Although the Thunder scored 28 points in the first quarter, Coach Brooks was not satisfied with the latter half of the quarter. The tactics were too rigid, of course, this was also because Kayce was restricted by Kobe's defense.
In fact, the number of core tactics for each NBA team is not too many. After more than 20 games of adjustments and experiments, the coaching staff designed 5 core tactics for the Thunder.
More precisely, they designed tactics for Kayce and Durant.
When Russell joined the team last season, Coach Brooks wanted Russell to be the tactical initiator and ball-handler in offense, but after playing for one season, the effect was very poor.
After continuous trials and attempts this season, the coaching staff determined Russell's tactics to be high pick-and-roll followed by elbow isolations, drive-and-kick plays, and transition offense.
At the beginning of the first quarter, they attacked Fisher, and Russell scored continuously. After the Lakers made substitutions and adjustments, the offensive initiation point became Kayce and Durant.
One of the most frequently used tactics was for Kayce to open up space in the left corner, while Durant first set a screen for Jeff Green in the paint. Jeff Green then quickly ran to the corner.
At the same time, Kostić set an off-ball screen for Durant's flare out at the free-throw line. Once the play was executed, Russell could easily pass the ball to Durant, who had screened out.
Although Durant's ball-handling ability was a bit lacking, his finishing ability was absolutely unquestionable.
Whether it was a quick step drive after receiving the ball, or a pull-up jump shot on the move, he could easily score. If all else failed, he could still draw fouls.
Artest was taken down by Durant in this manner, but after a few possessions, the Lakers reacted. Bynum strengthened his drop coverage, trying not to give up the basket and forcing Durant to take pull-up jump shots.
This move was indeed effective. At this point, the tactics should have changed to Kayce initiating with the ball, but awkwardly, facing Kobe's tight defense, receiving the ball off a screen became an issue.
Kobe's defense was too aggressive, with many subtle fouls, and he was particularly agile at fighting through screens. This led to Kayce being unable to easily receive the ball off a teammate's screen, and every drive after receiving the ball was also exceptionally difficult.
With issues at the offensive initiation point, isolations increased in the latter half of the first quarter. Fortunately, the game had just started, and everyone's shooting percentage was relatively high.
Whenever they faced a Playoffs team, Coach Brooks would shorten his rotation. This game was no exception. He kept Kayce and Jeff Green from the starting lineup and brought in Livingston, Thabo Sefolosha, and Ibaka.
At the same time, he pulled out his tactics board and repeatedly instructed his players:
"Kayce, run more double screen plays. You'll manage it yourself when you're on the court. We need to clear the paint. Green, Ibaka, pay attention to the screen quality. Everyone must spread out the offensive space."
Coach Brooks didn't even mention defense. This small-ball lineup was purely for offense. They certainly couldn't defend the Lakers' strong low-post offense, but as long as they could score and respond, this game was playable.
In their last encounter, the small lineup collapsed immediately. This time, Coach Brooks was still unwilling to give up, and the small-ball lineup continued.
The Thunder had the first possession in the second quarter. As soon as Livingston dribbled past half-court, Kayce immediately signaled an offensive play to his teammates, then ran to the right corner beyond the three-point line.
At the same time, Thabo Sefolosha also ran to the left corner. Livingston, at the left 45-degree angle beyond the three-point line, feigned a pick-and-roll. Ibaka first stepped up, and then Jeff Green followed, moving towards the top of the key.
At this point, Kayce also started to move, running towards the top of the three-point arc. Jeff Green first screened Artest for Kayce, and then Ibaka's second screen successfully allowed Kayce to easily receive the ball at the arc.
Livingston's pass was very comfortable. After receiving the ball, Kayce didn't hesitate, taking a jump shot directly from beyond the three-point line.
"Swish!" The three-pointer went in cleanly.
After scoring, Kayce immediately clapped in celebration and gave his teammates a thumbs-up. The quality of this double screen was excellent.
The Lakers' offense was somewhat simple and direct. With the perimeter tightly guarded by the Thunder, they immediately fed the ball to Bynum in the low post. Facing Ibaka's post defense, he backed down twice to get close to the basket, then turned and hit a hook shot.
As a player aspiring to be an All-Star center in the West, Bynum still possessed some low-post skills.
