "On the 3rd of this month, the Lakers played the Rockets once at the Toyota Center. However, at that time, because the Lakers were in a long winning streak, the players were extremely tired, and finally head coach Chu Xuan chose to let the main players rest, and the team lost because of it. This is the second meeting between the two teams this season, and although the Lakers are missing Yannis Antetokounmpo today, the other four starters will play today's game...... As for the Rockets, Anthony, who did not play in the last meeting, will play today, and the Rockets have a complete lineup...... There is no doubt that there will be a great matchup tonight, which is what everyone has been waiting for. ”

In fact, for the pinnacle matchup between the Lakers and the Rockets, fans around the world have been looking forward to it for a very long time. The last time he failed to get his wish, Chu Xuan was also complained by the fans. And this time, it was obvious that Chu Xuan would not do this.

Moreover, after four days of rest for the Lakers, the players' mental state and physical reserves are very good, which will increase the intensity of the confrontation between the two sides in this game.

"According to the latest news that comes in, the Lakers' starting lineup has been decided. Today, the Lakers will play three inside, which is a more common style of play for the Lakers last season. The three-inside defense of rebounds and the defense of the restricted area are very strong, and Howard will obviously be tested a lot today. However, the Lakers play three inside, and there will definitely be some problems with the speed of switching defenses on the outside, so the performance of Harden and Anthony will be crucial. ”

As commentators say, the Rockets only have Howard on the real inside, and Anthony and Parsons can both play the No. 4 position, but both of them can pull to the outside to shoot, and they are a great threat on the offensive end, plus two offensive guards who are good at projection, it can be said that if the Rockets want to win today, it depends entirely on the outside play.

Chu Xuan certainly considered this problem, but he was still determined to play three inside, rather than starting Danny Green or Devin Booker to increase the intensity of the outside defense. The main reason for this is that he wants to limit Harden's breakaway kill and Howard's destructive power on the inside. Because if Howard doesn't contribute on the inside, then the Rockets who lose the support of the interior seem to have nothing to fear. Even if his outside shooting is accurate, but without the guarantee of rebounding, what threat can he have?

Of course, there is also the most important point, and that is because his opponent today is McHale, a fantastic head coach who can often direct a few blind tactics.

……

"Kevin, are you guys ready to take a beating today? These guys said they were going to kick you in the ass. ”

On the sidelines, Chu Xuan and McHale shook hands, the two of them were old acquaintances, and Chu Xuan always liked to tease this old man.

McHale raised his eyebrows, and seemed not to be interested in Chu Xuan's wild words: "Hey, Chu, you were kicked in the ass last time." I think you've learned a lesson, and that's the consequences of belittling your opponent. ”

Chu Xuan couldn't help but smile slightly, he knew what McHale was referring to. In the last game, because Chu Xuan let the main team take turns to rest, not only the outside world was stunned, but the entire Houston felt despised in the whole of Houston, especially the Rocket players were a little angry, McHale told Chu Xuan at the time that his approach was naked contempt and even provocation, which would only stimulate the Rockets.

"Kevin, are you still haunting what happened a few days ago? In fact, you have to understand that I gave you a chance to make history. You know, if we go 81-1 this season, you're going to lose the only game, and you're going to go down in history and live on forever. ”

McHale snorted lightly: "Chu, you are too naïve. All I can say is that you're going to get your second defeat soon......"

Apparently, McHale thinks the Rockets can still beat the Lakers.

However, Chu Xuan chuckled: "Yes, we will lose the second game." However, it will certainly not be lost to you. ”

McHale smiled playfully: "You're so sure? I am not afraid of the wind and flashed my tongue. ”

Chu Xuan stared at McHale, his dark eyes revealing endless confidence, only to see him say word by word: "Because I won't allow my team to lose to the same opponent twice." So, you don't have a chance to win against us again this season. ”

The voice is sonorous and powerful, revealing a strong sense of confidence and arrogance......

