The Oklahoma City Thunder controlled the opening possession!
Westbrook brought the ball across half-court, used Adams' high screen, and then stomped on the gas pedal, driving straight into the paint.
Jeff Green quickly came over to help on defense, but seeing Westbrook already in full stride, he gave up on contesting and watched as the latter threw down a powerful dunk!
2:0!
Westbrook scored first for his team!
"Russell's explosiveness is still too fierce!"
From the commentary booth, O'Neal remarked, "Seeing Westbrook already in full motion, Jeff Green's decision was absolutely correct!"
Possession changed, Clippers offense.
Beverley quickly brought the ball across half-court, then passed it to Carmelo, who was positioned at the top of the arc.
The moment Carmelo received the ball, he wasn't looking at the hoop, but rather searching for Kai, who was running out to receive the pass on the other side!
"Whoosh!"
Seeing Kai open, Carmelo decisively fired a bullet pass straight into his hands!
"Bang!"
With the ball in hand, Kai ignored Ferguson's long arms and suddenly shot from beyond the three-point line!
"Swish!"
The basketball arced beautifully through the air, then swished through the net!
3:2!
From the very beginning of the game, both teams' core players used their signature offensive moves to open up the scoring.
Thunder possession!
During this period, the Thunder's offense wasn't solely reliant on Westbrook.
Paul George also delivered the most brilliant performance of his career this season.
On this offensive possession, the Thunder decisively chose to let George isolate with the ball!
"Bang bang bang!"
Facing his teammate from last season, Carmelo, George showed no mercy.
He received the ball with his back to the basket in the elbow, then after a series of strong drives, executed a small spin move, easily shaking off the former's defense and driving into the restricted area!
"Boom!"
Upon reaching the restricted area, despite Lopez's contest, George leaped up and threw down a poster dunk!
"The OKC roster has many players with outstanding physical talent."
"Westbrook, George, Grant, Ferguson, and Diallo off the bench!"
"They all possess incredibly explosive athleticism and will occasionally deliver spectacular dunks for the fans!"
For those unfamiliar, the 2018-19 Thunder team was well known for having hops!
It was in that year that Diallo, who had the worst vertical leap on the team, won the Slam Dunk Contest...
"Swish!!"
On the other end, Kai also showed no mercy on offense.
Using Lopez's screen at the top of the arc, he shook off Ferguson's defense, then pulled up for a mid-range jumper, hitting it again!
5:4!
The Clippers once again took the lead!
On the Thunder's next offensive possession, Westbrook drove to attract the defense, then dished the ball to George in the left corner.
"Clank!"
The latter's three-point attempt clanked off the rim, but Westbrook grabbed the offensive rebound and once again passed the ball back to George!
After a slight adjustment, George calmly shot another three-pointer and finally made it!
On the other side, the Los Angeles Clippers once again successfully executed a tactical play, finding Kai with ease.
And he never disappoints his teammates!
His second three-point attempt of the game!!!
"Swish!"
It swished through the net again!!
8:7!
The Los Angeles Clippers, led by Kai, repeatedly took a 1-point lead!
On the Thunder's offensive possession, this time it was Westbrook's turn to score.
He used Adams' screen at the top of the arc to quickly shake off Beverley's defense and drive into the paint.
After a mid-air collision with Jeff Green, he made a bank shot off the glass!
"Westbrook and Paul George's powerful individual abilities are the reason they maintain their record!"
"In the league, very few teams can shut both of them down simultaneously!"
Just as the two commentators said.
This season, Westbrook still averaged a triple-double of 22.4 points, 11.1 rebounds, and 10.7 assists.
And Paul George had a career-high season, averaging 29.4 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 4.1 assists.
It was precisely because of their excellent performances that the Thunder achieved a very impressive record this season.
But... if you talk about leadership ability!?
Or scoring explosiveness!?
Kai Chen just wanted to say: Everyone here is trash!
On the Clippers' offensive possession, Kai directly refused Lopez's screen, running around to receive the pass.
"Bang!"
The moment Kai got the ball, he immediately made a face-up move, forcing Westbrook behind him back half a step!
"Come Boy!!"
Feeling Kai's aggressive play, Westbrook immediately started trash-talking: "Let me see how capable you really are!"
Kai didn't retort, but with a sudden burst of speed, he drove to the right, then quickly took a step back followed by a swift between-the-legs crossover, directly creating space between himself and Westbrook.
He palmed the ball, rose up, and shot a mid-range pull-up!
"Swish!"
The basketball cut through the air like a drawn blade, delivering a fatal blow!
"Russell, you need to step it up!"
After scoring, Kai patted his chest and said to George, "Let me see your strength too!"
Watching Kai's retreating back as he went back on defense, Westbrook's lips curled into a smile.
It's these kinds of defiant matchups that are truly interesting!
Possession changed, Westbrook brought the ball across half-court.
Facing Beverley's tight defense, he trash-talked while breaking through the defense and scoring a layup at the basket.
No need for many words!
On his way back on defense, Westbrook deliberately shook his head towards Kai Chen's direction.
At this moment, silence was more eloquent than words!
Los Angeles Clippers possession!
After Beverley brought the ball over, he tried to pass it to Kai.
But Westbrook directly positioned himself in front of Kai, constantly grabbing at him with both hands, cutting off his passing lane.
Kai, of course, was not to be trifled with; he decisively wrapped Westbrook behind him, firmly pinning him there, then raised his hand to call for the ball.
Beverley didn't hesitate at all, decisively passing the ball into Kai's hands.
"Bang!"
The moment the ball was in his hands, Kai didn't even give Westbrook a chance to speak, launching forward with a single stride.
Like lightning, he shook off Westbrook's defense in one step!
Besides "fast," Westbrook couldn't think of a second adjective to describe it at first.
Even he had to eat Kai Chen's dust.
After shaking off Westbrook, Kai drove straight to the basket, and before the Thunder's defense could converge, he leaped into the air!
A one-handed tomahawk dunk!
After scoring, he turned his head to look at Paul George, who was preparing to inbound the ball.
With a puzzled expression, Kai shrugged: "Westbrook, where exactly did he go!?
What?
Paul George looked completely bewildered!
Where did he go!?
Isn't he right behind you??
After a moment, the clever George finally understood.
Damn, this kid is showing off!
He meant that Westbrook's defense was nonexistent!
"Hahaha!"
George looked at Kai Chen with new respect.
People who dared to provoke Westbrook at this time weren't nonexistent, just rare.
A rookie who could both trash-talk with Westbrook and conquer his defense? This season, there was probably only one!
And that was Kai Chen!
==========
Thank you for the support.
100 power stones = Bonus Chapter
Check my P@treon for 25+ advanced chapters
[email protected]/JustTranslate