Unlike the Lakers who can send out Paul and Curry as pairs.

If they want to lock down Curry...

The Knicks have only one option: let Iguodala relentlessly shadow Curry.

However, since the wing where Iguodala is stationed is a crucial part of the Knicks' defense system...

Therefore in the first game of this finals, the defensive genius DAntoni's choice was to trust Harden.

In the first half of the quarter...

Due to noticing Qin Yue's particularly heroic state, Curry was not in a hurry to get the ball.

So, this led to Curry, who was strolling around with Harden, making the Knicks players mistakenly believe that Harden could defend Curry.

Now the question arises, can Harden really guard Curry?

Swoosh—!

On the outside, Curry calmly made a three-pointer for the Warriors, immediately signaling Qin Yue with his eyes after scoring.

And upon seeing this, the mighty Great Qin, despite needing to catch his breath, immediately approved Curry's strike request.

Unlike the traditional inside-outside combinations, where there is a clear distinction between primary and secondary.

What is the strongest aspect of the Qin and Curry combination?

It lies in Qin Yue and Curry both being players who can play off the ball and are willing to be the supporting role when their teammates are in better rhythm.

On the court, Harden's step-back shot missed.

Qin Yue protected the rebound and quickly turned around to set up a screen for Curry as he dribbled past half-court.

Immediately...

Bang—!

Swoosh!

Curry followed behind, used Qin Yue's screen, and hit another three-pointer.

21 to 21.

Silent until now, Curry's sudden eruption shocked everyone.

Oracle Arena, these two explosive three-pointers by Curry perfectly demonstrated his ability to adjust during the game.

Also, it showcased Qin Yue's strong bottom-line capability.

With Qin Yue backing him up, Curry undoubtedly surpassed the Curry from the same period in history.

Because Curry, who can keep making trial-and-error plays on the court, is bound to have an increased theoretical chance of explosion.

Actually...

This year's playoffs, judging by the overall team roster strength, the Warriors' dominance is no longer like before.

However, Qin Yue and Curry's dynamic duo ensures that they do not fall behind against any opponent.

On the court, it was the Warriors' turn to attack again.

Curry, who had already hit two consecutive threes, easily shook off Harden and successfully drew a strong hedging defense from Howard towards Qin Yue.

Unlike previous strong hedging defenses.

This time, Howard, not daring to let Curry take a three, had fully lunged in front of Curry.

Although Curry's subsequent behind-the-back pass seemed somewhat reckless.

But using his wingspan advantage to control the ball ahead of Harden, Qin Yue thereby gained a direct path to the Knicks' restricted area.

In the first quarter, the Golden State duo scored 29 of the team's 33 points.

Regarding this, Barkley commented: "I don't think anyone doubts now that Stephen is the perfect partner for the Messiah."

Beside him, O'Neal said: "That's right, just like no one doubts that LeBron should first find a quiet corner to practice his fundamentals to a regular middle school student's level to have a chance to fulfill his physical gifts."

Barkley frowned: "Shaq, aren't you being too hard on LeBron? What's wrong with a grade school level of fundamentals?"

O'Neal sighed: "Charles, you know, I've always been strict."

While making jokes about James at every turn has become the trademark routine of this season's TNT comic duo.

But I must clarify for O'Neal...

He believes James needs to practice his fundamentals to a middle school level to actualize his physical potential, and this view is not wrong.

Because in Qin Yue's memory, if only James's "411 Project" had fewer steps-to-score points, he wouldn't have been scrutinized frame by frame by video analysts, stripping off the cloak named the Emperor's New Clothes.

And at Oracle Arena, by the end of the first quarter, the good news for the Knicks is that the Warriors needed the outburst of Qin Yue and Curry to score evenly against them.

As for the bad news?

On the court, it's another warrior's offensive turn.

You can see there's a figure at least in the first quarter, whom Malone wishes he could kick a couple of times.

But it's this figure's owner.

