Capítulo 1336: Chapter 536: Two Unstoppable Teams

On the Warriors’ side, Curry and Durant, the two key ball-handlers on the perimeter, take turns resting. Thompson has been playing extended minutes in the playoffs, and Kerr uses him most effectively.

Green and Josh Smith alternate on the floor. The Warriors signed this once top-notch versatile forward on a minimum salary for a year. He’s performed fairly well this season, averaging 18 minutes per game in the playoffs with 6.2 points, 3.6 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 0.9 steals, and 1.1 blocks.

The substitutes Livingston and McCaw have also been performing well.

Especially Livingston, in the half-court offense, you give him the ball and let him go one-on-one, Harden can’t defend against his turnaround jumper.

The game reaches 11 minutes and 32 seconds into the first quarter, with the score at 34-33. The Lakers lead by 1 point, and the Warriors are on offense.

Currently, the line-up for both sides is: Lakers: Harden, Louis Williams, Zhang Yang, West, Zubac; Warriors: Curry, Thompson, McCaw, Josh Smith, McKie.

Curry pushes to the frontcourt, with less than 20 seconds left, he chooses to run down the clock.

In the first quarter, he played for more than 7 minutes, rested for 4 minutes before and after the official timeout, shot 3 out of 4, including 1 out of 1 from three-point range, plus 1 out of 1 free throws, scoring 8 points and 2 assists, with an unbelievably high efficiency!

Curry runs down the clock until there are only 6 seconds left on the shot clock, and 10 seconds on the game clock before he takes action. McKie follows the instructions received during the inbound and goes up to block Harden. Curry uses the screen to directly pull up for a three-pointer over Zubac… it’s off!

The Lakers’ defensive strategy works! Tonight Harden’s defense against Curry allowed for penetration when he held the ball and cut-ins off-ball but denied him three-point chances in the half-court set. Curry only attempted one trailing three-pointer after playing for over 3 minutes, with no other three-point attempts. The force on the shot was evidently too much!

Zhang Yang charges into the paint, grabs the rebound ahead of Josh Smith, pivots to avoid Josh Smith’s swipe, and pushes forward for a fast break!

Thompson and McCaw chase hard but can’t catch up. Zhang Yang’s speed in the forward-guard line is among the best. McKie pulls out to screen, Josh Smith lacks good defense habits, doesn’t show first in the center’s position, and Zhang Yang storms past them, neither keeps up.

After crossing the half-court, only Curry retreats beyond the three-point line.

Curry sees Zhang Yang slow down after crossing mid-circle, realizes what the opponent intends, retreats behind the three-point line, and rushes up if he can delay successfully. The opponent might run out of shooting time!

But Zhang Yang flashes past him with a behind-the-back dribble!

Both are masters of ‘the behind-the-back dribble.’ Curry notices Zhang Yang’s shoulder shift and knows what the opponent plans to do, but can’t stop it. The opponent’s control of rhythm is no worse than his, with better physical fitness.

As he turns around, he sees Zhang Yang grab the ball after a behind-the-back dribble, take a step to the right arc top, and jump, the whole motion is smooth as water.

He has no hope. Indeed, Zhang Yang’s shot enters the basket as if it’s GPS-guided, straight to the heart of the net!

With Curry’s three from mid-circle missing, and the first quarter ending, the score is 37-33. The Lakers lead by 4 points!

Zhang Yang looks up at the big screen data – unbelievably ridiculous!

Both teams are trying their utmost to retreat and pressure the pace, avoiding getting caught on the counter or opened up in shooting.

Through excellent team cooperation, both sides strive to avoid turnovers, with only 3 turnovers combined over the whole quarter.

But the shooting accuracy…

The Warriors are 14 for 21, including 4 of 9 from three-point range, plus 5 of 6 free throws — a team shooting percentage of 66.7+44.4+83.3!

A total of 9 players took the field, except Green, who had 3 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 block without scoring. The other 8 players all scored.

Curry leads the team with 8 points, going 3 for 5, including 1 for 2 from three-point range plus 1 of 1 free throws. He is followed by Thompson and Durant with 6 points.

However, their side’s shooting accuracy is even more extraordinary, 14 for 20, including 3 of 6 from three-point range, plus 6 of 8 free throws — a team shooting percentage of 70+50+75!

In the first quarter, they played 11 players in total, with 10 having scored, only Boyan, whom the media had high hopes for before the game, didn’t score.

It’s not that he shot poorly, but the Warriors defended him very tightly. Kerr had Thompson guarding him, keeping him locked down from the start, to prevent him from getting into rhythm. He had a second-round 45+ shooting percentage, averaging 2.5 threes made.

This allowed the Lakers to maintain sufficient pressure when Zhang Yang went to rest. Harden and DeRozan continued to enjoy an excellent environment for organized offense.

The Lakers’ highest scorer naturally is Zhang San, who hit two three-pointers, had an opening dunk, and returned after resting to attack the basket, drawing a foul from McKie. He made 1 of 2 free throws, finished the quarter with a game-high 9 points from 4 shots, hitting on 3.

The shootout left Zhang Yang feeling zero control over the outcome of tonight’s game, just very…

…

“Are you saying you feel it’s exhilarating?”

During the break between quarters, DeRozan hears Zhang Yang describe his feelings about the first quarter and feels uncomfortable.

The first quarter was so intense and thrilling, yet this guy found it exhilarating?

He looks at Harden, who also nods repeatedly.

DeRozan: Teaming up with you is the most thrilling decision of my life!

Although… it really was quite exhilarating to watch.

Honestly, learning about Zhang Yang and Harden’s feelings towards the game means DeRozan is less stressed out.

After the players take a breather, Budenholzer calls those starting the second quarter together to make detailed adjustments.