In the NBA = American professional basketball, Wizards of Rui Hachimura and Raptors of Yuta Watanabe will play against each other on the 21st, and both of them will stand on the court in the middle of the game, and the match between Japanese players for the first time in about two years will be realized in the NBA. Did.
On the 21st, in the match held in Washington, the home of Wizards, both Hachimura and Watanabe started from the bench.
With about four minutes remaining in the first quarter, the two of them participated in the middle of the game, and the match between Japanese players was realized for the first time in about two years at the NBA.
The two played twice two seasons before Watanabe was in the Grizzlies, one of which was on the court at the same time, but did not play in the same match last season.
In the match, when Watanabe matched up with Hachimura and reached the mark, there was also a scene where the two played one-on-one.
Hachimura scored points by shooting from a middle distance, which he is good at, and scored 8 points in the first half, and also decided a three-point shot in the third quarter in the second half.
Hachimura played the longest 19 minutes and 50 seconds this season, scoring 11 points, which is a double-digit score for three games in a row, and rebounded eight marks, the most this season.
On the other hand, Watanabe, who participated for the first time in three games, went down to the bench in the middle of the second quarter, did not score in the play of 5 minutes 47 seconds, and had two rebounds.
In the match, the Raptors won 109-105, with a total record of 22-21 and Wizards 23-23.
Hachimura "I'm proud that two Japanese people stood on the court"
After the match, Wizards player Yamura recalled, "The rhythm is gradually returning, and the technical aspects such as shoot touch are improving. It was a lot of fun to play in front of a lot of spectators."
And about the confrontation with Watanabe for the first time in about two years, "I was talking about wishing to match up when I greeted before the match, so I'm glad I was able to play for the first time in a long time. I'm proud of that, and I want to work hard and work hard. "
On the other hand, Raptors player Watanabe, who finished without a goal in about 6 minutes, said, "I'm glad I was able to hold one-on-one in the defense, but I was disappointed that I didn't have the opportunity to hold the ball at the right time in the offense. I haven't had a few games since I got infected and came back, so I want to regain my previous play and win the trust. "