In these days, to be an All-Star big man, just being a 'pick-and-roll' finisher wasn't enough. This was also why Howard was obsessed with low-post offense.
Seeing the Lakers score in the low post, the Thunder players on the court showed no psychological fluctuation. Playing defense by relying on luck was already everyone's consensus.
On the Thunder's offense, the perimeter players made a few quick passes. Kayce noticed that Bynum's defense was still roaming around the three-second area. He first gave Jeff Green a look, then signaled a play to Livingston.
Ibaka was still near the free-throw line. At this point, Jeff Green suddenly ran from beyond the three-point line towards the inside. Kayce set a screen for Jeff Green in the three-second area under the basket, then immediately flared out.
Ibaka's screen at the free-throw line caused Artest's chase-down defense to be half a step slow. So, when Kayce received the ball and drove with a quick step, Artest was already a half-step behind and could only defend from the side.
Bynum saw Kayce already driving towards the paint and immediately collapsed to the basket, but Kayce had been observing the Lakers' defense. Seeing the opponent move, he made a behind-the-back bounce pass with his left hand to Ibaka.
The latter received the ball and took a mid-range jump shot from the free-throw line.
"Swish!" The two-pointer went in steadily.
If Durant were to execute the same tactic, this shot would most likely be a pull-up jump shot or a layup to draw a foul, as Durant would need to be careful to protect the ball, and Artest's defense was very oppressive.
But Kayce didn't have this worry. His balanced left and right hands, combined with the 'Ball Control Master' badge bonus, allowed him to handle the ball with ease. As long as the screen quality upfront was good, the tactic could be executed easily.
For the next 3-plus minutes, the Thunder's offense was completely ignited by Kayce. Ibaka didn't go to the basket on offense at all, staying near the free-throw line to screen. The Thunder completely cleared the paint.
Kayce didn't continuously attack but used his gravity to create more opportunities for his teammates. After screening, he would come out to receive the ball, and as soon as he observed the Lakers' defense coming to help, he would immediately pass the ball.
Thabo Sefolosha and Jeff Green both easily scored on easy plays. The Thunder's strategy was working. The Lakers' pick-and-roll defense was very good; after all, they were the defending champions, and their basic defense was always on point.
But once the big men were pulled out, some issues would arise in defending continuous screens.
With 8 minutes and 25 seconds left in the second quarter, Head Coach Phil Jackson called a timeout. The Thunder had gone on a 9-4 run, and the Lakers were clearly getting a bit anxious, with their offensive rhythm off.
Coach Brooks secretly clenched his fist. This was it; this was the offense he wanted to see. His gaze towards Kayce grew increasingly satisfied.
Even though Durant was wildly waving a towel on the sidelines, jumping up and down with a smile, the sense of crisis in his heart resurfaced:
"I can't play this same tactic any better, and in many possessions, I can't pass the ball like Kayce. Is his tactical importance going to catch up to mine?"
Coach Brooks had no idea about Durant's little thoughts. At this moment, he only wanted to press his advantage:
"Guys, maintain our offense. Kayce, when Kobe comes back in, you need to run some cross-cuts, using Green's and Ibaka's screens to move from the strong side to the weak side. Kevin, you need to be active in both corners."
"Russell, when Kayce breaks free from the defense, pay attention to the Lakers' defensive positioning. The ball movement must be quick!"
"We need to dismantle the Lakers' Twin Towers. Remember, maintain good offensive spacing. If there's an open three-pointer, shoot it decisively. Kayce, control the offensive rhythm!"
Kayce immediately nodded, indicating he understood. Durant felt uncomfortable hearing this because, in this tactical scheme, Kayce had become the tactical core, handling the ball more.
After the timeout, the Lakers brought in their full starting lineup. The Thunder kept Ibaka, and Russell and Durant re-entered the game. Whether they could lead at halftime would depend on the remaining 8 minutes.
Coming out of the timeout, the Lakers immediately ran a high-low play. Gasol came to the low post, received a pass from Bynum, and easily scored with a back-to-the-basket hook shot under the rim.
Jeff Green inbounded the ball, and Russell slowly dribbled it past half-court. At this point, the Thunder's offensive positioning was very interesting: clearing one side.
