However, the game did not lose suspense so quickly. In the few minutes when Nowitzki temporarily took a break, Monta Ellis saw that there was no hope of scoring inside and began to shoot frequently from the outside. Not to mention, he actually scored.
several.
A wave broke out with 2 of 4 shots, scoring 5 points in a row. Coupled with a corner three-pointer from Carter Senior, the Mavericks had an 8-2 spurt.
Then, with the explosion of the two, at 10 minutes and 25 seconds of the fourth quarter, the Mavericks tenaciously narrowed the point difference to within 5 points.
93:89, the Mavericks trailed by 4 points.
"When you get up there later, show me your defensive strength in the third quarter!"
Seeing that the Cowboys on the opposite side seemed to be getting ready to start, Terry Stotts quickly asked the Trail Blazers to regain their previous defensive state.
It is impossible for any team in the NBA to maintain high intensity and high-quality defensive focus for a regular 48 minutes. This is not an easy thing. Even the Spurs before 2007 and the early 2000s.
It is impossible for the five ordinary Pistons to maintain a top-notch defense that is superior to the league at all times...
If they can maintain high-intensity defense for 48 minutes in the playoffs, who can beat them?
This is simply unrealistic, so the Mavericks players can always find opportunities to take advantage of it and keep holding on to the score.
However, one of the hallmarks of a strong team is its ability to increase its intensity in an instant when it needs to improve its defense.
For example, this is a critical moment, and the current Blazers are fully capable of doing this!
"King, pay more attention to Dirk Nowitzki. He has rested for nearly half a quarter and his physical fitness has recovered. Now he must be thinking about how to harvest the game!"
Before taking the field, Terry Stotts warned carefully.
The main players of both sides returned to the field.
The pioneers attack first.
In the low post on the left wing, Wang Zelin and Aldridge made substitutions and took the initiative to find Nowitzki. The two had a fierce physical confrontation.
"Dirk, seeing that you rested for so long, I thought you wouldn't play again... You said you did the same. As an old man, no one will say anything to you even if you are wearing S on the court. Why do you always have to think about it?
"After saying that, Wang Zelin even laughed.
However, Nowitzki ignored him. Although he rested for a while, 35 years old is already a well-deserved senior age in the sports arena, and his recovery speed is far slower than that of young people. Nowitzki must ensure that every ounce of strength can be restored.
Serve for the last minute and a half of game time.
Nowitzki had seen many provocations like Wang Zelin's in his life, and he didn't bother to deal with him. You must know that before 2011, the provocations and ridicules he encountered far exceeded the former's imagination.
As far as Nowitzki's current state of mind is concerned, if he is really required to be like the Spurs No. 21 and remain unchanged throughout the game, he can do it.
At this time, Lillard passed the ball.
Wang Zelin caught the ball, turned around, and made an offensive move.
Nowitzki moved downward and was tied in front of Wang Zelin in advance.
However, Wang Zelin's attack was fake, but his pass was real. He raised his hand and threw it directly to Batum, who cut in from the right corner.
"Wonderful pass!"
the home announcer shouted loudly.
On the court, when Wang Zelin passed the ball, Nowitzki turned around and went straight to the basket.
Opposite him, Batum holds the ball and drives towards the basket.
A close-quarters situation was formed instantly.
If NBA dunkers are divided into two categories, one is those who take the flashy route, and the other is those who play violent style.
Among active players in the league, the representative figure of violent dunkers is none other than the "Little Emperor" LeBron James. His actual dunking ability is not only the best among current players, but also the strongest in NBA history.
The violent dunks behind James will be different in the hearts of fans, but no matter how you choose, Nicolas Batum is definitely one of the candidates.
After all, Batum has a perfect swingman height of 2.03 meters, and his rookie model is still Rudy Gay, which shows how explosive his physical talent is.
It just so happens that if we were to make a list of players who have been dunked in the league, the biggest player would be No. 21 of the Spurs, followed closely by, I believe many fans would vote for No. 41 of the Mavericks.
One side is a violent dunker, and the other is a regular on the dunk list. When the two meet, the outcome seems to have been predetermined.
In fact, this is also true.
The moment he came to the basket, Nowitzki regretted it, because he found that the Trail Blazers No. 28 on the opposite side was staring at him with a bloodthirsty look as if he had found his prey...