"Hehe, since that's the case, let's see~"

**********

The big screen showed the starters of today's game.

Rockets: Kanan, Harden, Anthony, Parsons, Howard.

Lakers: Kobe, LaVine, Knoll, Towns, Whiteside.

The run-in of the Rockets' Big Four is very good, and so far their team record is only the Lakers, and they are on the same level as the Cavaliers. The four star players playing together must have their own sacrifices, and this year's Rockets, Howard's individual score dropped from 20.6 points last season to 15.8 points, and Anthony's score dropped from 28.9 points to 18.2 points, which was caused by his sacrifice of too many shots, and of course, in exchange for the rapid run-in of the Rockets' Big Four. As for Parsons and Harden, they are maintaining very well, which is related to their own technical characteristics.

Howard and Whiteside fight for the ball, and the basketball is taken by Whiteside.

When such a scene appeared, the commentator couldn't help but let out a chuckle: "Dwight's body flow is really degraded very quickly, I think in a few years, when he loses his explosive power and bounce power, he will completely become a blue-collar worker." Hehe, he still had to fight with Kobe Bryant for power at the beginning, and finally left in a hurry? As a result, he is now a supporting role next to James Harden, and Kobe Bryant is still the hottest player in the league. ”

There was a lot of mockery and contempt in his voice, and it was clear that Staples and the city of Los Angeles were still haunted by what happened more than two years ago. After all, Howard abandoned the Lakers at that time and became enemies with Kobe. However, the current situation of the two is the biggest irony, Howard still does not have any championships, and he has not been able to be the boss of the Rockets. As for Kobe, he is still the absolute core of the Lakers, and in the more than two years since Howard left, he has won 2 more championships.

Undoubtedly, this is the great irony......

The commentator's voice was also unscrupulous, and the fans couldn't help but let out a mocking boo, which made Howard's face quite unsightly. He couldn't help but curse in his heart, you know, it's been more than two years since this damn thing, but there are still people who always talk about it.

Howard was a little angry, but he couldn't respond because he hadn't been treated well since he left the Lakers and every time he returned to the Staples Center. And all he can do is fight back with action.

At the beginning of the game, both sides did not feel good about shooting, and the game lasted for more than five minutes, and the score of the two sides was 5:6, and the Rockets were one point behind. In this case, Chu Xuan first called a timeout and made a little change in offensive tactics. On the Rockets' side, McHale will obviously make changes.

With both sides hitting less than 30 per cent, a change is needed next. You know, whoever can find a solution to the game first will be able to maintain the psychological advantage and grasp the initiative of the game.

The first offense of the Lakers, Kobe Bryant made a three-pointer, which greatly boosted the morale of the Lakers.

"At the critical moment, it still depends on Kobe, the veteran's control of the game is definitely not comparable to the young."

"That is, as the saying goes, if there is a treasure in the family, the Lakers have Kobe, and the benefits definitely outweigh the disadvantages."

Under the praise, it was the Rockets' turn to attack, Anthony received a pass from Harden and made his trademark step-out jumper, but in the face of Knoll's interference, he still missed the shot.

However, the rebound was scrambling for Howard.

Seriously, the moment he got the rebound, Howard was definitely full of energy and desire, and he was too eager to have the ball to attack. However, during the timeout, he asked McHale for more shots and was not allowed, which made him a little angry. In the current Rockets, out of five starters, his options on the offensive end are definitely at the bottom of the list, and even an obscure little guy like Kanan is more important than him.

Since others don't give him a chance to attack, then he can only rely on himself. So after getting this rebound, Howard didn't hesitate to make a second offense, the basket was strong, and he was about to smash the basketball to the basket with his thick arms held high...... However, the explosion of the basket that excites his nerves did not appear......

Howard only felt as if his arms were being concentrated by a huge force, the basketball was detached from his hands, and the whole person lost its center.

