Chapter 1 After the Interview

After the interview, Tang Tian turned to Stevens to discuss the tactics for the upcoming game.

The Rockets were good at three-pointers, and the Pelicans' defensive strategy in the past two games had been a 3-2 zone, with the overall defensive focus leaning outwards.

This approach had been successful, with the Rockets shooting only around 33% from three-point range in both games, significantly lower than their regular season average.

However, Harden wasn't just a three-point shooter; his ability to penetrate and draw fouls was very strong, and how the Pelicans would collapse after expanding outwards was a problem.

In terms of direct data, the Rockets had averaged 47.8 points in the paint in the past two games.

Stevens hadn't solved this problem well, which was an important reason why the scores between the two teams had been so close.

"The 3-2 zone defense strategy is correct, but I think we can appropriately leave Westbrook's area open and let the defenders retreat in advance."

Tang Tian gave Stevens his suggestion.

Westbrook's biggest weakness was his unstable shooting, especially from three-point range, on the same level as early Rondo and Wade.

"And the people who retreat in advance can also double-team earlier if Harden drives with the ball."

After Tang Tian finished speaking, Stevens' brows relaxed.

"I think you'd be better than me as a coach."

Stevens exclaimed.

This wasn't just because of the current suggestion, but a feeling that had built up over years of contact.

"You're already excellent. I think you're even better than Popovich."

Tang Tian gave some mutually flattering words.

In fact, Popovich's on-the-spot adjustments were indeed not as good as Stevens', especially after being outmaneuvered by Li Chunjiang in the World Cup.

Stevens smiled and shook his head. Tang Tian was still as approachable as before even after becoming the owner.

Stevens made adjustments to the defense, and the Pelicans also seized the time to practice.

Because it was just a minor adjustment, the players adapted quickly.

It was also at this time that Tang Tian's words in front of reporters were exposed by the media, igniting another wave of heated discussions among fans on social media.

"Haha, what a jinx, I think my Rockets are guaranteed a spot in the semifinals!"

"Does Tang's words mean they would have won five consecutive championships even without him? Doesn't that mean he himself isn't important? ┗(▔, ▔)┛"

"Tang is biting off more than he can chew, just wait and see, my Rockets will teach you a lesson and shatter your dreams of five consecutive championships in advance!"

"Playing at home plus this jinx, I won't say the Rockets will win the championship, but these two home wins are guaranteed, optimistic prediction my Rockets advance 4-1."

"Tang is really not good as an owner, he can't even see the situation, the two teams were evenly matched in the first two games, and now that they're back at my Rockets' home court, he's still acting so cocky!"

……

The Rockets fans on social media ushered in a frenzy of celebration.

In their opinion, Tang Tian's words were completely a jinx, a flag planted to indirectly boost the Rockets.

The next night, the third game of the Pelicans and Rockets series was staged at the Toyota Center in Houston.

The venue was packed, and there were many Chinese fans.

As in the past, they were all there to support the Pelicans.

When Yao Ming had just retired, the Rockets were the main team of Chinese fans, but after Tang Tian made a name for himself, the Pelicans were their only main team.

This was also a constant pain for Harden and the Rockets players.

Houston had a huge Chinese market, but unfortunately, they were all turning their elbows outwards.

Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta appeared in the VIP box.

Tang Tian also brought Olsen and his two sons, Tang Si and Yong Qi, to the stands.

Their appearance attracted a lot of attention from the cameras before the game.

This game was a watershed in the series, and both sides attached great importance to it.

The venue quickly entered the opening ceremony, and the starting lineups of the two teams were released one after another.

Neither team had made any adjustments to their lineups.

For the Rockets, the outside players were Westbrook and Harden, the forwards were House and Tucker, and the center was Capela.

House had been shooting poorly from beyond the three-point line in the past two games, but his three-point shooting percentage in the regular season was as high as 43%, the highest on the Rockets.

For the Pelicans, the outside players were Brogdon and Holiday, the forwards were Durant and Davis, and the center was Gasol.

The game started quickly.

Gasol won the tip-off for the Pelicans, and Durant came up and broke through House, hitting a jump shot.

Back on defense, the Pelicans continued to play a 3-2 zone, but Westbrook was completely open on the perimeter.

He took a three-pointer, but the ball hit the front of the rim and bounced out, and Gasol grabbed the defensive rebound.

The Pelicans turned to launch a fast break, and Gasol made a long pass from the backcourt to assist Brogdon in scoring a layup, also drawing a foul on Westbrook.

Brogdon made the free throw as well.

The Pelicans took the lead as visitors, taking a 5-0 lead to start the game.

There was a burst of excitement from the sidelines.

Although the Rockets fans were optimistic on the hotline, it seemed that the Pelicans were not only unaffected, but also in high spirits.

This was unreasonable.

On the Rockets' offense, Westbrook continued to be left open.

He continued to choose to shoot.

Kobe once said in an interview before he retired that Westbrook was the most like him in the league.

Westbrook's Mamba mentality was still quite strong.

This ball was a bit heavy and hit the back of the rim, but luckily it bounced up and then fell into the basket.

His three-pointer went in!

There was a burst of cheers from the crowd.

D'Antoni also punched the air excitedly.

As the head coach, he had already understood the Pelicans' defensive strategy after a few possessions.

Judging from the start, this defensive strategy was very successful.

At this time, whether Westbrook could make the three-pointer became very crucial.

Now that he had made his second attempt, the Pelicans would definitely not dare to defend like this again.

However, before the cheers of the crowd had subsided, Durant caught the ball in the frontcourt and quickly turned around and made another jump shot.

He had made both of his first two shots after the start!

Tang Tian couldn't help but laugh at this time.

Throughout this season, Durant's maturity was visible to the naked eye.

The Rockets attacked to the frontcourt again, and to everyone's surprise, including D'Antoni, the Pelicans were still leaving Westbrook open!

Stevens was a bit stubborn!

Westbrook was even more stubborn than him, taking his third consecutive three-point attempt at the start.

"Clang!"

The basketball hit the rim and bounced out!

Westbrook's three-pointer was unstable, and his two attempts after the start were either short or long.

The second ball went in with a lot of luck, which was also Stevens' judgment.

Now it seemed that he had bet right!

Davis protected the defensive rebound, and the Rockets' offense was once again fruitless!

In the Pelicans' frontcourt, Durant was doubled-teamed again, and he turned around and leaned back in advance, but unfortunately the ball didn't go in.

His strength was still different from Tang Tian's. If it was Tang Tian, he would have already swallowed the Rockets whole if he felt his touch was good at the start.

However, Davis leaped high and slammed the ball into the basket over Tucker.

The baseline referee blew his whistle, indicating Tucker's defensive foul.

This was still a 2+1!

The scene was restless.

The score on the field was now 9-3, and the Pelicans had swept away the stalemate of the past two games and gained a lead at the start.

And this was still playing away!

Tucker's argument with the referee did not change the call, and there was a chorus of boos from the crowd.

Davis adjusted his breathing and took the free throw under a barrage of boos.

"Swish!"

The basketball went into the basket steadily, and Davis' free throw was good!

New Orleans, the road dragon, confirmed!

ps: Special thanks to John for the ten thousand reward! Congratulations on becoming the grandmaster of this book! !