On the Wizards' bench, everyone was in low spirits, having lost by 10 points in the first quarter.
As the train of time slowly passed through the Ford Center, 27-year-old Gilbert Arenas sat on the bench, his angry gaze fixed, wanting to give Russell a couple of elbows!
Is that how you defend? Against an injured All-Star, you should show some respect.
In the first quarter, he was defended by Russell and the Thunder's perimeter, shooting 1-for-6 from the field and 1-for-2 from the free-throw line, accumulating a meager 3 points, 2 rebounds, and 1 assist. Arenas was starting to doubt his life; these youngsters truly lacked martial ethics.
Head Coach Philip Saunders knew his star player was performing poorly, but sometimes, you still had to use him. In the second quarter, Arenas continued to play, partnering with Randy Foye in the backcourt.
At the same time, Antawn Jamison and Mike Miller on the Washington Wizards' frontcourt also remained on the court, while Andray Blatche was substituted in to play the 5th position.
This was a five-out lineup, with everyone capable of shooting from long range. Head Coach Philip Saunders hoped to quickly tie the score, otherwise, the second half would be difficult.
The Thunder were without Nick Collison, who was out with a back injury, so Kevin Ollie was brought back into the rotation. Kayce played at the 2nd position, Thabo Sefolosha at the 3rd, Etan Thomas at the 4th, and Ibaka became the center.
This lineup primarily relied on Kayce to drive the offense, as the other players had slightly weaker self-offensive capabilities.
Zhang took one look at the Washington Wizards' lineup, seeing that several starters were still in, and knew they were trying to catch up.
"The Washington Wizards are keeping their starters in for the second quarter, looking to make a push to catch up. The Thunder need to pay attention to their defense."
After Kevin Ollie brought the ball past half-court, his teammates began to move. Ibaka set an off-ball screen, and Kayce called for the ball in the low post.
Antawn Jamison is an experienced veteran, and at 33 years old, he was still the second-leading scorer for the Washington Wizards last season, an excellent 3D player.
After Kayce received the ball in the low post, Thabo Sefolosha moved to the corner, Kevin Ollie positioned himself at the top of the arc, and Ibaka and Etan Thomas also observed the court from another angle, ready to cut at any moment.
Feeling the physical confrontation from his opponent, Kayce leaned back, then quickly put the ball down with his left hand, turned, and drove along the baseline. Antawn Jamison's lateral movement was also quick, sticking close to him in defense, intending to directly knock Kayce away.
Kayce felt fine with this level of confrontation. Noticing that Andray Blatche also wanted to come over for a double-team, he made a subtle bounce pass with his left hand while on the move, threading it through the gap between the two defenders.
Etan Thomas, who had come off the screen, took the pass and easily laid it in for 2 points.
"Kayce played that ball very intelligently. He drove along the baseline with his back to the basket, drew the defense, and then passed the ball to his cutting teammate. A perfect offensive play!"
Zhang praised Kayce again.
Andray Blatche's offense was good, but his defensive positioning was not. If it weren't for his offensive contributions, Coach Ben wouldn't have wanted to put him in so early.
After Arenas brought the ball past half-court, he found that the Thunder's perimeter defense was still very aggressive. Having lost his explosiveness, he found it difficult to break through one-on-one and could only call for another pick-and-roll.
Andray Blatche's screen quality wasn't high, and Arenas didn't get a good shooting opportunity. So he accelerated with a right-hand dribble to drive, but in doing so, he ran directly into Ibaka's arms.
Feeling he couldn't force the shot, he tried to pass the ball back out to the perimeter, but Thabo Sefolosha was waiting for it, stealing the ball directly. He then threw a powerful pass to the frontcourt, where Kayce caught the ball and took off for a one-handed dunk!
"Slam!" "Ah!!!"
This dunk once again ignited the enthusiasm of the audience in the Ford Center, who erupted in huge cheers!
Arenas was a bit broken; could he not even perform well with the bench unit anymore?
Washington Wizards' offense. This time, Randy Foye signaled everyone to slow down.
After several passes, Andray Blatche skillfully changed direction in front of his body, then backed down Ibaka and made a layup.