Durant was in the right corner beyond the three-point line, Kayce was at the right 45-degree angle beyond the three-point line, and Ibaka was in the right elbow area at the free-throw line. After Jeff Green settled into the left elbow area at the free-throw line, Kayce pushed off Kobe's defense and instantly exploded.
He moved with a cross-cut from the right side of the three-point line to the left side. Two screens in the elbow area helped him easily shake off Kobe's entanglement, bringing him to the left 45-degree angle beyond the three-point line. Russell's pass arrived as well.
After receiving the ball, Kayce didn't adjust, quickly releasing a three-point shot from beyond the arc.
"Swish!" The three-pointer went in steadily.
Coach Brooks watched excitedly from the sidelines. This was how they had to play; even the Twin Towers were useless. Kayce could drive, shoot, and pass from the perimeter. He would punish the opponent's big men on mismatches.
In the first quarter, Durant just lacked ball-handling, otherwise, the offense would have flowed more smoothly. After changing the core, the effect was indeed immediate.
Phil Jackson was no longer leaning back in his chair. After standing up, he immediately signaled his big men to hedge quickly, not allowing the Thunder's offense to be so easy.
The Lakers' offense had no problems. Kobe and Gasol's pick-and-roll easily penetrated the Thunder's defense. Gasol's mid-range jump shot from the free-throw line was simply indefensible for Jeff Green.
But when Gasol turned around on defense, he was punished by Kayce.
It was still a cross-cut after a double screen. This time, Gasol came up quickly, immediately rotating to defend in front of Kayce, giving Kayce a half-step of space, while raising his left hand high to contest the jump shot.
Kayce received the ball, used a triple threat, faked a drive to the left, quickly put the ball down, and immediately changed direction with a crossover. This change of direction forced Gasol's defensive center of gravity to shift.
Immediately following was a crossover dribble pull-back. Gasol wanted to close out again, but it was already too late. He could only watch as Kayce took a step-back three-point jump shot.
"Swish!" The three-pointer went in cleanly.
"Boo!!!"
After this shot went in, the previously somewhat silent Staples Center immediately sent out a huge boo for Kayce. Lakers fans certainly didn't want to see Kayce continue to show off like this in their home arena.
In the remaining minutes of the second quarter, both sides went back and forth. Although the Thunder were constantly being out-rebounded on offensive boards, preventing their fast breaks, they still maintained a 5-point lead in the half-court offense, thanks to Kayce's continuous playmaking.
Durant was conflicted at this point. Although he had become the second offensive option, he found that scoring was much easier for him. Whether it was off-ball cuts or Kayce's drive-and-kick passes, he always got easy buckets.
With just over two minutes left in the second quarter, Head Coach Phil Jackson subbed Bynum out and brought in Odom to increase the speed of their defensive rotations.
After that, both teams started missing shots frequently. As their stamina was continuously depleted, their shooting percentages naturally began to drop. In the last few possessions, the Thunder switched to a new offensive strategy.
Kayce brought the ball across half-court. Russell and Jeff Green settled into the two corners. Ibaka came up to the free-throw line elbow to set a screen for Kayce. At this point, Durant faked a cut towards the basket from the free-throw line.
When Kayce drove to his left, Ibaka then went to set another screen for Durant, allowing Durant to pop out for the ball. The pass was perfectly timed. After receiving the pass from Kayce, Durant didn't hesitate, pulling up for a fadeaway from beyond the three-point line.
"Bang!" He missed badly.
"F*ck! That didn't go in either!"
Durant cursed under his breath in frustration. It was such a good, open look, and he still missed.
Odom secured the long rebound and pushed the fast break, finding Kobe with a long pass. Kobe received the ball, immediately accelerated, drove towards the basket, leaning into Kayce's defense, faked a shot, and then passed to Artest in the corner.
Artest received the ball and confidently shot a three-pointer.
"Bang!" He also missed.
Artest was about to raise his hands in celebration but could only awkwardly pump his fist to show his frustration.
After Jeff Green secured the long rebound, he immediately passed to Russell. Russell received the ball, accelerated in a straight line, and charged towards the opponent's paint. Ignoring Gasol under the basket, he took three long strides, jumped up, dodged in the air, and scored with a left-handed layup.
"Ah!!"
