Chapter 307 The Third Battle of the Western Finals (2)
On the night of May 20, the second game of the series between the Cavaliers and Magic also started.
In the last game, due to a long break, the Magic were caught off guard by the Cavaliers and ultimately lost.
The Magic was very well prepared for this game.
Although James performed well at the Cavaliers' home court, the Magic's defense was airtight and it was difficult for James' teammates to score.
Magic coach Van Gundy still has something.
Last year's Eastern Conference Finals were these two teams. In the end, the Magic eliminated the Cavaliers with a score of 4:2.
Although the Magic left Turkoglu in the offseason and the Cavaliers also recruited many talented players to join the team, the core players of the two teams have not changed.
The Magic still have Howard as the core, and the Cavaliers are still led by James.
Even the No. 2 players on both teams have not changed. The Magic are still Nelson, and the Cavaliers are still Mo Williams.
So the Magic have a psychological advantage when facing the Cavaliers.
James' strongest point is his ability to break through and distribute the ball, but the Magic have the best interior defender in the league in Howard, so the Magic are more defensive than the Cavaliers.
The Magic did a very good job on the defensive end in this game. The outside was airtight and the inside was strong. It was very difficult for the Cavaliers to score.
James had three big blocks in the first quarter of the game!
How can it be said that Howard is also the only one in the league who can replace James alone!
Let’s not talk about the role on the offensive end, but Howard’s role on the defensive end is very powerful!
James's sudden attack was ineffective, and neither was O'Neal's isolation.
When you are old, you cannot rely on your muscles and bones for strength. No matter how impressive you are when you are young, you will no longer be able to rely on your muscles and bones when you are older.
O'Neal's efficiency when playing alone against Howard is also very low.
Fortunately, Mo and O'Neal's pick-and-roll can still score some points.
Although it is difficult for the Cavaliers to score, it is not easy for the Magic to score either.
The Cavaliers' defense is still very good.
After the first quarter, the two teams tied at 15:17, with the Cavaliers trailing by two points!
In the second quarter, taking advantage of Howard's rest time, James started scoring on the court.
This was originally substitute time, but Mike Brown replaced James early in the first quarter and replaced James at the beginning of the second quarter.
O'Neal is away, Jamison plays center, and the Cavaliers are shooting from all directions.
This kind of lineup is especially suitable for James.
There are four shooters outside, James can just rush in!
Although the Cavaliers' lineup is not very defensive, its scoring efficiency is still very high.
The two teams started an offensive battle.
A few minutes later, Howard came on the court. At this time, both teams felt that their shots were open, and the rhythm of the game was still very fast.
In the end, the two teams battled to a score of 42:41 at halftime, with the Cavaliers leading by 1 point.
In the second half, the two teams began to fight hand-to-hand again, and it was difficult for each other to score.
But in this case, the Cavaliers will have an advantage.
When neither side can open up the situation, it depends on the ability of the star player.
However, Magic boss Howard is a defensive player and does not play much offensive role.
Howard's alley-oop dunk after the pick-and-roll is indeed very good, but that depends on the strength of the defender.
Defenders are annoyed when they are unable to attract a double attack, or when they are unable to pass the ball after being attracted by a double attack.
But this trouble does not exist on the knight's side.
James is an offensive player with the ball.
Although James' shooting is average compared to Kobe and Curry, he is still an outside player after all!
Mid-range shots, breakthroughs, and the occasional three-pointer are all no problem for James.
The most important thing is that James' passing is very good!
Throughout NBA history, James' passing vision is top-notch!
This is a world of difference from Howard!
James felt good in the second half and made three consecutive three-pointers when the team could not score!
Relying on James' fiery touch, the Cavaliers widened the point difference to 8 points.
However, the Magic's outside line is not a vegetarian either.
The Magic's lineup is also full of stars, with Howard leading the way inside and four shooters outside.
Two three-pointers were returned in response, and the point difference between the two teams was reduced to 3 points.
The competition was very fierce.
Because of James' hot touch, the Magic didn't dare let him shoot anymore, so the defenders spread out a lot.
Suddenly James got a good breakthrough space.
James' breakthrough ability is still very powerful.
Especially at the Cavaliers home court!
Godfather Stern is not all talk and no practice!
Historic physical fitness, strong breakthrough ability, coupled with the referee's care, once James feels good, who can prevent James' breakthrough?
nobody!
James continued to break into the paint and draw fouls, and Howard's fouls soon reached 5.
There is no way, Howard must come off the court and rest.
Once Howard comes off the court, the Magic are even less able to guard James.
The score difference instantly widened to more than 10 points.
Soon, at the end of the third quarter, the score between the two teams became 72:60!
Playing at home and leading by double digits, the morale of the Cavaliers players is even higher.
After 5 minutes of play in the fourth quarter, the score difference reached 20 points.
The game has also become garbage time.
In the end, the Cavaliers won the game 101:82.
The big score in the series also became 2:0!
The first place in the East and West won two games in a row and defeated the second place.
The possibility of the Cavaliers and Warriors meeting in the Finals is getting more and more likely.
At 8 pm on May 21, the third game of the series between the Warriors and the Lakers started on time at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.
Since the start of the playoffs, the Lakers have never lost a game at home!
It is for this reason that although the Lakers have lost two games in a row, many people still believe in the Lakers.
Lakers fans were still very enthusiastic and filled the Staples Center.
Before the game, various media outlets also did their best to build momentum for this game:
Can the defending champion return to home court and pull things back?
There are very few teams that come back from 0:2 behind. Can the defending champion succeed in counterattacking?
Can the undefeated Staples Center bring good luck to the Lakers?
Can the new Warriors conquer Staples Center?
If the Warriors win another victory, the Lakers will be in deep despair!
When being interviewed by reporters after the last game, Deng Fang was of course not polite. He boasted nonsense and made lies all over the place.
Deng Fang also worked hard for his ability.
But bragging is bragging, and Deng Fang was very cautious after coming down.
Whether it's training or a pre-game pep rally, Deng Fang always looks serious and keeps telling his players: "Play with the mentality of competing with your opponents!"
"The Lakers are the defending champions! We still have nothing!"
"This is Staples Arena, and the Lakers have yet to lose at home in the playoffs this year!"
"The intensity of this game will be beyond imagination!"
"The Lakers will not admit defeat, and the referees will not help us. We can only win by ourselves!"
"Don't be afraid of confrontation, don't be afraid of getting hurt!"
"Go ahead and fight bravely. If you get hurt, I'll be there for you!"