Upon receiving the ball, on the outside, using behind-the-back dribble changes, he bypassed one of the few Knicks rotation players trusted by DAntoni, Bill.

And this figure's owner also made a picturesque step-back three-pointer, allowing Warriors fans on-site in Oakland to once again feel the presence of...

The contemporary Jordan.

JR Smith exploded with no warning in the first half of the second quarter.

On the court, JR erupted almost instantly, scoring 13 points for the Warriors in less than six minutes.

For DAntoni, who has been painstakingly exhausting the Knicks' main players every night since entering the playoffs, JR Smith's burst is definitely bad to the bone news.

Because this means the Knicks, unable to use staggered travel to open a scoring gap, will face the fully replenished duo of Qin Yue and Curry in the second half of the second quarter.

"You see, that's what I often say, for players like 'JR,' you can only be patient to possibly get returns."

Warriors' bench, you see Malone saying this to Hollins.

And upon hearing...

If Hollins didn't know Malone already wished he could kick JR dead, he might have sincerely believed Malone's nonsense.

At least have some conscience, Mike!

In those days, Phil Jackson never used to self-aggrandize like you do!

At this moment, looking at Malone.

Hollins didn't want to say that in terms of shamelessness, Malone had already far surpassed his imagination.

But in today's league.

Malone is second in shamelessness.

Who the hell dares claim to be first in front of him?

On the court, the game continued.

In the second half of the second quarter, the well-rested duo of Qin Yue and Curry of course gave the Knicks a significant headache.

Forced to constantly hedge on the screen defense against Curry, Howard couldn't truly transform into Superman to simultaneously guard Curry and Qin Yue.

Moreover, as DAntoni's feudal lord-like usage strategy led to the main Knicks players' fatigue inevitably declining...

With the slowing rotation defense compared to the first quarter, the Knicks defensive line almost instantly turned into toys for Qin Yue and Curry.

On the sidelines, "Iron Bull" aptly described: "Second brother attacks, after second brother finishes attacking, big brother attacks, big brother attacks, after big brother finishes attacking, second brother continues attacking."

Thus, by halftime, the Knicks who started with overwhelming momentum instead became the trailing side.

The scoreboard showed, 61 to 69.

Qin Yue racked up 29 points, 11 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 blocks, and 1 steal by halftime.

Curry contributed 19 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1 steal by halftime.

The duo combined for a total of 48 points in the half.

Just asking, if they play a whole game, wouldn't Qin Yue and Curry together score 100 points? (Doge)

CCTV, Yu Jia commented on the first half: "Tonight, the Knicks have displayed all their skills, dazzling audiences. And as for the Warriors? The Warriors give an impression of being strong regardless of others' strength, with a gentle breeze over the mountain, facing whatever challenges, unperturbed by the bright moon over the river, and simply relying on steady True Qi."

During halftime, neither wanting to disrupt the team atmosphere nor wanting to continue taking the blame for Harden, Howard proactively suggested to DAntoni: "Coach, should we consider, changing someone to guard Stephen?"

At this moment, no one could have guessed that until reminded by Howard, the hitherto defensively inept DAntoni realized, indeed, the Knicks could swap someone else to guard Curry.

Of course, criticism aside.

In basketball games, where outsiders may see clearly while insiders may be baffled, if every coach could immediately respond after the opponent plays their cards...

Then how would the NBA have coaching gaps?

The slow CPU of DAntoni decided that, in reality, he is more suited for an assistant coach role than a head coach.

At Oracle Arena, after halftime break, the match continued.

Malone decided to make his move first and adjusted the Warriors' lineup for the start of the second half.

He paired Qin Yue with Wallace in the inside.

And brought veteran Jamison to the front to strengthen the team's offensive firepower.

And the impending major changes in the match were about to prove...

As long as not confronting Rick Carlisle...

Mike Malone indeed has the credentials to show off.

...

PS: The update, though late, has arrived! (I said, as long as I don't take leave, no matter how late, Ah Qiao will bring the update!)