"God, what did I see! The dunk of the Warcraft was blocked by force, Hassan, it was Hassan Whiteside, the big white edge, the big white edge covered the Warcraft. ”

I have to say that Whiteside's upper limb confrontation is quite strong, especially in the past two years, he has almost the same size of upper limb muscles as Howard in the gym. Coupled with his individual performance at the level of 15 points and 10 boards per game in the talented Lakers, Whiteside is now called the best center after Cousins by many media.

In other words, in this league, Howard is slowly falling out of the field of vision of fans, and it is no longer the powerful monster that is madly obsessed.

And this time, in the direct competition between the two super centers, Whiteside used his actions to make Howard lose face...... A guy who was known for being strong was humiliated in this way.

……

Whiteside's block of Howard was a big blow to the Rockets' morale, while also making Howard even less considered on the offensive end. After that, as he missed two more shots, Harden and Anthony simply ignored Howard's existence, making him a blue-collar presence who grabbed rebounds and defended.

However, Howard's ability to fight for rebounds is not particularly strong, especially in the face of a super interior team like the Lakers, around Whiteside, Noll, and Towns, he fights three by himself, and he can't grab rebounds at all.

Unable to play on the offensive end, unable to grab rebounds, and poor defensively, the meaning of Howard's existence on the court seems to be simply running back and forth.

Without interior support, the Rockets' offense is completely out of shape.

On the Lakers' side, Kobe Bryant launched a personal offensive mode, with the explosion of his hand, his movements on the court are almost incomprehensible, and as Kobe Bryant frequently scores points with his trademark mid-range jumper, the Lakers' lead is getting bigger and bigger.

In the first quarter of the game, the Lakers completely blew up the Rockets, which made McHale helpless.

When entering the break and waiting for the start of the second quarter of the game, McHale looked at the score of 13:28, and his heart was full of gloom. The 15-point difference is just a quarter, and McHale is full of pressure in his heart, and he can't help but scold these pig-like players.

On the Lakers' side, the rest area is relaxed.

'We played characteristically and that made us do well. Next, to keep it up, defense still comes first. On the offensive end, increase mid-range shots ......"

Because the Rockets only have one interior on the court, this makes the Rockets' defense at the free-throw line and the horns very weak. And for the Lakers, it's exactly the mid-range area they do best. You know, as long as the Lakers can increase their mid-range offense, then the Rockets will definitely face trouble. If Howard pounces to make up for the defense, then the restricted area is completely empty, and the Lakers' big center will not be allowed to wreak havoc under the basket.

"The Rockets completely gave up on the inside offense, and the tactics were very simple, that is, four players took turns shooting on the outside, which is really a rush to play."

Staples Center, an eerie atmosphere.

It seems that everyone is curious about McHale's tactical choice, and he gave up the inside line so easily? Can this be said to be a self-shut-off arm?

Seeing this, Chu Xuan couldn't help but show a chuckle: "It seems that I will always overestimate my opponents, because their powerful appearance will blind me." ”

Chu Xuan was referring to the Rockets' strong lineup configuration.

You must know that in addition to the Big Four, this year's point guard Kanan also ushered in a big explosion, averaging 13.6 points, 4.4 rebounds and 4.9 assists per game, and the three-point shooting rate was as high as 39.7%. For a second-round draft player who is only six feet tall, it is absolutely surprising to be able to play such a well-rounded performance. Obviously, Kanan is no small gain for the Rockets.

In the entire second quarter of the game, Kanan scored 5 points and sent two wonderful passes, which gave the Rockets a great boost. And Harden, Anthony, and Parsons are also full of recovery, and they are frequently blooming outside the three-point line, and they are on par with the Lakers. By the end of the half, the margin had been reduced to 14 points.

Looking at the score of 26:25 in a single quarter, Chu Xuan couldn't help but shake his head and sighed: "A few blind tactics are really the most amazing tactics, any team can win, but any team can also lose." I really don't know if I should admire Kevin McHale or the Rockets' players? (To be continued.) )