super heavy artillery

Chapter 422 Countdown to Playoffs

It is said that one cannot fall twice in the same place.But the Nuggets once again fell under the thunder of the Thunder at a critical moment in the playoffs.What makes Denver even more heartbreaking is that both times it was defeated by the Thunder players in the most brutal way.Last year, Westbrook made a super long three-pointer at a 45-degree angle to the left of the three-point line to win the game.This year, An Luo ended the game with a three-pointer in the right corner.

Jokic looked bewildered.Murray covered his face with his hands and crouched on the floor.Millsap and Harris hugged and comforted each other.History is always surprisingly similar, but why are the Nuggets so sad.It is not particularly uncomfortable to say that there is no hope of making the playoffs throughout the season.But whether it was last year or this year, the Nuggets have always hoped to enter the playoffs.

An Luo looked at the frustration of the Nuggets players, and felt some sympathy in his heart.However, he didn't feel that he had done anything wrong.Only stronger teams can enter the playoffs.And luck is also part of strength.

After winning the Nuggets, the Thunder's record has reached 66 wins and 11 losses.This has broken the best record in the history of the Thunder, and it still counts the history of the Seattle SuperSonics.Moreover, they have secured the first place in the Western Conference this season ahead of schedule.Even in the entire league, there is no team with a better record than the Thunder.After all, the second-ranked Houston Rockets have just won 60 games.

After March, the entire NBA 2017-18 regular season is coming to an end.By April, there are basically 4 or 5 games left for each team.Those teams that are still hovering at the door of the playoffs must seize the last chance and fight for it!For the Thunder, Rockets, Warriors and other teams aiming for the championship, those few games are not so important.

Take the Thunder as an example, both Donovan and the players have already focused their attention on those teams that may become their playoff opponents.Judging from the current situation, the Spurs, Timberwolves and Nuggets are the most likely teams to become the eighth team in the West.Among them, the Spurs and Timberwolves are now ranked 7th and 8th in the West, respectively.The Nuggets are ranked ninth, but they are 9 games behind the eighth-ranked Timberwolves.If you want to overtake the Timberwolves in the last few games, the difficulty is indeed not small for the Nuggets.

For the Thunder, these three teams are actually pretty much the same.However, they would prefer to meet the Spurs.After all, it was the Spurs who eliminated the Thunder in the Western Conference semifinals last season.Although Thunder himself knew that he was definitely not the Warriors' opponent, everyone was still holding a sigh of relief.Especially the guys who went through that series last season.However, if they really meet the Spurs, the Thunder may not be so easy.Although Leonard has been absent due to injury, both the Spurs official and Leonard himself have revealed that Leonard will return in the playoffs.This guy is not easy to get along with. Last season's series, the Thunder was almost defeated by him single-handedly.

If it was the Timberwolves, it wouldn't take too much effort.Although this season's Timberwolves have become stronger after Butler joined, this team is really not like a strong team.Towns and Wiggins, these two guys, are so talented that people grit their teeth with hatred, and their playing attitude also makes people grit their teeth with hatred!Butler really hates iron for being weak!Although the Timberwolves have won against the Thunder this season, players like Donovan and An Luo are not worried that the other party will cause them any big trouble.

As for the Nuggets, it's hard to say whether they can make it to the playoffs!Even if they scored, the Thunder would be handy against them.

In fact, the Thunder is not particularly worried about the first round.The real competition will start from the second round.Teams such as the Rockets, Warriors, and Trail Blazers are all big hurdles that the Thunder must cross.

It's not just the Lei Ting family who think so.All the teams that have made it to the playoffs, no matter in the east or the west, everyone is eagerly waiting for the playoffs.While the Thunder is looking for an imaginary enemy, other teams are also comparing themselves with the Thunder.However, there are really not many teams in this league that can have the confidence to fight the Thunder for seven games.Except for those teams, other teams that may hit the Thunder are studying countermeasures, how to withstand the Thunder's sharp offensive, how to break the Thunder's tight defense, I don't know how many coaches have been thinking about it. .

In addition to the team's players and coaches, the audience is also very concerned about the upcoming playoffs.Although everyone knows that there are only a few teams that can finally compete for the championship, the fans of each playoff team still spare no effort to support their own teams and players.After all, in the NBA circle, which team is not the pride of a city?Besides Los Angeles, what other city can have two teams!

There is also a group of people who are also staring at these teams.They are the reporters, the media, and the so-called expert commentators who are active in the NBA circle.Although the Thunder are so strong in the regular season, there are not many people in the circle who are really optimistic about them.In comparison, the Warriors are still the team they think is closest to the championship.The second is Thunder.Of course, teams like the Rockets and Raptors also have a chance.The only surprise is that few thought LeBron James' Cavaliers would be a championship contender.Even if the Cavaliers improved after the big change in the season, no one would think that way.James is indeed very powerful, but there is really no help around him.It's impossible for this 34-year-old man to carry the Cavaliers alone to defeat the 76ers, Celtics, and Raptors in the Eastern Conference!

An Luo quickly learned about the comments and reports of these people.His reaction was actually very flat.After all, he has encountered too many such things along the way!Whether at home or abroad, was there a time when you were favored by others?But Westbrook is not happy.Of course, he doesn't really care about other people's criticism of him.Over the years, he has received much more criticism than An Luo!But he craved everyone's approval.As a veteran who has played in the league for 10 years, he doesn't have much time to prove himself slowly.This season is the best opportunity.The Thunder he leads is the strongest, but why are so many people still not optimistic about them?
(End of this chapter)