Chapter 791 Two 3 to 1

After winning the third game, the Pelicans already led 3-0.

They hope to sweep the Rockets out after sweeping the Mavericks.

Game 4 is two days later, and the Pelicans are also preparing intensely for the game.

During game day training, Stevens was interviewed by reporters.

Sweep is a topic that comes up a lot.

"That will be a difficult thing to do. They definitely don't want to end the season like this. They will play harder and harder than they did in the first three games. We must be ready to fight a tough battle."

Stevens doesn't have much experience coaching in the playoffs, but he already experienced it when they played the Mavericks in the first round.

The Rockets are stronger than the Mavericks, and the game will be more difficult to play.

That night, Game 4 of the series between the Pelicans and Rockets officially kicked off at the Houston Arena.

Although there is no hope of a comeback after falling behind 0-3, there are many ways to lose, and a sweep is definitely the last one they want to accept.

This is illustrated by the serious expressions of the Rockets players during training before the game and their state after the game started.

Although there were two major defeats in the previous three games, the losses were all due to tactics and strategies. The Rockets players' fighting spirit was not dampened.

Especially in the last game, they were leading at halftime, which greatly helped their confidence.

The situation became tense after the two teams started playing.

The Rockets coaching staff is also making further adjustments to their offensive tactics.

They followed the Pelicans' last game, with two shooters in the bottom corner, stretching the offensive space, and then allowing Harden to break through.

Cousins' defensive ability is not strong, and Jokic is actually like that.

This move worked. Morris continued the feeling of the previous game and hit a three-pointer at the beginning, forcing the Pelicans not to shrink at will.

Harden kept attacking Jokic until Stevens replaced Biyombo.

And on the defensive end, they selectively released Ariza and Holiday to try to protect the basket.

Relying on enthusiasm and hard work, their defense is also good.

Of course, the most important thing is that Paul, who had not performed well before, ushered in an explosion.

He made 3 of 3 shots from beyond the three-point line in the first half, with no miss!

Where is Paul, it is clearly Curry!

And his outside shooting skills are still there in the second half.

After the whole game, he made 6 of 10 three-pointers and scored 30 points and 6 assists.

Harden and Cousins ​​also performed well, contributing 18 points, 11 assists, 7 rebounds and 21 points and 14 rebounds respectively.

The Big Three broke out collectively for the first time in the series.

This performance also allowed them to defeat the Pelicans 110-101 and win their first victory in the series.

Stevens' words before the game hit the spot.

After the game, Rockets fans rejoiced on social media, celebrating that their team was not swept.

D'Antoni once again showed confidence to the fans at the post-game press conference.

"This is not a battle for James alone. DeMarcus stepped up in the last game and we almost won the game. This time Chris stepped up and we won.

I believe they will still do that in the following games. If we can win one game, we can win the second game. Playing one game at a time, I am still confident that the team will win the series. "

The Rockets defended their home court to avoid a sweep, rewriting the series lead to 1-3.

However, the fans' attention was completely attracted by another game the next day.

In the just-concluded fourth game between the Thunder and the Warriors, the Thunder defeated the Warriors again at home 108-106, changing the score to 3-1!

In the Western Conference semifinals, there were two 3-1s!

It's just that the two 3 to 1 situations are completely different.

The Rockets barely avoided a sweep, while the Thunder were one step away from knocking out the defending champion!

This has caused constant discussion among fans, and the latest episode of TNT's program has attracted a surge of attention.

The Big Three are frantically analyzing the format of the next game on the show.

"I think the Rockets have found their way to win. If Cousins ​​hadn't been sent off in the third game, the series would be 2-2 now, so they still have a chance to win the series."

Buckley opened his mouth to analyze.

"Yes, the first round of this match was all about tactical competition. The Rockets were completely defeated. But as the game progressed, both sides understood each other's tactics. Then it was a question of performance. I think the Rockets were 1-1. 3 behind, but still have a chance.”

Kenny Smith also said with his professional analysis.

"You mean, they're going to be the first team in NBA history to come back from a 3-0 deficit?"

O'Neill looked disturbed.

Smith nodded.

"why not?"

Buckley asked rhetorically.

O'Neill reached out and pointed at the two people who were singing together, and couldn't help laughing and shaking his head.

Speaking of which, these two people were predicted to be completely defeated by him in the first round. This was because they were unwilling to give up and were once again standing on a united front.

"Speaking of which, we should be concerned about the defending champions now. They are going home to fish soon."

Buckley continued.

"The biggest problem for the Warriors now is that they have consumed too much in the regular season. In the past three games they lost, except for Curry and Thompson, no one else scored in double figures in almost every game. It is too difficult to win the game. .”

"This is why I have never been optimistic about them. The jump shooting team can win a championship based on luck, but it will never win a second time."

O'Neal and Barkley took turns to analyze, and they felt that the defending champion was out of luck.

"No, I think the Warriors still have a chance."

Smith offered a different perspective.

"The Thunder's style of play is very aggressive. They have been rushing and defending like crazy throughout the series, which will consume a lot of their energy. If they can win the next game, the series will be over. If they can't, the series will be over. , they will probably lose the series."

Smith's statement was novel but very convincing, and both Barkley and O'Neal nodded one after another.

"I actually hope the Warriors win, I just watch the Pelicans and Warriors play again."

O'Neill continued.

The Big Three have reached an agreement on the Warriors. It seems that the only one that can cause them to have huge differences is the Pelicans.

The Pelicans, who ended Game 4, returned to New Orleans the next day.

On the plane, Tang Tian and Stevens discussed team tactics again.

Paul can't hit 6 three-pointers in every game, but no one can guarantee that he won't be able to in the next game.

The Pelicans only succeeded in one game by focusing on Harden's defensive method, but the results in the past two games were actually not very good.

Although D'Antoni's reaction was a bit slow, he is a famous coach after all, and he did a good job of adjusting from game to game.

"Let's simplify the game and let James and I go head-to-head."

Tang Tian mentioned his idea to Stevens.