Zhang Yang wasn’t surprised; it wasn’t until he saw the dia hyping up tonight’s ga this morning that he realized this was the fourth ti in five years that the Lakers and Thunder had t in the playoffs—first round in 2010, second round in 2012, first round last season, and now the Western Conference Finals.
Previously, Zhang Yang didn’t feel anything special, nor did he sense any particular sentint about the Thunder from his teammates, and the ho fans felt the sa.
But for Thunder fans, it was different. The Thunder only moved here in 2008 and changed their na. For them, this is a newly established team. To et the sa opponent for the fourth ti in six years is to completely regard the Lakers as their archenemy!
However, for Zhang Yang, the away fans shouting and cursing at him, far from making him timid or afraid, made him feel this is how an away ga should feel...
After the entrance ceremony, the players of both teams engaged in a warm pre-ga chat.
Thunder Team lineup:
Point Guard: Harden, Reggie Jackson, Fisher;
Shooting Guard: Sefolosha, Andre Roberson;
Small Forward: Durant, Lamb, Caron Butler.
Power Forward: Ibaka, Perry Jones.
Center: Perkins, Adams, Nick Collison, Tabit.
Among them, Fisher and Caron Butler have a good relationship with Kobe, especially the latter; Zhang Yang is close with Harden; Gasol shares long-ti interests with Nick Collison and Sefolosha; Durant has known Nash since college when Nash went to watch his gas...
This chat made Zhang Yang sense a "new era" coming—fans argue to the bitter end, while the players are amiable with each other.
This is the unstoppable trend in the NBA, and he didn’t have the desire to change it.
Moreover, this is limited to private interactions. On the court, true skill prevails, and no one holds back because of personal relationships. Even if you’re historically the top scorer, during a matchup, they’ll still try to crush you.
Pre-ga preparation ti quickly passed, and the starters for both teams took the court.
Lakers: Bazemore, Zhang Yang, Kobe, Jordan Hill, Gasol.
Thunder: Harden, Sefolosha, Durant, Ibaka, Perkins.
Zhang Yang glanced at the big screen: In the regular season, Harden averaged 25 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 8.6 assists, one of only three players this season to average 25 5 5, the other two being Westbrook and Jas; Durant averaged 28.2 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 4.1 assists, beating Zhang San to win the scoring title.
Two MVP-level players, truly quite a challenge, but he was more excited than pressured!
At 8:00 PM, the ga began, with Jordan Hill defeating Ibaka to win the jump ball, and the Lakers attacked first.
Kobe received the ball in the frontcourt, faced by Durant’s defense, and passed back to Zhang Yang who was positioned high, keeping Sefolosha at bay, but the pass was quite far behind!
Zhang Yang spun around, bypassed Sefolosha to receive the ball, and charged inside, drawing Ibaka’s defense and then passing... to the left side!
As Ibaka moved up for additional coverage, Jordan Hill cut to the basket, Perkins blocked the right side of the three-second zone boundary, Gasol received the ball from the left baseline for a close jump shot and made it!
The action switched, Harden advanced to the frontcourt, suppressed the urge to solo against Zhang Yang who stood before him, and passed the ball to the left side for Durant.
Durant, feeling secretly pleased, faced the basket, dribbled quickly while being guarded by Kobe, suddenly picked up the ball, rose for a long two-point shot... Kobe judged accurately, pressed closely to interfere.
He missed!
Ibaka dashed inside to contest the offensive rebound, but Gasol was quick-sighted and quick-handed, and without a stable chance to secure the rebound, he desperately tapped the ball to Zhang Yang.
Zhang Yang fought to catch the ball, turned directly upon landing, and pushed for a counterattack!
Bazemore and Jordan Hill flew down the wings while Kobe trailed closely behind, the Lakers’ counterattack formation was set up.
However, the Thunder’s 1-4 positions moved very quickly, and all four defenders were above average, retreating in an orderly manner, ready for defensive cooperation... then Zhang Yang, standing a large step beyond the arc, picked up the ball, stepped in, and jumped!
Durant, who had retreated to inside the three-point line first, quickly braked to rush back, and Harden, who was covering either Kobe or wing Jordan Hill behind Zhang Yang, also rushed up, but both were too far to affect Zhang Yang’s shot.
Zhang Yang wasn’t affected by their desperate attempts, and with perfect rhythm, took a trailing three-point shot... Made it!
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