The Way of the Center

If it was placed in the past, then Van Gundy would definitely remind himself players not to take it lightly during the intermission. But now, he doesn't worry about that. This group of lads are able to fight like this today, precisely because they have a correct attitude.

Looking at the calm and serious expressions of the players, Van Gundy knew that there should be no major problems in the second half. Although the gap of 13 points is not particularly large, it does not mean that they can be chased if they can be chased. Unless Kobe or someone else on the Lakers explodes, it will be very difficult for the Thunder to fill the gap in their current state.

Yes, Van Gundy had an unless in his mind. In other words, he admitted that the Lakers still have a way to regain the situation. It's just that the probability of this happening is not high.

The fans at the Staples Center were still lifeless in the second half. After halftime, they couldn't see any hope. After so many years of O'Neal's absence, this is their brightest period. But if you want to lose the championship like this, Los Angeles fans will still feel unwilling.

The fans couldn't accept this result, and the paranoid Kobe would not let that happen! In the first half, he was guarded by Sefolosa and lost his temper, which even he himself could not forgive. Kobe had long held his breath and was ready to vent it all in the second half!

Don't forget, Kobe is no ordinary guy. It is not an exaggeration to say that he is the most successful NBA player after Jordan. The most successful here refers not only to his skills, but also to his commercial value, his super appeal, and his extremely strong heart!

Since the Lakers won the first attack today, after the start of the third quarter, it was still the Thunder who took possession of the ball for the first time.

The third line broke out, which is why the Thunder were able to beat the Lakers today. This time, Westbrook's ball-handling posture is obviously a lot more confident. He knows that even if he doesn't have a chance, his teammates will help him find one.

The person who was about to stand in front of Westbrook was Fischer, but Kobe waved his hand, indicating that he and Fischer would switch places!

Although Sefoloza is indeed good defensively, his offense is much worse. Relying on Fisher, it should be enough to defend the second position of the Thunder.

But Westbrook can only rely on Kobe to defend!

Westbrook didn't dare to slack off either. He lowered his center of gravity and constantly changed the ball handler. At the same time, Anjie's pick-and-roll came up, and Durant also started running under Morris' off-the-ball pick-and-roll.

Westbrook took a step back, which has become a habit for him to break through.

"Swoosh!" Westbrook's breakthrough was still as fast as lightning,

But in the eyes of the strong-willed Kobe, the ball is not impossible to defend.

Westbrook had just started, and before he could get around Ainger's pick-and-roll, he found himself losing control of the basketball.

"What!?" Westbrook turned around in disbelief, only to find that the ball had been taken away by Kobe! Because Westbrook's breakthrough speed is too fast, it is impossible for Kobe to cut the basketball accurately. So the ball was not only out of Westbrook's control, but also out of Kobe's control.

The basketball quickly rolled towards the other half, and the offensive and defensive transition was formed immediately. All ten people on the court ran towards the direction of the ball, and Kobe and Westbrook naturally rushed to the front.

Both know that going down to the ground is pretty much the only way to control possession in this situation. Bryant and Westbrook rushed toward the ball at the same time, like two lions who have found their prey.

Kobe hugged the basketball one second ahead of Westbrook, and Westbrook was naturally not reconciled, and tightly hugged the basketball that Kobe had hidden in his arms. Afterwards, other people from the two teams also surrounded Kobe, surrounded by a large group of people, some were protecting him, and some were fighting for the ball with him. But Kobe has been hugging the basketball tightly and never let go!

"Beep beep beep!" The referee's whistle finally sounded. It was not a foul, but a scrimmage!

Kobe stood up holding the ball and said nothing. He will not waste his words with the referee now, but stares at Westbrook, staring at Westbrook all over his body.

The two groups of people immediately stood at the free throw line, and Kobe and Westbrook stood in the middle. Just Kobe Bryant fell to the ground to save the ball, he has won the applause of the entire Staples. Now, the cheers continued to intensify.

Westbrook doesn't have the slightest jump ball experience, but Bryant is different. Although he is also a defender, his experience is still more than one grade higher than Westbrook.

Seeing that the referee was about to throw the ball, Kobe jumped up. Strictly speaking, this is an illegal jump ball, but with the naked eye, it is impossible to see that Kobe took off so a few tenths of a second earlier. But this mere tenths of a second can help Kobe, who is not dominant in jumping ability, win the ball.

The ball fell into Odom's hands, and Odom immediately shifted, allowing Fisher, who was open, to get the basketball.

Although there are no Lakers players under the basket at the moment, "Old Fish" can't let this opportunity pass by. He raised his hand to shoot, even if the Lakers didn't have the opportunity to compete for the offensive rebound, he could make it.

