The Basketball Court Swordsman

At the end of the first quarter, the score on the big screen became 26-20. The defending champion is still leading by 6 points, mainly due to Leonard and Ray Allen's excellent scoring performance in the rotation time.

The Rockets' bench depth is not as generous as the Pacers, and Henson can safely engage in 10- or even 11-person rotations. McHale is used to long-term 8-person rotation. It's not that the Rockets only have 8 players in each game, but those who play more than double digits usually only have 8 players. The Rockets players take turns to rest. There are two outside lines and one inside line on the bench, which is enough for McHale to rotate the lineup.

Therefore, the Rockets hardly have any rotation lineup, in any case, there are at least three starters on the court. The only time they can be called a rotation is the time when Harden rests.

The Pacers also took advantage of Harden’s absence and the Rockets’ offense was temporarily stagnant, from a 2 point behind to a 6 point lead.

But Henson is not triumphant, and the results of the first quarter can't explain any problems. He still hasn't stopped Harden, and if he hasn't stopped Harden, he can't guarantee that he can keep victory in his hands.

"Double-teaming, double-teaming must be decisive! No need to steal, as long as two people can seal his offensive line!" Henson was writing and drawing on the tactical board on the side of the court.

After previous research on the Rockets and observation of the first quarter of the game, Henson saw that McHale and Thibodeau have a very similar point, that is, they rely too much on the individual abilities of the stars on the offensive end. Throughout the first quarter, Henson didn't see McHale put out any impressive tactics.

Originally, McHale was a low post player when he was a player. When he coached, he also preferred to let the team focus on low post offense. But now, no Rockets player can meet his low post offense requirements. McHale is not good at allowing outside lines to attack.

The Rockets' offense suddenly fell into a quagmire just after Harden left the field is the best proof of this. Therefore, Henson decided to double-team boldly! As long as Harden is the strongest scoring point, the Rockets' offensive advantage will disappear!

As soon as Henson closed the cap of the marker pen, the electronic buzzer sounded for the start of the second quarter.

"Do you understand what I said?" Henson asked loudly before the players went on the court.

Everyone nodded vigorously and Henson waved his hands to let the players play! This is Henson’s first change to Harden, but I don’t know if it will work...

"The game restarted. In the first quarter, both sides played inextricably. But it is obvious that the Pacers' bench depth is really bottomless! They can win the Thunder without Paul, which is enough to show that Coach Henson How strong is the toughness of his lineup. But now, James Harden is back on the stage, and the depth of the bench alone cannot easily win the Christmas game."

In the second quarter, the first team was replaced by the Rockets. Jeremy Lin handed the ball to Harden, who came out just after halftime. It seems that the Rockets still want Harden to be the core of the offensive with the ball.

The Rockets stretched the lineup as far as possible, and Harden once again confronted George outside the three-point line. Since George was not daring to fight physically, Harden's breakthrough was still easy.

But this time, when Harden reached the free throw line, he suddenly saw a dark figure rushing out, completely blocking the breakthrough route!

In the chaos, Harden actually lost the ball! George straightened his long arms, controlled the basketball, and quickly pushed back!

"Nice double-team, the Pacers double-teamed! Danny Green's flanking was very decisive and did not give Harden time to react! George was unstoppable and dunked with one hand! A wonderful counterattack, the defending champion will be separated. After reaching 8 points, the Rockets are in danger!"

Inside the Banker's Life Arena, Pacers fans made "waves" in the stands. Henson also slammed his fist, and the arrangement worked!

There are still 2 points, and the difference will become double digits! You know, the Pacers' ability to control the field is very strong. Any team that wants to easily recover the double-digit difference on the Pacers.

After the error caused the opponent to score, Harden looked at the bench. No one noticed, McHale nodded slightly at Harden.

Can the Houston Rockets be killed so easily?

The Rockets made a comeback, still Harden, he almost got unlimited fire and ball possession in the Rockets. And this time, Paul's attack was also timely. The Pacers' tactical execution ability is very strong, Henson said that if you want to double-team, the players will not hesitate.

Although there was no hesitation in the double-teaming, Harden did not stop the ball or make a mistake this time. Instead, the ball was delivered to Jeremy Lin at the moment the double-teaming was completed.

Jeremy Lin's three-pointers shooting rate for the Rockets this season can only be said to be just passing, and he does not shoot easily. But in the face of such a big vacancy, the Chinese guard did not hesitate anymore and shot directly!

The reason why Henson dared to double-team was because the Rockets didn't have many three-pointers. Even if Harden scores successfully, he may not be able to complete assists.

But this time, Jeremy Lin voted a good start. Jeremy Lin made his first three-pointer in the game!

"Nice points, James Harden is definitely the kind of star who likes to share the ball. You know, he averaged close to 6 assists per game this season!"

Henson curled his lips, and the most feared double-teaming was the other player's 3-pointer. But making a goal does not explain any problems. So Henson did not change his strategy and still hoped that the players would double-team to defend Harden.

This time, the Pacers players learned to be smart. Green remained in front of Parsons from start to finish. After all, Parsons made 38% of his three-pointers this season.

And Paul is not easy to double-team, Jeremy Lin may feel hot now. So this time, when Harden broke through to the mid-range position, the double-teamed person became David West!

The Rockets’ three-point threats are locked, and the double-teaming should always work!

However, things backfired. Harden's thoughts were very clear. He sent the ball out of the gap between West and George and passed it to Marcus Morris who was ambushing in the corner.

"No..." Henson's apple slid up and down, a little disturbed.

Marcus Morris is an all-around forward, yes, but he prefers to use mid-range shots to solve problems rather than three-pointers. But the Rockets seemed to have been prepared. Seeing the Pacers double-teamed, they all retreated beyond the three-point line.

When West rushed towards Morris from Harden's side, the Kansas all-around forward had already finished his shot.

The arc of the basketball is just right, and Henson's heart is cold.

Sure enough, in the next second, the Nets were "blasted out" of a piece of "white waves", Morris raised his right arm high and compared three fingers!

After three-pointers, the Pacers' double-teaming, except for the first taste of the sweetness, has no way to implement it! When the Rockets made a three-pointer, their offensive was almost unstoppable.

"No way, Henson." Vogel couldn't sit still, and sooner or later he would be shot to death.

Henson nodded slightly, this time even he couldn't pretend to be calm. On the other side, "Refrigerator" McHale was already laughing from ear to ear.

The coach of the year last season, but that's it!

"Double-teaming is not possible, nor is it possible to defend alone..." Henson muttered to himself, and suddenly, he clapped his hands vigorously, which scared Vogel and Stephenson.

"Yes! I have found a way to strip them off!" Henson stood up excitedly and walked to the sidelines, preparing to stop the game...