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After "crushing" Harden: The defense becomes the superstar that the Lakers were missing

LeBron and his friends cracked the method of stopping Houston star Vogel for sure: "In the playoffs, it's equivalent to another superstar."

The Rockets recorded a negative record illustrating the defeatist approach: "We are down, we have lost our way"

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• Houston Rockets

• Los Angeles Lakers

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Friday, 11 September 2020, 09:31

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While the Lakers have failed to land Kwai Leonard in the summer, they are slowly discovering that they have weapons almost equivalent to a third superstar alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis: the formidable defense.

Tonight (Thursday-Friday) in a 100: 110 win over Houston that gave them a 1: 3 advantage over Houston and left them with only one win away from the Western Conference Finals, they discovered it again.

The Lakers' defense, which was the best in the NBA in the regular season, was at its peak tonight, stopping the Rockets on just 28 field goals, lowering them to 43 percent from the field, and limiting James Harden to just 21 points, even though he reached 20 free throws.

"Such defense is a powerful weapon in the playoffs. It's the equivalent of another superstar," coach Frank Vogel said at the conclusion.

Indeed, after the loss in the first game of the series, the Lakers changed defensive tactics and began to execute it on the verge of perfection.

James Harden, who receives close care and double saves throughout the series, continued to suffer against the Lakers' "Bulldogs."

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To the full article

That's how they frustrate him.

Harden (Photo: AP)

"Harden is probably one of the best attacking players ever in the league," LeBron James said of his frustrated opponent at the end.

"There were 20 free throws, and that's something we tried to prevent. One of the highlights of our game plan is not to put him on the line much, but he's so smart. We try to limit him as much as possible, because he can score from any position. He knows "To penetrate the basket. He has the step-back. He has the threes in passing attacks. He has his tricks in color, which help him get a lot to the line. He has everything, so we try to take some of the things from him."

The Lakers sent Harden a double save 17 times tonight during pick-and-roll moves.

According to ESPN's database, this is twice the number of times a double save has been sent to him in a playoff game in the last six years.

For comparison, in the first three games the Lakers sent him a double team 13 times in total.

This is how the Lakers took one of their main weapons from Houston: In the regular season, Harden's pick and roll moves averaged 1.13 points per possession - making it one of the most effective moves in the entire league.

Tonight Harden's pick and roll moves yielded just 0.714 points per possession.

"When you have the confidence that you will be able to crush the opponent's attack for four, five or six in a row, when you know you'll get stops and you have a quarterback like LeBron James running your offense, you have a deep belief in what you can achieve," said Frank Vogel. .

And yet, the Lakers are still finding points for improvement on defense.

"I was one step behind in the defensive rotations tonight. I could be a lot better on this side of the field," said Anthony Davis who led the Lakers with 29 points, 12 rebounds, 5 assists and two blocks.

"I got out of pace early in the game, but kept going. I try to do the little things that help the team win - arrange a good block, take an offensive rebound, all that stuff."

Frank Vogel added, "We are happy with what we are doing on defense, but we can always get better. Of course we can reduce our offense. The most important thing in our game plan is to prevent Arden from getting to the line, and today he threw 20 free throws. .

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Find their real weapon in the playoffs.

LeBron and Caruso (Photo: AP)

On the other hand, Houston feels the season is coming to an end.

Although it was a critical game for the Rockets, NBA fans were surprised by the anemia and lack of energy the Rockets showed in the first three quarters, until the late comeback attempt failed.

"We lacked spirit. We seem to be a bit down, we probably lost a bit of a way," admits Mike D'Antoni, who is trying to maneuver between the playoffs and rumors about his future, who may be on a different team.

To what extent is the Rockets' lack of desire manifested?

The following figure reveals: In the first three quarters, they did not score a single basket from a second chance or from an explosive attack.

According to ESPN, this is a negative record in the playoffs since they started tracking that data in 1997.

"Why did we come so lacking in energy? That's a good question," James Harden said of Balconies, "but there's nothing to do with it now, other than move on and get ready for the game. 5 ".

Russell Westbrook also wonders: "I have no explanation. We should have come with a sense of urgency, but she only came in the last quarter. For that to happen the whole game, everyone has to understand that they have to sacrifice themselves. To face this series, a lot of effort is needed. Get out of their comfort zone. "

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