For some reason, Nowitzki's back began to feel cold subconsciously.
what is the reason?
The reason is...
"However, facing Nowitzki's defense, he chose to pass the ball. He chose to believe in his teammates... Oh, the ball is in Nicholas's hands, is he ready to attack the basket? Wait..." The voice of the home commentator paused.
After a moment, he said: "He took off?"
"One step away from the free throw line, at such a far position, our player No. 88 actually took off? What is he going to do? What is he going to do?"
"Oh ho ho ho! Dunk! He actually wants to dunk!!! My god! Will he succeed?"
Dunk??? This Frenchman actually chose to dunk... Shet, I knew it would be like this.
When Nowitzki saw it, his blood pressure suddenly rose and his anger soared.
This is a real long-distance dunk. In the NBA, it usually only occurs when no one is guarding or on a fast break. Otherwise, such a dunk is not only easily blocked by the inside defender, but also extremely dangerous.
There is a high risk of injury.
Therefore, under normal circumstances, long-distance dunking is not the attacker's best choice, but...
Once this kind of ball is scored, it will definitely be one of the top ten goals of the day! And the defensive player is destined to become a popular poster background board candidate this season.
If the person who dunks and the person being dunked are both well-known players, it is very likely that a long-lasting classic moment will be created, which will remain in the memory of the majority of fans, and even be recalled by fans from time to time.
Pictures from that year.
This chapter is not over yet, please click on the next page to continue reading! It must be said that Batum picked a good partner.
If it is a young player with a bad temper, no one will be able to endure such a "shame and humiliation", and 120% will risk being expelled and will violently stop him.
But the person who wants to dunk is No. 41 of the Mavericks. Regardless of his character or defensive ability, Nowitzki, who has averaged less than one block per game in his career and is quite famous, is a favorite among the league's dunkers.
Candidate.
"drink!"
In an instant, Batum grabbed the ball with one hand, slammed it into the basket, and pressed Nowitzki's head with the other hand.
"boom!"
With a roar, Batum completed a shocking dunk.
"oh!"
The Blazers' home arena instantly exclaimed, and countless people stood up.
"Fuck!"
Wang Zelin cursed.
Immediately afterwards...
Beep~
The referee's whistle blew and Nowitzki received another foul.
This is the sixth foul of the game!
On the sidelines, Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle angrily threw the tactical board to the ground.
The reason why Nowitzki rested for such a long time was not only due to physical problems, but more importantly, the number of fouls he committed had reached 5 times.
After all, it is not without reason that Wang Zelin has taken the initiative to find Nowitzki on the offensive end whenever he has the opportunity since the beginning of the game.
Five fouls is the price of defending Wang Zelin.
At this time, Nowitzki reacted and put his head in his hands. He was extremely annoyed and shouldn't have guarded this ball.
"yeah!"
The Trail Blazers bench was in a state of excitement, with white towels waving one after another.
The Mavericks' final hope for a comeback rests on Nowitzki. At this time, he left the game with six fouls, and the Mavericks' chances of a comeback are slim.
"Whoosh!"
Batum hit the extra free throw, and the Mavericks players turned pale again.
96:89, the Trail Blazers lead by 7 points.
"There is no hope! The fruits of victory were finally left in the Rose Garden Arena."
The home commentator concluded the game in advance.
Mavericks offense.
Without Nowitzki's inside restraint, the Blazers began to target Monta Ellis and Old Carter on the outside unscrupulously.
The Trail Blazers played excellent team defense in this round. Monta Ellis failed to make several breakthroughs and failed to pass the ball into the open space.
In the end, a hasty shot from outside the three-point line could only result in a blackout.
After this defense, the Mavericks players lost their spirits. Without Nowitzki, they had no leverage to compete with the Trail Blazers.
Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle surrendered directly and replaced the main players.
Terry Stotts was not that big-hearted, and there was only one minute left in the game, so he simply let Wang Zelin and others waste time until the game was over.
"Buzz buzz!"
The electronic buzzer symbolizing the end of the game sounded, and the game ended at 102:91. The Trail Blazers defeated the Mavericks with a double-digit score advantage.
Nowitzki played 35 minutes, made 13 of 20 shots, 7 of 8 free throws, and scored 33 points and 6 rebounds, which was very efficient.