"His technique is indeed good. Andray Blatche is very suitable for the CBA. His biggest problem is still defense, but the CBA doesn't have a defensive three-second rule, which suits big men like him."
Yang Jian spoke his mind; Blatche would definitely be a dominant force in the CBA.
Thunder on offense. After several passes on the perimeter, Ibaka moved up to set a screen. Kayce feigned going right, then suddenly made a crossover. Antawn Jamison rushed too fast and collided with Ibaka.
Kayce accelerated with his left-hand dribble, shaking off the defense. Facing Blatche in the paint, he executed a nimble European step layup on the move, easily scoring 2 points.
"Oh!! Ah!!"
The fans in the arena also gasped. Kayce's move was a bit like Wade's signature drive, leaving Blatche stunned in place.
Kayce also smiled slightly; his scoring was enough, time to start racking up stats!
For the next 5-plus minutes of the second quarter, Kayce transformed into a relentless passing machine, ensuring that whenever a teammate had an opportunity, the ball was there.
Thabo Sefolosha benefited greatly from Kayce's passing, sinking three consecutive three-pointers from the perimeter, astonishing his teammates on the bench who furiously waved their towels.
"Unbelievable! Everyone's making their shots. The Washington Wizards' second unit defense is terrible, and Randy Foye keeps losing his man!"
Zhang was speechless watching, this game was about to be over, all that anticipation for nothing.
Head Coach Philip Saunders called a timeout. Arenas had disappeared, and the Washington Wizards' offense relied entirely on Blatche and Antawn Jamison, who were playing with increasing desperation.
After the timeout, Arenas was subbed out, and the starters were brought back in. They kept Blatche and Haywood, playing a twin-tower lineup with one inside and one outside, continuing to push their offense.
The Thunder also brought their starters back in. Kayce continued to play, as Coach Brooks wanted to establish a strong lead in this quarter, making the second half much easier.
"Kevin, run more pick-and-rolls with Blatche. Trust me, they definitely can't defend it!"
Before going on the court, Kayce whispered to Durant. The lead was already 14 points, and Kayce aimed to rack up assists in this quarter, then grab some rebounds in the third!
Without Arenas, Caron Butler temporarily took over as the primary ball-handler. The Washington Wizards' height immediately increased; at a glance, it was a lineup of pure forwards.
On the offensive possession, Blatche moved to the high post to facilitate, while Haywood was in the low post. They executed a high-low post play, and Haywood scored with a strong move inside.
But on the other end, Durant had the ball. Jeff Green set a fake screen and popped out. Durant accelerated with a right-hand dribble, blowing past Blatche, who had switched onto him. Haywood came over to help, and Durant dished the ball out to Kayce on the perimeter.
After receiving the ball, a convincing pump fake sent Antawn Jamison's defense flying. Kayce dribbled with his left hand into the paint. Haywood again came over to help, but Kayce delivered a lob pass.
Kostić finished with an alley-oop dunk under the basket!
"Slam!" The easy score was successful.
"Great play! The Thunder's continuous drive-and-kick, starting from Durant, was very patient in attack! Finally, Kayce delivered a beautiful alley-oop."
Zhang was excited again, immediately showering them with praise, his speech so fast that Yang Jian beside him was momentarily stunned.
For the remaining time in the second quarter, the Thunder's simple drive-and-kick plays dismantled the Washington Wizards. Kayce, Russell, Durant, and Jeff Green on the perimeter all drove to the basket, leaving Haywood numb.
Mike Miller and Andray Blatche were decent on offense, but their frequent defensive errors cost the Washington Wizards points, and their second-quarter adjustment failed.
By halftime, the score was 64-48, with the Thunder leading by 16 points. Kayce's stats quietly climbed to 13 points, 7 rebounds, and 8 assists.
During halftime in the Thunder's locker room, everyone was beaming, anticipating another win!
When Durant saw the stats, his eyes lit up. He turned to everyone and said:
"Kayce has a chance for a triple-double in the second half, guys. Let's push hard and make him treat us in Los Angeles if he gets it!"
Kayce also generously admitted that stats, after all, relied on everyone's support.
