This is the final score between the two sides after the first game of the Western Conference Finals.
The Warriors won by 13 points, and the point difference was not particularly disparate, but viewers who watched the entire game knew that this was not a very difficult game.
From the beginning of the first quarter, the Warriors quickly established an advantage. In the following quarters, the Rockets never had the chance to narrow the point difference.
As a result, the Warriors won the first game without any blood and got off to a good start!
In this game, Curry scored a team-high 31 points, Thompson scored 17 points, Green had 13 points, 12 rebounds and 8 assists, Barnes had 14 points, and Ying Guodala had 10 points.
Wang Feng, as the starting small forward of the Warriors, scored only 6 points in this game and only took two shots in the entire game.
However, after the game, no matter who it is, even Curry, who mentions the victory in this game will give the greatest credit to Wang Feng.
"Wang Feng's defense against Harden in this game was really textbook level. I never thought that defense could use psychological warfare!"
"If Wang Feng hadn't successfully restricted Harden, this game would never have been won so easily!"
"Wang Feng has proven to everyone through this game that he is already the league's top perimeter defense expert!"
The core of the Rockets, James Harden, finally scored 29 points in this game, becoming the Rockets' highest scorer.
However, under Wang Feng's full defense, Harden took 33 shots and only made 9 shots, with a shooting percentage of only 27%! If he hadn't made enough free throws, he might not have even scored 29 points!
It is precisely because of Harden's extremely low efficiency that the Rockets' overall offensive rhythm is affected, and the Warriors can easily win!
Although no one understands it until now, how did Wang Feng do it? Especially in the first quarter of the game, guarding Harden with his hands behind his back the whole time, he could actually reduce Harden's shooting percentage so much?
The word "eye protection" has been coined for so long, and today is the first time that people have discovered that this word is actually a positive description!
Harden, on the other hand, took all the responsibility for the defeat of this game on himself. He had no choice but to take the blame. Anyone who is not blind can see what kind of performance he performed in the game.
But for his opponent Wang Feng, Harden's evaluation is very average.
"My performance in this game was indeed not very good. The main reason was myself. I had many open shooting opportunities without any defensive pressure, but I failed to seize the opportunity. The feel of this game was really bad.
Too bad, I will adjust my condition as soon as possible to cope with the next game..."
The meaning of Harden's words is also very obvious.
My poor performance in this game was due to my poor touch. What does it have to do with Wang Feng? He didn't guard me. It was just because I couldn't make the open shot.
This is Harden's last bit of stubbornness.
In any case, at least his excuse can be considered a kind of comfort to Harden fans.
That's right, Harden will never be guarded by an unknown person, it's just that he has a bad touch. A top star like Harden will definitely regain his form quickly and defeat doubts with strong performance!
…
Then, the time came to May 21, the second game of the Western Conference Finals.
Oracle Arena is still the home of the Warriors.
Cheers and screams filled the entire arena.
Total score 2:0!
The Warriors win again!
Compared with the previous one, the result of this game was even more cruel.
115:80!
The Rockets lost by a full 35 points in the away game! A complete and complete defeat!
As soon as the buzzer sounded at the end of the game, Harden threw the towel aside and walked into the tunnel without looking back.
It was obvious that he failed to fulfill his promise after the first game.
In this game, Harden played for 32 minutes and only scored 17 points! He made 3 of 16 shots! His shooting percentage was 18.8%! His performance was even worse than in the first game!
The only thing worthy of praise is that he made 10 of 11 free throws. This is why he was able to score 17 points even though he only made 3 goals.
In this game, the Warriors increased their defense against Harden, not only allowing Wang Feng to guard him throughout the game, but also allowing Green, Thompson and other equally good defensive players to be ready to help defend at any time, even if Wang Feng was passed or covered in a pick-and-roll.
If you lose position, you can make up for it as soon as possible.
Under the huge defensive pressure, Harden's movements were completely deformed, which was also the main reason for 3 of 16 shots!
With Harden being completely targeted, the Rockets completely lost their ability to resist and were allowed to be slaughtered by the Warriors.
After this game, Harden was reluctant to speak at the post-game press conference.
This is so embarrassing.
He shot 27% from the field in the previous game, and he promised to get back to his form in the next game.
Then in this game, the hit rate plummeted from 27% to 18.8%!
What could he say to the reporters who were waiting eagerly for him?
I will definitely get back to my form in the next game?
What if things go worse next game?
Rockets head coach McHale shook his head helplessly when being interviewed at the press conference.
"The Warriors are indeed a very strong team. They have a reasonable lineup and tactical system, excellent team leaders, and excellent role players. We have many things to learn from them."
"But it's too early to say this now. The Warriors have their advantages, but we also have our advantages. The game is not over yet. We will try our best to bring out the advantages of the players in our team in the next games.
Win the next game!"
McHale's words were very strong, but in fact, between the lines, he revealed a sense of powerlessness.
This Warriors team was so strong that he racked his brains and couldn't think of a way to defeat this team.
If Harden can maintain the same efficient performance as in the regular season, maybe he can think of a way. There is really no chance like now.
In the finals here in the Western Conference, the Warriors led the Rockets 2:0, and the situation was the same in the Eastern Conference.
Mike Budenholzer, who led the Hawks to the best record in the Eastern Conference and thus won the best coach, was hit on the head by James' Cavaliers.
Without Love, without Irving, and with James leading the team as a single core, the Hawks with a well-organized lineup were unable to resist at all, and the score also became 2:0.
Although there have only been two games in the Eastern and Western Conference finals, the vast majority of fans, including the sports media, have already felt that this year's NBA Finals will probably be a confrontation between the Golden State Warriors and the Cleveland Cavaliers!