The Way of the Center

Chapter 76: Stand Up

"The Rockets definitely did not expect that they would encounter such tenacious resistance from the Thunder before the game. Although the Rockets did firmly control the rhythm of the field, the Thunder have been clinging to the score. If the Rockets in the fourth quarter The team has committed the old problem of collapsing at the end of the quarter, so the Thunder will definitely not refuse this great gift." The decisive battle is imminent, and the commentators of various channels also made analysis before the decisive battle.

"I think the key to the fourth quarter is the performance of these two Chinese big men." An ESPN commentator put forward a different point of view.

"Oh? Yao Ming has already scored 18 points in the third quarter, and An Jie of the Thunder has only scored 9 points and 7 rebounds. Do you think he can compete with Yao?" It is obvious that the guest commentator prefers to use Data speaks for itself.

"Perhaps on the books, Ann's stats are indeed inferior to Yao, but don't forget that Ann also sent out 6 assists, and don't forget how Durant made four of four shots in the second quarter. If it weren't for An How can those frizzy kids on the Thunder play so efficiently?"

"Oh, Anke is a big center with a height of 2.19 meters. You can't use him as Steve Nash. I admit that he did pass a few good shots, but only relying on this Chinese kid's magical pen, The Thunder can't win the game. I think the key to the fourth quarter is whether Westbrook or Wilcox can stand up. If they can stand up on the offensive end, then Durant's offensive pressure will be zero. Doubts will be greatly reduced."

The commentators were discussing intensely, and it can be seen that Carlesimo did not deliberately target Anjie, but because everyone viewed the game from a different perspective. It's just a pity that in Carasimo's eyes, An Jie's style of play was not recognized.

Although it was a break during the festival, the cheers from the audience never stopped. Houston is a team that aims directly at the championship. If they lose against an opponent like the Thunder, it will undoubtedly be unacceptable to the fans. They used their hoarse shouts to cheer up the Rockets players, hoping that they could stabilize the situation in the fourth quarter.

But when the fourth quarter started, the hearts of the Rockets fans hung up again.

First, Ralph Alston missed an open three-pointer.

Then Luis Scola hits the basket with a hook.

Then came Ron Artest's two hits in a row.

The Rockets' four consecutive offenses were fruitless, and fans felt that the cursed fourth quarter seemed to hang over the Toyota Center again.

Taking advantage of these few rounds, Thunder power forward Wilcox chased after the victory. He made 2 of 3 shots and scored four points in a row, closing the point difference to only two points.

"The Rockets will pay a heavy price for their sluggish fourth quarter!" The ESPN commentator really couldn't stand the Rockets squandering their advantages like this.

The Rockets' fifth offense, everyone is looking forward to someone who can stand up and break the embarrassment that the Rockets have not scored in the fourth quarter. At this time, Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady are sitting on the bench, so can the rest of the Rockets withstand the Thunder's fierce counterattack during the rest of the two pivots?

But unfortunately, after Aaron Brooks missed another three-pointer, the entire Toyota Center fans were ashamed. Adelman also had to call a timeout after the ball came back. There were only seven minutes left in the game. It seemed that it was time for the decisive battle to be staged in advance.

Carlesimo had to admit that Anjie's ability to protect the rim was indeed stronger than that of Collison and Petro, so after struggling for a while, he decided to send Anjie to play the last seven minutes .

"Ann! Remember! Go to the low post for me! Don't be too far from the three-second zone! Don't go to the high post to stand up! Except for pick-and-rolls, I want you to stay in the low post all the time!" Carasimo emphasized himself to An Jie An Jie didn't answer, but just nodded slightly.

"...The weakness of the Rockets in the fourth quarter has a lot to do with Coach Adelman's employment strategy! The inappropriate rotation in the first three quarters has caused the players to consume a lot of energy. The players who are not supported can't exert their strength at all! Eh? An Jie and Yao Ming are ready to play!" In the CCTV studio, the two commentators who were discussing fiercely were both given by the two yellow-skinned big men on the screen. attract.

"Audience friends, it seems that we can feast our eyes on the next decisive battle!"

"Ann, you can rest assured to go to the low post, Russell and I can handle it." Durant knew that there was a disagreement between Anjie and the coach, although Anjie's pass to him could indeed make him play better. Comfortable, but he couldn't cause An Jie to lose his main position just for his own data.

"Don't worry about attacking, I will try my best to restrain Yao Ming." An Jie looked at the re-appearing Yao Ming, this big brother is very easy-going and easy to get along with outside the court. But on the field, he still really didn't give An Jie any face. When it's time to make a move, Yao Ming never relents!

Sure enough, as soon as Yao Ming came up, he leaned on An Jie and stretched out his hand for the ball. An Jie's chassis was very stable this time, Yao Ming made the first impact, but found that he had only advanced a small step!

Not only because of Anjie's adequate preparation, but also because of Yao Ming's serious decline in physical strength in the fourth quarter. With such a large height and weight, while these things bring benefits to Yao Ming, they will also burden Yao Ming with a greater burden than others.

Yao Ming didn't continue to walk in, but turned around to face the frame, and took off to shoot.

The hearts of all Rockets fans are tugged. Can this ball break the Rockets' scoring shortage in the fourth quarter?

An Jie tried his best to interfere, but he could only interfere. It was impossible to block the ball.