However, 32 points were scored in the first three quarters. In the last quarter, Nowitzki only scored 1 point through free throws. When he came back, he had already committed six fouls and left the game. The 50-point dream that Mavericks fans and media reporters were looking forward to was shattered.
.
Monta Ellis made 8 of 22 shots, 3 of 4 free throws, and scored 24 points, 2 rebounds, and 3 assists. His performance was acceptable.
Here are the pioneers.
Wang Zelin played 40 minutes, making 15 of 19 shots and 8 of 11 free throws. He scored 38 points, 15 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 blocks and 5 fouls, and was awarded the best of the game.
Wang Zelin didn't take many shots in the last quarter, focusing most of his energy on the defensive end. The two blocks in a single quarter are the best proof, but he still scored 6 points on 3-of-3 shooting.
However, for the media, the mighty scoring battle between Wang Zelin and Nowitzki in the first three quarters made them excited, but it ended in an anticlimactic manner...
It always makes people feel like they have just taken off their pants, only to find out that the female ticket is coming.
"Wang, you clearly had a great chance to score 50 points tonight, but in the end you didn't even get 40 points. Do you regret this?"
Without asking about the game, a local reporter asked about Wang Zelin's scoring data.
Wang Zelin asked: "Regret? Why do you say that?"
"That's 50 points. You obviously have a chance..."
There is quite a feeling among local fans that they hate iron but cannot become steel.
"Haha," Wang Zelin interrupted the reporter and said: "I am a professional player. The most important thing is the beginning of the game. If one day I score 50 points and the team loses, then that will be the real thing."
Pity!"
As soon as these words came out, the teammates next to him and the fans who had not yet left the arena couldn't help but stand in awe.
Whether it's a scene or a sincere thought, Wang Zelin can openly express that between personal data and team victory, he cares more about the latter, which is an admirable thing.
More than once in the NBA, players have done ridiculous things that are laughable just for a rebound or an assist.
For example, throwing the ball to Ricky Davis who was trying to get a triple-double on his own backboard.
"OK, thanks!"
The local reporter suddenly felt as if the man in front of him was radiating light, and he couldn't help but feel guilty.
"Okay, next question."
Wang Zelin continued.
"Wang, first of all, I want to congratulate you. After winning against the Mavericks, the Trail Blazers' record has become 15 wins and 3 losses, and they continue to be ranked first in the Western Conference!"
A white female reporter from Sports Illustrated came forward and said.
"Thank you, my teammates and I will work hard."
"And just now there is news that the Pacers lost to the Oklahoma City Thunder 94:118 in an away game. At this time, the records of your two teams are already tied with the Pacers. You are sure to surpass the Pacers.
Return to the top spot in the league?"
"By the way, your next opponent is the Thunder."
Wang Zelin thought for a moment and smiled: "I can only tell you that my teammates and I are not afraid of any opponent. No matter which team we face, we are confident that we will fight him to the last minute."
"Wait, please answer my question directly."
A female reporter from Sports Illustrated asked.
Seeing that the microphone was about to reach his side, Wang Zelin was a little annoyed: "Since the outside world thinks that we were able to sweep the Thunder in the playoffs last season because Russell was missing, then please tell the Oklahomans with me, let
They clean their necks, Portland's iron heel is about to sweep into the Energy Arena!"
When reporters from various media outlets at the scene heard this sentence, their eyes suddenly lit up, big news was coming!
"Of course, I will personally tell you that Kevin and Russell won." A female reporter from Sports Illustrated laughed.
After finishing the on-site interview and taking a shower in the locker room, Wang Zelin and Terry Stotts attended the post-game press conference half an hour later.
At this time, a reporter stood up and said: "Wang, your interview just now has been sent to the Thunder, and Russell also gave a response."
"Oh, what did he say?" Wang Zelin asked.
"Ahem, he asked you to clean your butt. When he gets to the Energy Arena, he will definitely kick your butt!"
"Ho ho ho!"
The scene was suddenly filled with exclamations of exclamation!
The game between the Trail Blazers and Thunder will officially start in two days, and at this time, the core members of the two teams are already exchanging harsh words.
After taking a shower, Wang Zelin became less angry and laughed, "That's great. Let's wait and see what the game will be like in two days!"
