If Billups' defense against Chen Jie just now was considered excellent, then Chen Jie's defense against Billups this time can definitely be described as perfect.
Even though Rasheed Wallace helped Billups pick and roll, Billups still couldn't get past Chen Jie.
At this moment, Billups not only had no chance to break through, he even had no space to shoot. Chen Jie's pressure even made Billups stop dribbling.
This time on defense, Chen Jie has reached the limit of what he can do.
It can be said that throughout the entire game, Chen Jie was never at a disadvantage in his battle with Billups. Even the best defense between the two was the same.
Because the attack time was already limited by Billups. At this moment, seeing that the attack time was getting shorter and shorter, and it was impossible for his teammates to come up to respond, Billups could only reluctantly take action.
It can be said that Chen Jie's task has been completed. Billups reluctantly took the shot and didn't even touch the basket.
As long as the Bulls grab this rebound, at least they can push it into overtime.
Just now, Chen Jie's offense failed to score, and now, Billups's offense also failed to score.
At the critical moment, the two people were still tied. And the situation on the field was just like the contest between the two people, it was a tie.
The Pistons and Bulls are tied.
Logically speaking, this should be the case.
However, an accident happened at this time.
Chen Jie's shot didn't go in, and Billups' shot didn't go in either. These are the same. But the difference is that Billups had help from his teammates, but Chen Jie didn't.
After Billups's three-point shot fell, Prince actually took control of the basketball.
At this time, there were only three seconds left in the game.
Prince swatted the ball, turned over, and hooked.
The moment he shot the ball, the end of the game bell rang at the same time.
Under everyone's gaze, Prince's hook hit the net.
The fans at the United Center who were cheering for Chen Jie's successful defense instantly fell silent.
Silence, deathly silence.
And a moment later, Prince roared wildly and rushed out of the three-second zone.
He killed it, he killed it!
The Pistons win!
Rasheed Wallace, Ben Wallace, Hamilton, and Billups raised their arms at the same time and rushed towards Prince excitedly.
Fans on the Pistons bench also rushed up one by one and hugged Prince.
They celebrated this somewhat bizarre victory crazily.
In sharp contrast to the madness of the Pistons is the silence on the Bulls' side.
In other words, it was Chen Jie and others who looked dull.
How, how is it possible?
Prince, he actually killed us? He didn't even leave us a second?
Did our entire efforts just come to nothing?
The Bulls players still can't believe what is happening in front of them.
However, the excited cheers of the Pistons players were within earshot, and the scoreboard on the big screen clearly recorded the scores of the two teams.
Everything is not an illusion, everything is real.
Really, we lost!
We lost to the Pistons!
Even if we try so hard, we can't win, right?
Chris Duhon looked at the Pistons players in disbelief. Chandler lowered his head and didn't know what he was thinking. Noccioni's face was dull. Griffin had just failed to guard Prince's last ball.
There was a heavy look of guilt on his face.
And Chen Jie, the core of the Bulls, had just successfully guarded against Billups. At this moment, he looked at the Pistons' crazily celebrating crowd with somewhat confused eyes.
His eyes were very complicated, containing pain, dissatisfaction, and a hint of admiration.
Maybe what Chen Jie was thinking was that he was worthy of last year's championship, and he could beat us even though we tried so hard.
Maybe what Chen Jie was thinking was, if I was given another minute, the result of the game would definitely not be like this!
Maybe what Chen Jie was thinking was, how could this happen, that we lost to the Pistons like this, and that our efforts were in vain.
No matter what Chen Jie was thinking, the result was that he scored 41 points and failed to lead the Bulls to continue their winning streak.
They lost to the Pistons at home at the United Center, almost their first loss in nearly a month.
This feeling has been long gone.
Billups was ultimately elected the best player of the game, and the Bulls soldiers returned to the locker room one by one with their heads down.
Chen Jie wiped the corners of his eyes, wondering if he was crying.
However, when he came off the field, hearing the applause from the fans at the United Center, Chen Jie's eyes really became a little moist.
Scales was walking behind Chen Jie. Looking at Chen Jie's slightly lonely back, Scales wanted to step forward to comfort him, but he didn't know what to say.
At this moment, Scales was also somewhat lacking in language.
Facing failure, and failure at such a critical moment, is easier said than done.
Skiles still believes in his boys. They are all professional players and maybe they will come out the next day.
But tonight, they are probably going to have a somewhat painful night.
Returning to the relatively luxurious home team locker room at the United Center, none of the players went to change clothes or take a shower. They all sat silently in front of their closets, and no one spoke.
This silence is exactly the same as during halftime.
But at that time, Skiles' scolding rekindled the fighting spirit of the Bulls players, but now, can Skiles still have a way to appease these players?
Failure, in fact, happens very often in this league. The Bulls have failed off the court more than ten times now.
Even Chen Jie has experience of failure.
However, although everyone has experienced and faced failure, when it comes to facing it again, no one can maintain a normal heart.
Skiles is actually very happy to see the current state of the Bulls boys.
At least, they're not numb yet.
At least, judging from their looks, they don't like failure.
In this way, the Bulls still have a bright future.
Failure is not scary. What is scary is that after failure, you no longer pursue victory at all, but accept the fate of failure calmly.
Thinking of this, Scales had a smile on his face.
In fact, he was also disappointed with the failure of this game. Of course he hopes to defeat the Pistons and let the Bulls lead the Eastern Conference alone.
Moreover, you know, the All-Star Game is coming soon. If the Pistons win this game, maybe Skiles will still be able to become an All-Star coach in the Eastern Conference.
Commanding a group of superstars is challenging for every coach?
But now, they lost to the Pistons, and all that has naturally become a luxury.
But even so, Scales allowed himself to laugh.
"Okay, boys, don't hang your head here. You played well tonight!"
Scales encouraged.
"But we still lost!" Chris Duhon muttered.
"You are already amazing to be able to fight to the last second with last year's championship team, the Detroiters, who were able to defeat even the luxurious Lakers 4-1. You don't need to be sad. This is not the end of the world. We still have many opportunities.
Go get revenge!" Scales continued after hearing Chris Duhon's words.
Lots of opportunities for revenge?
Hearing these words, Chen Jie's eyes lit up.
That's right, we have played against the Pistons four times this season, and this is the first time, and there are still three more.
We still have a chance to take revenge!
Moreover, maybe we will meet again in the playoffs, so there will be more opportunities.
Thinking of this, the defeat on Chen Jie's face disappeared in an instant, and was replaced by a strong fighting spirit.
"This is just an ordinary regular season game. We lost to them, but we also played very well. So, boys, there is no need to be sad!"
The arrangement of Skiles's words actually made the Bulls players feel a little better.
The expressions on their faces also look much better. (To be continued...)
ps: Updates have been very late these days, try to code early tomorrow...