"No problem, when we get to Los Angeles, private party, I promise, plenty of hot girls! Just say what you want to eat and drink!"
"Wow! Then we won't be polite!" Immediately, the atmosphere in the locker room became even more heated.
The Thunder's next game will be an away game in Los Angeles against the Los Angeles Lakers. By the way, this game will be nationally televised, thanks to the Los Angeles Lakers' popularity.
After the third quarter began, the Thunder first had their power forwards move to the high post. Kostić and Jeff Green started boxing out for rebounds, and then the Russell shooter also moved to the high post.
"Clumsy! So clumsy! Look at you guys, it's too obvious that you're stat-padding, but this feeling, it's so good!"
Kayce was getting stats while complaining about his teammates' performance.
In the CCTV broadcast studio, Zhang and Yang Jian were dumbfounded; their stat-padding was too obvious.
"It seems the Thunder are very united internally. Seeing Kayce needing a few more rebounds and assists, his teammates are all actively helping. Unity is strength, and this game is basically won."
Yang Jian could only offer platitudes when he saw the situation on the court; he couldn't directly say they were padding for a triple-double.
Finally, at 5 minutes and 58 seconds of the third quarter, with Russell's three-pointer, Kayce achieved a triple-double, and the audience in the Ford Center also gave him a huge cheer.
"Good brother, Russell!"
Kayce also smiled and high-fived Russell. In crucial moments, his own brother was the most reliable.
With the stats padded and the team leading by 20 points, Coach Brooks first put in the bench unit. Then, Head Coach Philip Saunders also called a timeout and put in the deep bench players.
Nick Young and JaVale McGee were also very happy at this time, after all, there was still more than a quarter left, and they finally got to play!
The fourth quarter flew by, and in the end, the Thunder defeated the Washington Wizards 127-108, maintaining their undefeated record at home.
15 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists, no turnovers. 19-year-old Kayce recorded another triple-double. After the game, media reporters surrounded him, making it impossible to pass.
Facing questions from media reporters, Kayce appeared calm and collected, looking like a big shot. Whenever asked, he'd say the coach was good, his teammates were great, and they were a family.
This left the reporters speechless. Couldn't he change his answers? It forced them to fabricate news when they went back.
Back in the locker room, everyone was shouting and dancing wildly. A triple-double plus a win, everyone was extremely happy.
"Kayce, when we get to Los Angeles, we absolutely have to have a big party!!"
Durant, shirtless, egged him on.
"Party! Party! Party!!"
Everyone else joined in the chant.
"No problem!! Los Angeles is my turf, I guarantee you'll have a great time!"
Kayce readily agreed; the stats weren't earned for nothing.
"Oh!! Ah!!"
Everyone was completely hyped up.
Kayce, while happily jumping and dancing, was also thinking about the game against the Los Angeles Lakers.
"Playing against the full-strength Los Angeles Lakers, and it's a national broadcast, this counts as a big stage. I'm really looking forward to it!"
After the game, Kayce drove home. This time, the timing was good; thanks to the quick game, he could still have a late-night snack when he got home.
After arriving home, he first replied to the blessings from many fair-weather friends, then enjoyed a nice bath, and finally lay down on his soft, large bed.
"This is the life! Home games are the best; after the game, you go straight home to rest, comfortable!"
Kayce, feeling physically and mentally refreshed, slowly drifted into a dream.
In the Dream Training Space, Kayce called up the holographic projection of the control panel. Seeing the notification on the Achievement Room, he immediately put his hands on his hips and burst into laughter:
"Haha, I knew it! Getting triple-doubles helps upgrade badges!"
He quickly entered the Achievement Room and saw two upgraded silver badges. Kayce stepped forward and lightly touched them.
Achievement Badge [Gap Hunter]: 6 / 500
Increases the player's ability to create space against the opponent's defense, with a certain chance to draw fouls from defensive players.
Achievement Badge [Control Master]: 7 / 500
Increases the player's ability to break down opposing defenders, with a certain chance to make defensive players stumble.
These were two very practical badges, but they didn't directly increase his offensive aggressiveness. However, Kayce immediately thought:
"Drawing fouls? That's also a good offensive move, hehe, my free throw percentage isn't low!"