After scoring, Russell angrily pounded his chest. This was the Thunder's first fast break, and he had been holding it in for most of the half.
Kobe's expression darkened. That play was his fault; he should have attacked the rim directly. The pass was a wrong choice.
With 38 seconds left in the second quarter, both teams had one last possession. The Lakers ran down the shot clock to about 10 seconds and gave the ball to Kobe in the low post.
Facing Kayce's defense, after a triple threat, he quickly put the ball down with his right hand, crossed over, dribbled two steps towards the baseline with his left hand, faking a baseline drive, then suddenly twisted his body and dribbled one step back towards the top with his right hand.
Seeing Kobe reach the edge of the baseline paint area again, Kayce immediately felt a bad premonition. Then he saw Kobe pull the ball back with his right hand, quickly gather it, and shoot a fadeaway.
"Swish!" The two-pointer easily went in.
"Oh! Ah!!"
Inside Staples Center, the live audience immediately erupted with enthusiastic cheers for Kobe's fadeaway. Los Angeles fans just loved watching Kobe's isolation plays; it was a work of art!
While inbounding the ball, Kayce caught up with Kobe, who was running back on defense, and whispered:
"The baseline paint area is definitely your shooting hot spot. Every time you get the ball in the low post, you always like to get close to the baseline paint area. I'll guard you in the second half."
"Yeah, you found out, but you can't stop me. I'll still hit shots there in the second half. Your box-out lacks aggression. Keep it up, rookie!"
Kobe generously admitted it, and then calmly talked trash.
On the Thunder's last possession, Kayce was again tangled up by Kobe and couldn't get the ball easily. Seeing time running out, Russell, after Ibaka's high screen, took a step beyond the three-point line and pulled up for a jump shot.
"Swish!" It was a buzzer-beater, a long two-pointer.
At halftime, the score was 61-54, with the Thunder leading by 7 points on the road heading into the second half.
During halftime, Coach Brooks immediately drew on the whiteboard, explaining the tactical arrangements for the second half to his players:
"The Lakers might bring back their twin towers lineup in the third quarter. If Bynum and Gasol are both in, pay attention, guys, we need to continue to clear out the paint and set good screens."
"Of course, if Head Coach Phil Jackson makes adjustments, he will send out a big-four-small lineup. At this time, we need to speed up our offensive pace. Their shooting percentage has already started to drop, and we need to seize fast break opportunities."
"Kayce, if the opponent is a big-four-small lineup, you need to stand more in the two corners to pull Kobe out. Russell, at this time, you need to run more pick-and-rolls with the 5-spot."
"Kevin, you need to play smarter. With Kostić on the floor, you need to make good use of his off-ball screens to create better shooting space for yourself. Be decisive with your shots."
"That's it for offense. On defense, in low-post defense, the defender on the top side can appropriately increase some interference or double-teams. You need to communicate on the court, don't be afraid to foul. We controlled our foul count very well in the first half."
"We are up by 7 points. In the third quarter, play tougher. We will win this game."
Coach Brooks was getting a bit carried away at this point, bringing out all his hidden tactics and pouring out motivational speeches one after another.
At the start of the third quarter, Head Coach Phil Jackson immediately changed his lineup. Odom started, replacing Bynum, and Fisher also remained in the starting lineup for the second half. The Lakers still needed Fisher's three-point shooting.
While inbounding the ball, Kayce signaled to Russell. They ran a pick-and-roll. After crossing half-court, Kayce immediately went to the corner to draw out his defender, creating space for his teammates.
Kayce was in the left corner, Durant in the right corner. At this point, Jeff Green and Durant moved simultaneously. Kostić also came up to screen for Russell. Durant's movement was a fake, while Russell's was real.
After the screen, Russell drove to the left, immediately accelerated in a straight line, and charged towards the basket. He went up against the recovering Gasol, absorbed the contact in the air, and laid the ball in.
"Roar!"
After landing, Russell immediately flexed his biceps to the Staples Center audience.
On the Lakers' possession, when Gasol dropped into the low post to post up, Durant on the top side began to symbolically interfere. Coupled with Kostić desperately defending with his large frame, Gasol's turnaround hook shot rimmed out.