Yao Ming was not intimidated by An Jie's long arms, he still shot the ball according to his own shooting rhythm.

"An Jie's defense is very good! Yao Ming made a shot! The goal was scored! The Rockets finally scored their first point since the start of the fourth quarter! Yao Ming did not make a mistake when facing An Jie! Even though An Jie tried his best, he still couldn't stop it Yao Ming's scoring steps!" Every head-to-head confrontation between An Jie and Yao Ming will lead to a climax in the CCTV studio.

"Good defense, but I won't let you win." After Yao Ming scored a goal, he issued a warning to An Jie, trying to snatch the victory from him? Just like what Yao Ming said when chatting with An Jie before the game, there is no way!

The touch is softer than myself, and the field of vision is wider than myself. An Jie reluctantly picked up the basketball and ran to the baseline. This is the strength of the league's number one center.

"I don't blame you for this ball! It's okay, we just return one!" Westbrook was full of confidence, and An Jie also smiled, he knew what he should do later.

Westbrook pushed the ball into the opponent's half as quickly as lightning. Alston was disgraced by this rookie today, so he focused every time he met Westbrook.

Westbrook changed direction directly in front of his body and was ready to break through.

"Don't think about the NBA so simply!" Alstom immediately followed. But because his attention was all on Westbrook, he didn't realize that An Jie was standing beside him at this time.

"Bang!" In the fierce collision, the thin Alston was firmly blocked by Anjie, and Westbrook's breakthrough was unimpeded!

His speed is already very fast, but what is unexpected is that Westbrook can still speed up!

Yao Ming quickly made up for the penalty area, but because Westbrook's speed was too fast, and Yao Ming's footsteps were a few shots slower in the fourth quarter, Yao Ming didn't make it in time for the ball. Tebrook draws a foul.

"Just fight like this!" Carrasimo waved his fists on the field. He only saw Westbrook's wonderful breakthrough, but ignored Angie's perfect cover.

Westbrook made no mistake this time, and made two free throws steadily. The Thunder continued to maintain a threat to the Rockets!

Yao Ming and McGrady did not disappoint the fans in the following games. Not only did they not appear weak in the fourth quarter, but these two arrow figures are the best performing players of the Rockets now.

McGrady even made two shots in front of Durant, including a three-pointer.

In addition to Yao Mai, Carl Landry also showed his aggressiveness in the fourth quarter. Facing the defensive black hole of Wilcox, he was able to fully demonstrate his offensive skills.

Young teams have the advantages of young teams, but the disadvantages also exist. The biggest disadvantage is that there is no experienced and capable leader in this team, and no one can help them stabilize the situation at critical moments. How many frizzy young people can keep calm at critical moments?

Due to Carlesimo's order, Anjie couldn't get a chance to score in the low post, and after several losses, the Rockets players also changed their defensive strategy. Now Anjie's pick-and-roll is not as threatening as it was at the beginning .

The Thunder's offense has fallen into the quagmire again, and now Carlesimo only hopes that Durant can use his personal ability to take over the game.

But in the face of Ron Artest's fierce defense, Durant seemed a little at a loss in the absence of support. If the Thunder can have an experienced veteran stand up and command at this time, then these three rookies can at least have a clear offensive thinking. It's just a pity that there is no such role in the Thunder team.

Forcibly break through! But Durant, who is as thin as Anjie, is no match for Artest's beast.

Durant passed the ball and found Westbrook. Adelman is not a fool. After Alston completely lost the threat to Westbrook, the man who defended Westbrook became Tracy McGrady. Facing McGrady's defense, Westbrook's sharp breakthrough also failed to reproduce.

At a loss, Westbrook saw Anjie holding out his hands for the ball!

"That guy, is he going to play singles with Yao Ming in the low post!?" Westbrook's eyes widened, but he still handed over the ball in time.

Seeing that his teammates couldn't open up the situation, An Jie felt that he had to stand up. He could score once on Yao Ming's head, why couldn't he score a second time!

An Jie held the ball with both hands and kept testing Yao Ming with his back.

"It's very tight, right now!" An Jie suddenly dribbled the ball and turned towards the bottom line, trying to break through!

Yao Ming quickly puffed up his chest and blocked An Jie's way. But An Jie didn't give in, and forced his way in with all his strength.

"It's the last level!" An Jie knew that the breakthrough was not over yet, he had to be able to avoid Yao Ming's blocking.

So after the breakthrough, Anjie didn't jump directly to attack the basket, but continued along the bottom line, running from one side of the basket to the other. After that, he didn't look up at the frame, but took off directly, and An Jie, with his back to the basket, dunked his hands behind his back!

"An Jie suddenly broke through Yao Ming's defense! In this post-up single, An Jie successfully scored points on Yao Ming's head!" The ESPN commentator had to applaud this very enjoyable dunk. Man, really brought a wonderful inside duel to the audience!

"Brother Yao, we will never give up!" An Jie responded to Yao Ming's words just now. The two Chinese were enemies and friends on the court, encouraging each other, but not giving in to each other.

An Jie stepped forward at the critical moment, and his wonderful dunk brought the point difference between the two sides back to six points again. At this moment, there are only three minutes before the end of the game. It seems that until the last moment, the two teams can't tell the difference.

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