The Lakers’ 3-game losing streak to Westbrook has become the target of public criticism, but in fact he has been doing his best in the last few games. There were only 9 turnovers in 3 games and nearly 10 assists per game. Westbrook has played well enough. On November 22, 2021, Beijing time, the Lakers defeated the Pistons 121-116. Westbrook scored 26 points, 9 rebounds and 10 assists.
Westbrook’s field goal percentage is now a big problem, but he made it on his first shot in the game. Westbrook formed a pick-and-roll match with Thick Eyebrow, and then hit a mid-range shot again. In the first round after Westbrook re-entered the court, he directly broke through the inside line and succeeded. Without James on the court, Westbrook got more offensive space instead. In the next round, Westbrook broke into the paint and caused the Pistons to foul the defense and made two free throws.
Westbrook’s only shortcoming in the first quarter was 2 individual fouls, but in fact this was Westbrook’s most perfect single quarter, with 8 points on 3 of 3 shots and 0 turnovers and 2 assists. Westbrook came back in the last 5 minutes of the second quarter and killed the opponent’s offense one by one on the defensive end, forcing the opponent to almost 24 seconds offensive violation. So far this season, Westbrook is the best perimeter defensive player on the Lakers, second in defensive contribution.
But the offensive end Wei Shao is indeed a bit difficult, two attempts to miss three-pointers, and even a counterattack layup was also disturbed. Westbrook did not score in the second quarter, and only scored 10 points in the half. By the beginning of the third quarter, Westbrook still hit the Pistons basket, but was knocked to the ground and hit the iron again. There was an embarrassing scene in the 10th minute of the third quarter: Westbrook held the ball at a 45-degree three-pointer on the right side. As a result, the Pistons contracted to defend 5 people and 4 defenders, and simply gave up 3 meters to allow Westbrook to shoot, but the latter did not make a shot. Indeed, Westbrook’s three-point shooting percentage is only 29% this season.
Although the hit rate was not high, Westbrook threw himself into the three-second zone and continued to kill the Pistons. In 6 minutes of the third quarter, Westbrook was overturned in the offense for the third time and made a free throw to help the team chase points. At the end of the quarter, Westbrook finally scored again in the athletic warfare. After a layup, the ball was bumped three times before it fell. It was really trembling to score a goal. Indeed, Westbrook shot 54% from 0-3 feet in the penalty area this season, the third worst in his career.
In the last 9 minutes of the last quarter, Westbrook made a layup after passing a pick and roll. This time the Lakers caught up to single digits. Then Westbrook assisted Anthony to make a three-pointer, and the Lakers have caught up to a 5-pointer. One minute later, Westbrook hurriedly stopped the jumper again, and directed a wave of 7-0 attacks alone to drag the game back. In the last 7 minutes of the last quarter, Westbrook broke through with a long spear alone, and he just finished dunks on Diallo’s head, and then hit a three-pointer. Throughout the last quarter, Westbrook relied on one person to fight back the game. In the last 5 minutes, Westbrook made a key mid-range shot in return for the opponent’s three-pointer. In the last 2 minutes of the game, Westbrook made another layup and provided an assist. At this time, the Lakers finally surpassed the Pistons. This was Westbrook’s best game of the season. He took responsibility in the final quarter and killed the Quartet. Finally, he led the team to complete the reversal and defeat the Pistons.
(Han Shao)Return to Sohu to see more
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