Chapter 852 [Terror Defense, Blue-Collar Center]

The Rockets attacked. After the pick-and-roll, Harden forced his way to the left. He used the European step but failed to get rid of Draymond Green. He dodged and sidestepped to avoid the block. He forced the basketball and bounced out of the frame. The rebound was missed by Gasol. Grab it.

After the Clippers' position battle, Curry used Gasol's off-ball screen to get rid of Beverley, and received a pass from Luther Raymond. This time Howard defended it.

Curry immediately passed the ball back to the free throw line in the middle, with Draymond leaning against Bosh. The latter did not pause and passed the ball to the basket. Although Gasol was not fast in cutting, Howard was As soon as the defense came out, the inside was empty. Gasol caught the ball and easily dunked the ball in three steps. 5 to 0.

The Rockets attacked, and Harden played a pick-and-roll with Bosh again. This time, he passed the ball to Bosh in the corner and stretched himself outside the three-point line.

Bosh had a height advantage and decided to play in isolation. He squeezed Draymond twice with his back, and his turnaround jumper missed the basket due to interference. Although Draymond can't block him, he will use physical confrontation to disrupt his opponent's shooting rhythm and try to close his eyes.

Howard rushed to grab an offensive rebound and tried to get stronger, but Gasol fouled him.

Howard made one of two free throws, 5-1.

The Clippers brought the Rockets into their own rhythm at the beginning. After that, the players kept helping Curry get the ball comfortably, trying to get Howard out of the penalty area and looking for mismatch opportunities. Both Draymond and Gasol can cut to the basket and catch the ball and make mid-range shots.

Beverley had a hard time playing. No matter how good he is in single defense, he is only 185cm tall. Once he is blocked by a big man, it will take time to get around. He can interfere with shots and prevent Curry from blocking shots, but Curry can throw in front of people without missing a beat.

Last season, Curry's skills have reached the peak. If the opponent uses a short point guard to defend alone, he dares to throw it endlessly.

Although Beverley was selected to the All-Defensive Second Team, his defensive method was of little use to Curry, who likes to find cover. Every time he faced off, he was almost crushed by Curry.

Curry averaged 23.8 points, 4.5 rebounds and 7.1 assists per game, shooting 47.9% from the field and 41.5% from three-point range; Beverley averaged 7.2 points, 3 rebounds and 2.6 assists, shooting 36.9% from the field and 30.6% from three-point range.

In a single quarter, Curry made 6 of 11 shots, 3 of 6 three-pointers, and scored 15 points and 2 assists. Others scored more evenly. Gay, who came off the bench at 6 minutes, scored the second most points, scoring 5 points.

The Clippers led 29 to 18. The Rockets, who were unanimously optimistic about the summer, only scored 18 points in a single quarter. The Big Three's offensive end was not worthy of their reputation.

New aid Bosh made 0 of 3 shots and didn't score a point, which disappointed Rockets fans; Howard made 1 of 3 shots and 2 of 4 free throws, and only had 4 points and 4 rebounds; Harden, the best performer, scored 7 points and hit 10% from the field. not tall.

In the second quarter, Yang Rui sent out LaVine, Gay, Antetokounmpo, Nene, and Whiteside, which overwhelmed the Rockets bench players.

On the offensive end, the Clippers attack the basket wildly. Nene has skills and strength. It is an opportunity to challenge Terrence Jones alone. Antetokounmpo is also an opportunity to challenge Papanikolaou, the 2012 second-round forward, but White can't make the shot. Seid can rush for offensive rebounds, and the two people on the outside are separated and waiting to catch the ball and shoot a three-pointer.

On the defensive end, the Clippers' several wingspan maniacs surrounded the penalty area, and the Rockets players couldn't hit it at all, let alone break through and score the ball. Jones made a strong play, turned around and threw in the middle, and was slapped directly from the penalty area to the backcourt by Bai Bian...

All five members of the Rockets were guarded. Even veteran Terry and the outstandingly skilled Motiejunas were unable to do anything. The Clippers used a zone defense. The shortest LaVine was 196cm. The other four were all over two meters tall and could always interfere. Shoot.

