NBA: Being criticized for half a year at the beginning

The road trip is still going on. The Rockets are flying to Miami to challenge the Miami Heat, the fourth opponent of the six-game road trip in the East.

After the reinforcements this season, the Heat can be said to be the absolute overlord of the East.

After losing to the Rockets in the first game, the Heat finally ushered in the second game of the two teams this season. The Rockets are just in their weak period, and the Heat has the opportunity to avenge their previous shame.

Before the game, the "Little Emperor" James said in an interview: "If we can't win against the current Rockets, then we might as well tear it down and rebuild it!"

If we can't even beat the Rockets with a remnant lineup, and wait until the undefeated Rockets after Curry and Harden return, then the Heat will be even more unable to win.

The games between the Rockets and the Heat have been full of highlights in the past two seasons. James immediately turned on his "full-strength James" mode after the game started.

Facing Anthony's defense, he repeatedly forced the opponent to score.

"Flash" Wade also forced to break through Ray Allen and successfully attacked the basket many times, and the Rockets immediately fell into a disadvantage at the beginning.

Tang Yu looked at the bench and shouted, "Kawhi, you replace Ray!"

Replacing Ray Allen with Leonard strengthened the Rockets' defensive strength, so that the three small forwards, Kawhi, Melo and Durant, could form a corner with each other and switch defenses endlessly.

Ibaka could be completely assured of guarding the inside.

Sure enough, after Kawhi came on the court, he could not only switch defenses with Durant and Melo, but he also took the initiative to take on the responsibility of defending James.

This freed Anthony and allowed him to invest more on the offensive end.

The Rockets gradually recovered from the disadvantage, and at the end of the first quarter, Anthony also made a buzzer-beater to help the Rockets take the lead.

However, the situation on the field suddenly changed in the second quarter. The Heat changed their defensive strategy and began to double-team the Rockets' ball holders, which made it difficult for the Rockets to pass the ball.

At the same time, the Heat's outside shooters also found their touch. Novak and Mike Miller hit three-pointers in succession to overtake the score.

Seeing this, Rockets coach Tang Yu hurriedly called a timeout.

During the timeout, he emphasized the team's ball conduction and running, and encouraged the players to maintain confidence.

After returning to the court, the Rockets strengthened their defense on the perimeter and limited the Heat's three-point shots. However, Bosh, the Heat's inside player, took the opportunity to score continuously in the interior, and the Rockets' defense was flawed again.

56-54, at the end of the half, the Heat led by a slight advantage.

Tang Yu now feels a bit like teaching his apprentice to starve his master to death. The league's strong teams have begun to build their own outside shooters.

But now the Rockets only have Ray Allen as a real shooter.

And Ray Allen's age is also a problem. In recent market games, the veteran is like a donkey in the production team, playing 34.6 minutes per game, and the old man is exhausted.

Anthony's current situation is that his playing time is limited and he cannot play back-to-back. It is expected that this situation will continue for about half a month.

Melon can be said to be very dedicated when he came to the Rockets. He is not picky and hardworking.

Although he never came late or left early, there was one thing that Anthony couldn't let go of, that is, he was not present every time there was a conflict in the Rockets, which made Anthony feel very embarrassed and couldn't show himself at all!

So in the Rockets, Anthony has always been Anthony, unable to transform into Anthony.

The halftime break passed quickly, and 15 minutes could be said to have passed in a flash.

At the beginning of the second half, the two sides changed sides and fought again.

The Rockets players obviously had not recovered from the loss in the first half, and their offense was disorganized.

On the other hand, the Heat continued the good state of the first half, and the cooperation between the players became more and more tacit.

At this time, Tang Yu made a bold decision. He replaced Ray Allen again and sent Leonard.

After Leonard came on the court, he immediately showed his vitality and shooting ability, hitting two consecutive three-pointers to help the Rockets narrow the gap.

However, the Heat quickly made adjustments, using Caron Butler to defend Kawhi Leonard and strengthening the defense against Leonard, making it difficult for him to get an easy shot.

The Rockets' offense was in trouble again, and the score was gradually pulled apart.

Due to Anthony's playing time limit, the Rockets' rotation was very chaotic.

At this time, Tang Yu called a timeout and decided to readjust the tactics.

He knew the current problems of the Rockets and had to find a way to break the opponent's defense.

"Guys, we can't go on like this. Carmelo's time is limited, and we need more firepower. I hope everyone can run actively to create space for KD. At the same time, we must strengthen the inside attack to loosen the opponent's defense." Tang Yu said.

The players nodded one after another, indicating that they understood.

After returning to the court, the Rockets' offense has improved significantly.

They pay more attention to passing and running, trying to tear open the Heat's defense.

Durant lived up to expectations. Under the cover of his teammates, he frequently hit key shots and gradually regained his touch.

By the end of the third quarter, the Rockets still stabilized the situation on the court, trailing the home team Heat by only 3 points at 90-93, keeping the suspense.

At the beginning of the last quarter, both sides tried their best.

The Heat relied on the individual performance of the Big Four to continuously attack the Rockets' basket;

The Rockets relied on Durant's personal ability to score repeatedly.

At the critical moment, Durant broke through with the ball, attracted double-teaming, and passed the ball to Ray Allen at the bottom line.

Gentleman Sword jumped up without hesitation, and the basketball drew a beautiful arc in the air and went into the net!

This goal boosted the morale of the Rockets, and they pursued the victory and played a small climax of 10-4.

However, the Heat did not give up. They returned a climax of 11-3 to the Rockets, and the game entered a white-hot stage.

At the last moment of the game, with 21.3 seconds left, the Heat led by two points, and the Heat had the last offensive opportunity.

The ball was passed to Wade, and the Rockets immediately fouled.

The Flash withstood the pressure and made two free throws, and Tang Yu called a timeout.

"Guys, we still need a three-point tactic. KD, you just shoot, no pressure, and others go to grab offensive rebounds."

Tang Yu put Yao Ming, Ibaka, and Anthony, three rebounders, on the court at the same time, and let Durant execute this fateful shot.

Anthony threw the ball to Durant from the frontcourt sideline. Durant took a step across the defense of James and shot a three-pointer directly in the face.

James had done his best to interfere with Durant's shot.

But when the Grim Reaper swung his scythe, even the little emperor could not escape, and the basketball fell into the basket obediently.

119-120, the Rockets were still one point behind.

The Rockets immediately pressed the defense throughout the court, and the Heat called a timeout when they saw that they couldn't serve the ball.

Tang Yu held the tactical board and said to the players: "OK guys, we have done well so far, and the next thing to do is to defend. First, try your best to double-team the ball holder. If you can't make him make a mistake, then immediately commit a foul! Go guys!"

Caron Butler served the ball at the midline, Wade and James ran to two different halves, and Xiaoka chased Wade to the backcourt. Butler finally handed it to Wade.

Xiaoka fouled directly when he couldn't form a double team.

11.4 seconds, Wade went to the free throw line again.

He made two free throws, 122-119, but this time the Rockets were only three points behind.

Tang Yu called the last short timeout!

The Rockets need a miracle!