Chapter 236 The Second Battle of the Brave Horse (3)
The Lakers defeated the Thunder, and their opponent in last season's Finals, the Magic, also defeated the Bobcats.
Warcraft Howard only took 4 shots in the game and scored 4 points, but he got 9 blocks!
The Magic also won the game 98:89.
It was obvious that this was a hand-to-hand fight.
The Magic are at their most powerful when Howard doesn't care about his shot count and just defends with peace of mind.
So far, the first game of the first round has been played.
Except for the Suns, which defeated the Mavericks with their strong offensive power, the other top-ranked teams won the games.
On April 19, the second game of the first round begins.
Under the leadership of James, the Cavaliers defeated the young Bulls 112:102.
I don't know if he was stimulated by Curry, but James took 23 shots in the game and scored 40 points with extremely high efficiency.
This is also the second 40+ score after Curry in this year's playoffs.
Just winning is not enough, the data must also look good!
In another game on the same day, the Jazz defeated the Nuggets 114:111 on the road.
The knight finally showed his fangs.
Jerry Sloan’s title of tough coach is not just for boasting!
No matter how strong your offensive firepower is, I just want to fight you on the road and win a game!
There are four more games on April 20.
The Hawks defeated the Bucks without any suspense.
The Celtics also easily defeated the Heat.
The Suns, under the leadership of Nash, continued their miraculous performance and defeated the Mavericks on the road.
The defending champion Lakers continued to fight with the Thunder, and finally narrowly defeated the Thunder 95:92.
Players from both teams were restricted, and only the star players could score.
Durant scored 32 points and Kobe scored 39 points!
The two took almost the same number of shots, with Kobe taking 9 more free throws.
Obviously, Kobe has more experience.
Of course, there is also a home field advantage.
The key to the Lakers' victory was Gasol. He only took 14 shots and scored 25 points and 12 rebounds efficiently.
Although they won, the Lakers did not play easily.
Even in a defensive battle, the Thunder can't beat the Lakers!
It’s good to be young!
At 8 p.m. on April 21, the game between the Warriors and the Spurs started on time at Oracle Arena.
The Spurs' lineup is: Duncan, McDyess, Richardson, Ginobili and George Hill.
This is the starting line-up for the Spurs last game.
The Warriors' starting lineup remains unchanged, with Curry still playing five.
The winner remains the same, this has been true since ancient times.
After the last duel, we have become familiar with each other.
There is no secret between the two teams, and they are all at war with each other.
Warriors are all about offense!
If there is a chance to shoot decisively from the outside, if the Spurs dare to save, they will rush in!
Simple and effective!
The Spurs no longer have Duncan post up, but instead give the ball to Ginobili and George Hill to run pick-and-rolls.
It looks like nothing has changed from the last one, but it's actually not the case.
The Warriors obviously find it more difficult to attack.
Why?
The Spurs increase their physical confrontation!
Every time Lopez came up to cover, George Hill tried his best to grab it.
Either Lopez grinned after the collision, or George Hill fell to the ground.
It depends on whether the referee calls it or not!
If you don't blow it, just hit it like this.
Although Lopez's screen was in place, when Hill squeezed through like this, it was still a little difficult to succeed in the pick-and-roll.
In addition, once Hill was blocked, Duncan stepped forward and pressed hard, denying Curry a chance to shoot.
Even if Curry is a few meters away from the three-point line!
It's okay to break out, but it's impossible to shoot a three-pointer!
Of course, Duncan can take action even if he is so defensive against Curry.
But then the hit rate will drop a lot, so why bother!
It's obvious that the Spurs want Curry to break through.
If that's the case, then that's great!
It’s not like we can’t break out!
Do you really think that our ranking first in field goal percentage at the basket was bought with money?!
Curry began to continuously attack the inside.
Since the Spurs are so defensive, they must have been prepared for this.
McDyess's cover defense was even more fierce.
Even if Curry passes the ball, McDyess will hit him.
There is no way, I am just supplementing my defense, I am old and I can’t hold back...
In the first three minutes, Curry fell to the ground four times!
Fortunately, it was not like Curry had never seen this scene before. Although he fell to the ground several times, he was not afraid and rushed in as always.
In addition to increasing physical confrontation, the Spurs' rotations have also sped up a lot. The Warriors have no good opportunities on the outside and can only rely on Curry's breakthrough.
It is obvious that the Spurs have worked hard on defense in the past two days.
Offense requires talent, three-point shooting requires touch, and even playing from behind requires sufficient physical strength.
And these cannot be made up for in a short time for the aging Spurs.
Parker just doesn't have three-pointers, Ginobili's pull-up three-pointers are just not accurate, Jefferson can't make any shots this season, Duncan is old, and it's impossible to play singles in the paint continuously.
There is no way to change the offensive end, we can only work hard on the defensive end.
Compared to the offense, there is still more homework that can be done on the defensive end.
If the flanking attack doesn't work, switch to defense; if the switch of defense doesn't work, squeeze through; if it doesn't work...
Increase your physical resistance!
Why does everyone’s shooting percentage drop in the playoffs?
Because of the increased confrontation, ordinary referees will not call fouls.
The person guarding you is more active, and you will spend more energy on defense.
Without physical strength to guarantee, the hit rate will of course drop.
What if the confrontation is too big and someone gets hurt?
Then you can only be considered unlucky!
Being patient is also a talent in itself!
It is precisely for this reason that the number one player in the league has the confidence to look down on Curry.
With your small body, how many times can you withstand being hit?
It would be great if you can enter the NBA. Do you still want to compete with me for MVP?
Wherever you go!
That's my throne!
It is also because of Curry's weak body that every team wants to use Curry as a breakthrough.
On the offensive end, Curry's defenders kept coming up for pick-and-rolls, forcing Curry to switch defenses in front of his team's star players.
Even if he can't score, Curry's physical energy will still be consumed!
Fortunately, with Deng Fang here, Curry doesn't have to switch defenses every time.
Delay and then return quickly!
This is a must-do subject for every warrior training.
Give you a chance to make an emergency three-pointer. If you can make it, you are considered great!
I'm not afraid if I invest.
Anyway, Curry is a better shooter than you!
If you want Curry to switch defenses, it is impossible to consume Curry's physical strength.
After testing in the last game, the Spurs also understood that they could not make Curry consume more energy on the defensive end. All they could do was consume Curry on the offensive end.
The most lethal thing about the Warriors is their three-pointers. Curry's teammates' three-pointers are all reliable and can stand the test.
We can't let Lagabel and the others shoot three-pointers!
Is it okay to let them rush in?
no.
We are all NBA players, so there is no problem with unguarded breakthroughs.
Even with physical confrontation, it is difficult to avoid foul trouble.
One person commits two fouls. Everyone does not need to expend much energy, but the Spurs will have a foul crisis.
In that case it wouldn't be worth it.
As the saying goes, capture the thief first, and the best way is to target Curry!