Looking at physical fitness, in addition to inside and outside, the Clippers have four monsters on the bench, with extremely fast speed and amazing wingspan. Nene is also experienced on the defensive end, has a tough style of play, and can resist people and defend pick-and-rolls.

The point difference widened to 19 points. Rockets coach McHale was forced to request a timeout. After that, the two sides gradually replaced the main players. When Draymond replaced Whiteside, the Clippers' defense became better and their offensive ability was better. Also with strengthening.

Gasol came back with only 4 minutes left.

The Clippers continued to have the upper hand inside, and at halftime, the Clippers led 61 to 39.

During the halftime break, commentators from various radio stations analyzed the game and agreed that the Clippers' big lead was due to their defense. Their defense was better than last season, and the swingman defense was particularly good. Even LaVine at the No. 1 position on the outside was not a loophole.

Draymond, who played 18 minutes, performed best on the defensive end. He guarded Bosh, who made 0 of 5 shots in the half, didn't score a point, and only grabbed two rebounds, which was a disgrace. When encountering a pick-and-roll, Draymond can switch defenders in time without being passed.

In the second half, the Rockets' offense was still weak. Howard and Bosh were repeatedly frustrated. Harden was the only offensive point with the ball on the outside. Everyone else was waiting for shooting opportunities.

The Clippers' offense was very methodical. Curry played the entire quarter, looking for mismatch opportunities and attracting defensive points. On the defensive end, the Clippers had no reservations. The Rockets they were guarding couldn't hit the basket. Howard fouled when he got deep into the basket and sent him a free throw. The Rockets were forced to shoot from the outside.

Entering the final quarter with a 26-point lead, the Clippers' core got off work early. LaVine, Danny Green, Antetokounmpo, Nene, and Whiteside played five players, combining inside and outside to maintain their advantage.

After 5 minutes, McHale was helpless. The Rockets could only shoot from the outside. The Clippers' bench defense was very good. The two sides later played all substitutes. The Clippers even had opportunities to play on the fringe players Covington and Crabbe. The Clippers played better.

The final score was 115 to 84, and the Clippers won the opening game by 31 points.

Curry had the best performance, playing 30 minutes and scoring 28 points, 4 rebounds, 6 assists and 2 steals; Gasol played 30 minutes, scoring 17 points, 11 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 blocks; Nene, who scored the third most points, made 7 of 10 shots and free throws. 2 of 2, efficient 16 points and 5 rebounds.

Six members of the Clippers team scored in double figures, which is the scariest thing. Everyone is capable of scoring, and fringe man Crabbe also hit a three-pointer.

On the Rockets' side, Harden made 7 of 17 shots, 3 of 6 three-pointers, 9 of 10 free throws, and scored 26 points, 2 rebounds, and 5 assists.

Howard performed poorly. He made 3 of 5 shots and 7 of 16 free throws. He scored 13 points, 11 rebounds and 3 assists. He didn't dare to take action if he couldn't get rid of the big man. He was pulled to the free throw line when he got a mismatched opportunity.

Bosh had the worst performance, making 2 of 9 shots, 0 of 2 three-pointers, 1 of 1 free throws, 5 points, 5 rebounds and 2 assists. This performance made Morey depressed and wanted to return the product.

Howard's low post offense is finished. Even if it's not finished yet, he still needs a ventilator to survive. According to statistics, Howard's post-playing data has been declining in the past few seasons.

11-12 season: 49.9% shooting rate, 13.6% turnover rate.

12-13 season: 44.5% shooting rate, 18.2% turnover rate.

13-14 season: 43.7% shooting rate, 20.2% turnover rate.

It's a widely circulated story that Howard never mastered the post-up game. Even when his shooting percentage was high, he didn't have the gorgeous footsteps, let alone McHale's skills. At his peak, he was good at explosive movements and reverse turns. In addition to turning around, his low-post weapon arsenal relies on a dribble breakthrough from the middle. He can use hooks on the left and right sides of the penalty area and with both hands.

In 2011 and 2012, Howard moved very quickly, and you couldn't even tell that he was moving in the opposite direction, so smoothly. His speed advantage makes defenders either caught off guard and unable to block shots, or left far behind.

Now, Howard has slowed down, so he's just a blue collar guy.

In just one game, the Rockets were beaten and their true colors were revealed. They were still far away from winning the championship.

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