The Rockets have one game to play, and the Pelicans get more time to rest.

However, Stevens did not arrange for the players to relax as he did before the first round, but seized the time to train and stay in shape.

The Mavericks played well in the last game, and if it weren't for Tang Tian, they would probably have played the fifth.

In terms of strength alone, the Mavericks in that game were actually similar to the Rockets behind.

The Big Three's Rockets, when it comes to the playoff stage, are definitely a team that cannot be underestimated.

After the training, Stevens finished chatting with Brown, and turned to talk to Tang Tian about the next round of the opening game.

The opening game between the two sides is important, and the side that has the upper hand will take the initiative throughout the series.

The two of them were more of the same opinion this time.

The starting strength, the two sides are five or five; tactics, played four games in the regular season, and know the roots;

The Pelicans have two advantages in the series, one is Tang Tian, whose strength is higher than any of the Big Three;

Another point and the biggest advantage is the substitution.

On the Pelicans' side, Bojan and Dinwiddie played plenty of minutes in the first round and were in good shape.

Coupled with Jokic's early rotation with the bench, the Pelicans' current bench transition is their strong point.

On the Rockets' side, second-year Capela is not enough to play, and the strongest point is veteran David West.

And D'Antoni likes an 8 or even 7 man rotation, with Brewer, Andre Miller and others all falling out of the normal rotation.

In response to these two points, the Pelicans began to target training in advance.

The Pelicans are preparing, and the first round matches of other groups in the playoffs are also coming to an end or in the closing stages.

The Raptors and Knicks have eliminated the Hornets and Pacers one after another to advance, and only the Heat and Hawks are left in the East, and the Heat temporarily leads 3-2.

The Warriors and Rockets also eliminated the Clippers and Trail Blazers one after another, and the Spurs pulled one back at home to chase the big score to 2-3.

In the final three of the playoffs, both the Cavaliers and the Warriors will have to wait for the results of the last two groups.

But the Pelicans have already taken the lead in the divisional semifinals against the Rockets.

Regular season grudges, Chinese elements, head coach turmoil, and stars piling up......

There's so much to see in this matchup.

In TNT's program, O'Neal, who successfully predicted the Pelicans sweeping the Mavericks, bluntly said that this is the most exciting match played in this year's playoffs so far.

Barkley and Smith both agreed this time.

The first game of the series between the two sides was played in New Orleans, and the day before the game, the Rockets arrived in New Orleans for open practice.

The players look in good spirits and form.

Head coach D'Antoni spoke to reporters on the sidelines.

"The Pelicans have five days off, but you've just finished the series, are you going to be at a physical disadvantage for him?"

"Of course not, we played more easily in the first round, our fitness is not a problem, on the contrary, we just finished the game and we are in good shape."

D'Antoni replied with a smile, his mustache cocked with confidence.

"You have a 0-4 record against the Pelicans in the regular season, does that put you under psychological pressure during the game?"

"Of course not, we've spent a lot of time grinding through this season, and it's the playoffs and we've got three superstars who have been the stars and proven themselves."

D'Antoni continued to laugh back.

"Do you have a defensive tactic against Don?"

The last question asked by the reporter is also a must-ask question.

Carlisle failed to solve Tang Tian's defensive problems from start to finish in the first round.

"Of course, we know the way they play, we know the way Don plays, so we'll see in the game."

D'Antoni is still confident.

From beginning to end, he has always revealed confidence to the outside world.

Rockets fans are also encouraged by the content of such interviews.

It is said that Stevens' coaching this season has beaten D'Antoni, but D'Antoni is not bad!

The original Sun bombardment was a classic, and the Rocket Big Three will definitely have to run in time this season, and it is already very good to get this record.

As for Stevens, like Cole, he is picking up ready-made peaches!

Who knows if D'Antoni will coach the Pelicans better than this? Or what can Stevens do with the Rockets?

In an atmosphere of confidence, the first game of the Western Conference finals between the Pelicans and Rockets officially kicked off at the New Orleans Arena.

The arena was packed.

In the commentary area, in addition to the TNT triumvirate sitting in the most conspicuous position, Zhang Weiping and Su Qun also sat in the next best position.

This round of the series is a Western final in the United States, and it is even more popular in China.

"Although D'Antoni is very confident in the pre-game interview, but what, the Pelicans' strength is here, according to my understanding, if the defensive methods he said can't limit Tang Tian, regardless of the Rockets' superstars, the Pelicans should win or have to win."

After Zhang Weiping became Weiping Tian, the familiar arguments made domestic fans have a full appetite.

Before the opening ceremony, the award ceremony for the best defensive player was held on the spot.

Tang Tian held the trophy high and completely ignited the atmosphere before the game.

After the opening ceremony, this atmosphere reached a climax.

As the playoffs progressed, the atmosphere at New Orleans Arena was getting better and better.

Davis jumped to beat Cousins to kick off the Western Conference semifinals.

The Pelicans played the No. 1 tactic in the frontcourt, Tang Tian just broke through with the ball, and Harden on the weak side of the Rockets helped defend the package.

Tang Tian gave the ball to Ariza, who hit a three-point shot from the bottom corner.

Harden's breakaway thrower in the frontcourt hit also in color.

In the next round, Tang Tian broke through on the left side, and Morris's assistance defense also came up for the first time.

Tang Tian gave the ball to Davis, who cut in, Davis met Cousins to help defend and threw the ball above the basket, Jokic jumped up and received it lightly.

The opening rounds became a microcosm of the first quarter of the game.

The Rockets were resolute on the defensive end, but Tang Tian's passing speed was fast, and the Pelicans' offense rotated quickly.

Basically every round they find holes in the Rockets' defense to score.

The Rockets have no problem with their own offense, but this defensive strategy allows them to lose points very quickly.

"This is incomprehensible, there's no reason to be so clipped, you have to see Tang Tian's feel first, right? It really doesn't make sense. ”

Su Qun shouted that he couldn't understand.

"What am I talking about? What D'Antoni said was false, and that's basically it. ”

Zhang Weiping was smiling on the side.

The Rockets insisted on the practice of wrapping Tang Tian for the entire half, and even pinching the ball handler, but the Pelicans' offensive system was almost the same, and this approach was completely negative.

At halftime, the Rockets scored 45 points of their own, and the offense was not too much of a problem, but they allowed the Pelicans to score 60 points!

The score set a new high for the Pelicans in a playoff half this season.

In the second half, D'Antoni finally made an adjustment and stopped attacking Tang Tian, but it was too late.

The Pelicans' team was already in shape in the first half, leading by 22 points after three quarters.

Fourth, Jankic took the bench to play another 12-2, and the game ended early.

The final score was fixed at 123-100.

Seven Pelicans scored double-doubles, and Tang Tian easily scored a quasi-triple-double of 21 points, 10 assists and 7 boards in the third quarter.

When the final whistle blew, the fans cheered.

Tang Tian and Stevens looked at each other.

This script is completely different from what they imagined!

They had prepared so much, they thought it would be a fierce battle, but D'Antoni did it, and they were all busy in vain!

ps: Today, my mother's condition is much better, the day after tomorrow, I saw a lot of people's care and blessings and I didn't have time to reply one by one, but I really appreciate it