Chapter 752: Little Handsome Thinks He Has It Again
The Knicks next opponent was the Boston Celtics in the 2nd game of a road back to back.
In the eyes of the fans, this was another highly anticipated matchup.
Even before the game began, the Knicks players knew it would be difficult.
New York had crushed Boston at home in their previous meeting, and Kevin Durant had vowed to take revenge in this game.
TNT broadcast the matchup live across the United States.
"Let me tell everybody something," Barkley said with a chuckle. "Kevin Durant arrived at the arena 3 hours early and has been working on his 3 point shot. That man is taking this game personally."
Kenny Smith added, "For Durant, this is a revenge game. Boston lost to New York in the 1st round last season, then lost again in this season's opener."
The 2 commentators were not exaggerating.
As soon as the game began, Kevin Durant was completely focused.
On Boston's 1st possession, Durant used a screen to drive toward the free throw line.
After receiving a pass from Derrick Rose, Durant immediately pulled up and shot.
Swish.
The ball dropped cleanly through the net.
Barkley laughed.
"Looks like those 3 hours of shooting paid off. Durant is hot from the opening possession."
On the Knicks next possession, Chen Yan continuously changed direction at the top of the arc and prepared to make his move.
Boston immediately sent a double team.
Double teaming Chen Yan on the very 1st possession was not an original tactic created by the Celtics.
Many teams were now using this strategy to limit Chen Yan's touches and prevent him from finding his rhythm.
They would rather let someone else score than allow Chen Yan to get hot.
Beverley quickly moved to the wing and settled into an open spot.
A pass in that direction would give him a clean shot.
Chen Yan would not miss such an obvious opening.
After taking 1 step back, he flicked the ball toward Beverley with his right hand.
Durant rushed over from the corner.
Beverley did not handle the possession well.
He could have made another pass to Battier, who was completely open.
Instead, he chose to shoot.
Clang.
Missed.
Nelson did not say anything to Beverley.
The opportunity had been there. Beverley simply had not chosen the better option.
Durant immediately sprinted toward the frontcourt without the ball, while Derrick Rose pushed the pace after securing possession.
Boston's counterattack was extremely fast.
Chen Yan immediately retreated into the defensive half.
The Celtics had a 2 on 1 fast break.
If any other defender had been standing in front of him, Derrick Rose would have attacked the basket without hesitation.
But seeing Chen Yan waiting in his path made Rose much more cautious.
Rose drove toward Chen Yan and took 1 step.
The moment both players jumped, Rose dished the ball underneath the basket.
Durant easily finished the layup.
4 to 0.
Even Chen Yan could do nothing about that possession.
He could not guard 2 elite scorers at once.
After all, he was not Naruto Uzumaki and did not possess the Shadow Clone Jutsu.
Boston opened the game with fierce offensive firepower, immediately putting together a 9 to 0 run.
Durant scored 7 of those points by himself.
By the end of the 1st quarter, Durant had raised his total to 16 points, and Boston led 31 to 21.
Chen Yan's efficiency was average during the opening quarter.
He was not in good form tonight.
The rest of the Knicks were in a similar condition.
Playing a road back to back had left the team fatigued.
Chen Yan tried to force several attacks in the 2nd quarter, but most of them only resulted in fouls.
Boston's offense was much smoother.
Kevin Durant and Derrick Rose took turns controlling the attack.
Nelson adjusted his lineup and brought Al Harrington and Jeremy Lin into the game.
Jeremy Lin did not accomplish much tonight either.
Fatigue was 1 factor, but the difference in ability was another.
Derrick Rose was on a completely different level from the point guards Jeremy Lin had faced before, both in skill and physical talent.
Rose drove past Jeremy Lin twice and left him completely disoriented.
The Knicks performance tonight was the exact opposite of what they had shown in their previous game.
By halftime, the entire team had shot 3 of 15 from 3 point range.
That percentage was even more painful than what fans normally expected from the Chinese national team.
Chen Yan had 15 points, 5 assists, and 3 rebounds at halftime.
For another player, that would have been a very good stat line.
For Chen Yan, it was not even considered average.
During halftime, Chen Yan considered using an item to improve his form.
In the end, he decided against it.
This was only a regular season game.
Using an item to improve his condition would be too wasteful.
Chen Yan still needed to save his points for injury prevention and physical maintenance during the offseason.
Maintaining a healthy body was the foundation of his success.
Without external assistance, Chen Yan could only adjust his condition himself and force his mind to concentrate.
During the halftime break, Nelson continuously encouraged the players.
He urged them to be more decisive, whether they chose to shoot or drive.
They could not hesitate or become timid simply because their shots were not falling.
As for the offensive system, Nelson made no changes.
The Knicks would continue using their usual fast paced style with an emphasis on perimeter shooting.
Nelson could not suddenly force the team into a half court offense and reduce its 3 point attempts simply because the players were having a poor shooting night.
A team's identity became ingrained in the players.
It could not be changed on a whim.
Inside the Celtics locker room, the atmosphere was much more relaxed.
"Hey, Durant, lighten up. We are already leading by 23 points."
Derrick Rose patted Durant on the back.
Durant cautiously replied, "The game is not over yet."
Stoudemire laughed beside him.
"Do not worry. This one is already in the bag."
Nate Robinson mocked the Knicks in an exaggerated tone.
"They look like they have not even woken up yet. I do not know how we could possibly lose this game."
"Durant, just go out there and enjoy the 2nd half," Derrick Rose said.
"Hahahaha!"
Kevin Durant could not help laughing with his teammates.
He had still carried a trace of concern before, but seeing the confidence and optimism around him made those worries disappear.
As he walked through the players tunnel toward the court, Durant was already planning what he would say to reporters after Boston completed its revenge and crushed the Knicks.
The Knicks opened the 2nd half with Jeremy Lin, Chen Yan, Battier, David West, and DeAndre Jordan.
Boston used Derrick Rose, Mickaël Piétrus, Kevin Durant, Amar'e Stoudemire, and Nenad Krstić.
The Knicks condition did not improve.
After several perimeter passes to begin the 2nd half, Jeremy Lin forced a 3 pointer over the defense.
Missed.
"Do not play like that!" Nelson roared from the sideline. "Drive and kick. Create the shooting space 1st!"
Nelson's system encouraged players to shoot 3 pointers.
That did not mean he wanted them taking wild shots over defenders.
Boston pushed the fast break.
Durant dribbled across half court with Chen Yan blocking his path.
Durant did not risk challenging Chen Yan in isolation.
He knew how dangerous Chen Yan's hands were.
After passing the ball, Durant immediately continued forward without it.
He used Piétrus's screen and curled toward the corner.
Derrick Rose flung the ball across the court with both hands, delivering a wide pass to Durant.
Durant was completely open in the corner.
He held his breath, aimed, and released the shot.
Swish.
A beautiful arc.
A perfect make.
66 to 43.
After that 3 pointer, the difference between the 2 teams had grown to 26 points.
TD Garden erupted.
The fans shared the same thought the Celtics players had expressed during halftime.
This game was already over.
Durant arrogantly held his shooting hand in the air as he returned to the defensive half.
Thousands of thoughts could be condensed into a single sentence.
The storm had passed, the sky had cleared, and Durant thought he had it again.
.....
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