After Jeff Green secured the rebound, he immediately passed to Durant, who, without stopping the ball, quickly passed to the accelerating Russell. Fisher tried to grab him, hoping to delay the fast break.
But unfortunately, the charging Russell was like a small tank, accelerating faster and faster in a straight line. In two or three strides, he shook off Fisher, dashed towards the basket, jumped with both feet, and slammed down a full-circle windmill dunk.
"Slam!" The fast-break dunk went in.
"Boo!!"
Staples Center erupted in loud boos, as the excited Russell was jumping and skipping back on defense, simultaneously raising both hands to encourage louder boos.
However, Fisher was indeed effective on offense. Utilizing Kobe and Gasol's low-post presence, with continuous give-and-go, Fisher was able to hit outside three-pointers.
Head Coach Phil Jackson was also conflicted at this point. Subbing out Fisher might strengthen the defense, but on offense, Fisher's three-pointers could really go in. Vujacic was too cold when he came in, and couldn't stretch the floor.
But after half of the third quarter, the situation on the court suddenly changed. On the Thunder's offense, it was still Russell's high pick-and-roll strategy, but this time, Fisher squeezed through the screen in time, and Gasol recovered even faster.
Seeing no shooting opportunity, Russell passed the ball to Kostić at the high post. At this point, Kayce ran from the corner to execute a hand-off with Kostić.
After receiving the ball, with 10 seconds left on the shot clock, Kayce dribbled with his right hand, faking a drive. Noticing Kobe adjusting his defensive Center of Gravity, he suddenly executed a large-range spin move.
He dribbled one step with his left hand, using Kostić's large frame to screen Kobe, and after shaking off the defense, quickly shot a three-pointer from beyond the arc.
"Swish!" The three-pointer went through the net without touching the rim.
Kobe didn't expect Kayce to just pull up and shoot from beyond the three-point line. A rookie making a three-pointer in front of him, he had to respond.
After crossing half-court, Gasol immediately came up to set a screen. Kobe drove to the left, and from the top of the arc, he pulled up for a three-point jump shot.
"Bang!" He missed badly.
Artest and Odom immediately crashed the boards, scrambling for the rebound under the basket. Finally, Jeff Green managed to secure the rebound.
"Kevin, Double!!"
Before crossing half-court, Kayce immediately shouted loudly to Durant, while also making a tactical hand gesture to his teammates.
After bringing the ball across half-court, Kayce immediately went to the left corner of the three-point line again to create space. It was still a high pick-and-roll strategy, but this time Kostić gave Russell a fake screen.
And Durant in the corner, through the double screen of Jeff Green and Kostić, received the pass from Russell beyond the three-point line. After shaking off the defense, he pulled up for a jump shot.
"Swish!" Another three-pointer went in.
This shot going in somewhat broke Artest's defense on Durant. He had been struggling on offense this game, constantly having to fight through screens on defense, and Durant had drawn 4 fouls on him. He had been bottling up his anger, and at this moment, he could no longer hold it in:
"You're just a softie who can only shoot and get free throws, you're nothing without the whistle!"
"F*ck you! Go beg Kobe to carry you to win the game, look at you, you really look like a pathetic little dog! Just barking, go find your master."
Durant, as an expert trash-talker, was also in full force at this moment, unleashing a barrage of insults at Artest.
Seeing the situation escalate, Kayce quickly went to pull Artest away, while Russell also rushed over and pushed Odom away to prevent any sneak attacks.
Artest, being held back, couldn't charge forward. At this point, the referee also came over and quickly separated the two sides.
The audience at Staples Center, enjoying the spectacle, watched merrily. Many people even joined in the heckling, and the atmosphere in the arena suddenly became boisterous again.
Kayce saw Artest still chattering away and said to Durant beside him:
"Nice job, Kevin, that guy must have 5 fouls now, he can't play in the third quarter anymore!"
Durant was very pleased. After high-fiving Kayce in celebration, he said with a smile:
"That guy's trash talk is so outdated. He should check Twitter more often. Nobody can beat me in the trash-talk department!"
Kayce's expression was strange, and that famous trash talk line, "Before you came," suddenly popped into his mind. He quickly dismissed this boring thought, thinking with excitement:
"Artest has been technically knocked out, and the Lakers won't be able to catch up in this game either!"