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Chapter 283: Thunder vs Knicks 2
🕑 Added 2025-08-06 11:34:50 +0000 UTCKevin Durant and Tony Allen had met on the court 24 times by now, including some playoff clashes.
In the regular season, Durant put up a solid average against Tony: 26.4 points, 8.1 rebounds, 3.4 assists, shooting 45.2% from the field. But when it came to playoff intensity, while KD’s scoring ticked up to 27.9 per game, his efficiency dipped — just 42.8% from the floor.
And when Tony Allen got extended minutes? Durant’s numbers took a beating. In the 2012-13 and 2013-14 playoffs, with Tony in full defensive pitbull mode, Durant’s shooting plummeted to a nightmarish 23.8%.
That was the Tony Allen effect — the guy was relentless. A full-court shadow. A professional pest. The kind of defender who didn’t just guard you — he wore you like a second skin.
Lin Yi understood all of this, which is exactly why he was so calm last night when talking with Olsen. This Knicks squad? Their defensive ceiling was even higher than the Grit-and-Grind Grizzlies. And Lin had a plan.
And speaking of Olsen…
Lin Yi unconsciously brushed his fingers across his cheeks during warmups, recalling that unexpected kiss.
Elizabeth Olsen, sitting courtside, caught the gesture and immediately ducked her head, cheeks reddening.
...
Game time.
The lights were blazing. The crowd was roaring.
Thunder vs. Knicks— one of those matchups that drew everyone’s attention.
Barkley and Kenny Smith had already picked up on something.
“Thunder’s lineup is standard,” Kenny noted. “Ibaka, Jeff Green, KD, Sefolosha, Westbrook.”
“But the Knicks made some changes,” Barkley added. “Tyson Chandler at center, Lin Yi at the four, Tony Allen starting at the three, with Danny Green and Livingston in the backcourt.”
Danilo Gallinari was coming off the bench tonight.
Lin had pitched the adjustment to Coach D’Antoni before tip-off.
“Danny’s lateral movement is quick. We can sag off Sefolosha a bit — let him take those low-percentage threes. If Durant gets hot, Danny and Tony can pinch him. Cut off the oxygen.”
Sefolosha was shooting just 27.5% from deep that season. A bit like a prototype version of Andre Roberson — not a real threat outside.
D’Antoni agreed. Danny Green wasn’t flashy, but he was solid: 6.8 points in under 15 minutes a game, with a clean 41.2% from three. Smart, disciplined, reliable.
“Feels like the Knicks are looking to suffocate Durant early,” Kenny said.
“Might be the best way to throw off OKC’s rhythm,” Barkley replied. “You take away KD, you force the rest to do the heavy lifting.”
...
Jump ball. Game on.
Lin Yi won the tip over Ibaka, and the Knicks went to work.
Jeff Green was guarding Lin. Lin tried a quick spin on the block — missed the first shot, but kept active. Durant cleaned up the rebound on the other end, adrenaline pumping.
But he didn’t notice right away — Tony Allen had already latched onto him like a shadow.
Durant glanced over and blinked.
Wait, the Knicks are throwing Tony Allen on me from the jump?
He didn’t say anything. Just raised his eyebrows and jogged upcourt.
Sure, Allen was tough. But Durant had the height and length advantage. More polished on offense. He figured he could just shoot over the top whenever he wanted.
So Durant ran off a screen and called for the ball.
But Westbrook didn’t pass.
Not because he didn’t want to — Durant wasn't open.
Tony Allen had cut off the passing lane. His timing, his angle, the footwork — textbook. Durant tried again, running another pattern. This time, Ibaka came over to set a high screen.
Allen slipped under it like he’d seen it coming a mile away. Back in position, again clogging Durant’s zone. Every time Durant tried to catch, Allen was already there — hands up, body close, feet moving.
By the time KD finally got a touch, there were only 7 seconds left on the shot clock.
He tried a quick crossover into a pull-up.
Allen lunged.
The ball was nearly stripped — Durant recovered it, but had to force a contested jumper.
Clang.
Off the rim. Out of bounds.
Buzzer. 24-second violation.
The Garden crowd exploded.
Lin Yi pulled Danny Green aside during the stoppage.
“Forget Sefolosha’s cuts — just stay alert. If Tony gets picked off, step in. Harass Durant every time. Force him to give it up.”
Double coverage. Extra pressure. Durant was used to being defended, but tonight was going to test his patience.
...
Back on offense, Lin bullied Jeff Green on the block again. Faked once, then twice, got Green off balance, and nailed a fadeaway.
MSG erupted. Even Scarlett and Elizabeth stood up, clapping.
"Let's Go Knicks!"
"Let's Go Knicks!"
"Let's Go Knicks!"
Durant, meanwhile, tried to answer.
He missed again. Another long pull-up that rattled out.
Lin, watching from the wing, was quietly taking mental notes. Tony’s defense wasn’t just about brute force — it was in the angles, the anticipation, the ability to wear down a scorer’s rhythm before they even touched the ball.
“I’ve got to study this guy more,” Lin thought. “Tony’s the kind of defender who messes with your confidence before the shot goes up.”
...
Next Knicks possession, Lin posted up again.
Ibaka came for the double.
But Lin had already seen it coming — a no-look bounce pass between Sefolosha’s legs to Tyson Chandler, cutting hard.
Slam!
“Lin’s got eyes in the back of his head!” Kenny shouted.
“That’s wizardry,” Barkley added. “He passed that without even looking. That’s court vision on another level.”
"Go NY Go!" The Garden crowd chanted in unison.
Durant finally knocked down a shot on the next trip, but by then, the Knicks had momentum.
Tony Allen’s confidence was through the roof. He wasn’t showboating — just intense, laser-focused. Every time Durant touched the ball, Tony was in his shirt.
..
Kenny Smith glanced at the stat monitor.
“Durant’s forcing it. He’s letting this Lin vs. KD narrative get to him.”
“And people forget,” Barkley added, “Lin’s impact isn’t just buckets. He’s rebounding, facilitating, drawing doubles — he’s doing everything.”
Durant didn’t hear the commentary, but he didn’t need to.
He could feel it.
Tony Allen wasn’t just defending him — he was disrupting everything. And every time Lin Yi made a flashy play, the crowd roared a little louder. The lights felt a little hotter. And Kevin’s teammates started looking elsewhere for offense.
Durant clenched his jaw.
No way I'll let that guy show me up, he thought.
But with Tony Allen stuck to him like glue and Lin Yi playing the game like a conductor with a basketball baton, that night at the Garden was already slipping away.