But it turns out that Fisher was a little overwhelmed, and he made an empty three-pointer from the bottom corner. Although it was Fisher who scored the goal, the Lakers would not even have a chance without Kobe's desperate defense and save.

Staples fans seem to see hope, yes, Kobe Bryant is their hope!

"Defense! Defense! Defense!" The goal just now rekindled the enthusiasm of the Staples Center fans. In the next defensive round, they kept shouting in conjunction with the drumbeat of the live DJ defense.

Under the enthusiastic shouting of the fans, the Lakers players themselves are also full of strength and confidence. How many men would remain indifferent under such shouts.

Bynum's performance in the first half was not bad, but now, he burst out with greater strength. Under Bynum's close defense, An Jie felt very difficult to run tactics.

Under Bynum's entanglement, Anjie's pick-and-roll was still unable to achieve a satisfactory state. Westbrook can't waste time either. Staying in front of Kobe for one more second means one more point of danger.

Before Anjie's pick-and-roll was fully in place, Westbrook started impatiently. In this way, it is naturally impossible to completely get rid of Kobe's defense.

Seeing a slight gap inside, Westbrook began to accelerate and take off!

Seeing the basket getting closer and closer to him, Westbrook smiled in the air. His tense body is completely relaxed. If this dunk is completed, it must be very powerful!

"Bang!" The basket made a loud noise as expected, but the basketball was unexpectedly not dunked into the basket. Kobe has been clinging to Westbrook's back, blocking the dunk of the No. 0 guard!

Bryant pointed at Westbrook and put his index finger to his lips. This guy's ferocious expression greatly increased his deterrent power!

Gasol immediately hugged Kobe from behind. The Spaniard was so excited that he couldn't think of other ways to celebrate his defensive success except to hug Kobe hard.

Kobe's role is not just to complete a block. The first time the Thunder lost to the Lakers, it was because Kobe hit a buzzer to tie the score, thus dragging the game into overtime and also the morale of the Thunder. The whole crush!

This block is exactly the same as that buzzer shot! Not only did it prevent the Thunder from scoring, but it also greatly reduced the Thunder's spirit.

The psychological advantage established by the Thunder in the first half disappeared under Kobe's two successful defenses.

Anjie then sent the baseline ball, but Westbrook, whose confidence was hit, failed to hit the ball. Because of Kobe's presence, the Lakers once again withstood the Thunder's fanatical attack!

Afterwards, Bryant himself scored a three-pointer over Sefoloza. As soon as the goal was scored, it not only narrowed the point difference between the two teams to single digits, but also forced Van Gundy to call a timeout.

Now that Kobe and the Lakers are on the rise, he has to interrupt that momentum. It can be seen that Westbrook's psychology has been greatly affected. Van Gundy intends to temporarily replace him with Livingston, and everything else remains the same.

However, a short pause did not interrupt Kobe's explosive momentum.

Although the gap of 13 points is not particularly large, it does not mean that they can be chased if they can be chased. Unless Kobe or someone else on the Lakers blows up. Van Gundy still remembers his thoughts in the locker room just now, but unexpectedly, this exception has become a reality!

Kobe's performance was still eye-catching after returning from the timeout. His offense was almost unstoppable. The only way to stop him from scoring was fouling!

There was no problem with the Thunder's offense, but compared with Kobe's unusually fierce firepower, the point difference between the Thunder and the Lakers was gradually shrinking!

Anjie was already panting from Kobe's breakthrough, but the 32-year-old Kobe did not slow down in the slightest. It is becoming more and more difficult for Anjie to participate in the defense against Kobe.

After Kobe broke into the paint, he didn't go head-to-head with Anjie. He stopped for jump shots, drop shots, and broke through the ball. As long as he had an easy chance to score, Kobe would never use a more difficult method.

Without Westbrook's Thunder, the defensive pressure on the offensive end will naturally be much greater. Westbrook can force the Lakers to shrink, but Livingston can't.

If the third line breaks out, you have to let all the points of the third line be present!

Until the end of the third quarter, Kobe still failed to help the Lakers equalize the score, but the point difference was chased to only 4 points!

If it weren't for the Thunder team's still brave state, the Lakers would have come back a long time ago!

Van Gundy's worries were fulfilled, but he was not happy at all. Kobe Bryant, the man was cornered. At this time, he is the most dangerous!

The game that had lost its suspense had become exciting again, but everyone in the Thunder wished that the game had always been so boring. God knows what else Kobe can do in the fourth quarter. Meeting the defending champion is not scary, but meeting Kobe is really fucking terrible!

An Jie was sweating profusely, and his hairband was soaked again. Sure enough, there are no easy games to play in the playoffs!