At 6 p.m., TD North Shore Garden Arena was surprisingly full for this game even though all major home stadiums in the United States were poorly attended.
"I have to say that because of Lin Yu, because of the battle between the Big Three last season, because of last season's shocking Eastern Conference Finals, and because of the opening game of this season, the popularity of this game is terrifyingly high!"
ESPN, which broadcast this game, did not expect that this game would be so popular, but the commentary team they sent was Mike Fratello and John Smith, who were not very popular.
"The Celtics want revenge, while the Cavaliers want to suppress the Celtics, who will always be the Big Three, forever."
"Both teams have had a crazy November, and their record performance in December is equally good, with the same 18 wins and 4 losses. This game will be completely decided."
The Celtics, who were playing at home, took the field first, and the entire TD North Shore Garden Arena cheered.
Then, when the away team came on the field, James and the others received a round of boos. When it was Lin Yu's turn, the North Shore Garden Arena suddenly became silent.
"It must be pointed out that in last season's playoffs, China Lin really succeeded in convincing the Celtics fans. At the scene, we also saw a group of fans who were still protesting against Danny Ainge's retention."
Danny Ainge is like a little kid. Although he was constantly questioned, he survived tenaciously.
Lin Yu was also surprised. He did not expect that the Celtics boss would be so determined to keep Danny Ainge to prove himself.
In this battle, the relationship between Lin Yu and the Celtics fans was complicated. It was certainly not bad, but they were already enemies, so it couldn't be said to be good.
His relationship with the Celtics players should also be discussed separately. He had a lot of verbal quarrels with Garnett, and his relationship was average. He was a direct competitor with Ray Allen, and his relationship was also average, but he had an average relationship with Pierce.
, Perkins has a very good relationship with his old teammates.
In the end, his relationship with the management and coach of the Kais team was bad, because Lin Yu, the management and coaches of the Kai team were almost all laid off.
Even Doc Rivers, who admires Lin Yu very much, is extremely jealous when he meets Lin Yu in this game.
"Laga, your task in this game is to lock down the Chinese Lin on the opposite side, do you understand?"
Laga Rondo nodded. After the opening game, this is the second time he and Lin Yu have played against each other in the new season. The difference from the first meeting is that Laga Rondo has now secured his place in the Celtics.
The location of the main control.
When introducing Laga Rondo before the game, Mike Fratello said this: "For the Celtics, who lost the opening game, their biggest discovery in November and the first half of December is probably
It’s Raja Rondo, this second-year point guard has amazing maturity, and his defense and passing make the Celtics system more complete.”
When the two teams started, Lin Yu saw Ray Allen standing in the second position of the Celtics and Laga Rondo, who successfully entered the starting lineup. He knew that in this game, his opponent would be Rondo.
Not Ray Allen, who is becoming increasingly marginalized in the Celtics.
With a beep, the referee blew his whistle and stood in the center of the court holding the basketball.
In the jump ball duel between Big Z and Kendrick Perkins, the two floor noobs pecked each other. Big Z, who has a huge height advantage, won and helped the Cavaliers get the ball in the opening game.
The Cavaliers were positioned in the frontcourt, and at the top of the arc, James took the opportunity to pass the basketball from Delonte West.
In the first attack of the opening game, James' single and a breakthrough were easily blocked by the Celtics' more mature defense.
In the subsequent pass, Lin Yu also ran for two circles before catching the ball.
The one who was clinging to him was Laga Rondo. Looking at the shoehorned face in front of him, the future Director Long, Lin Yu simply assumed a singles stance.
The Celtics also did not arrange any assisting defense. Tom Thibodeau's defensive arrangement was one-man-four defense, leaving Rondo to deal with Lin Yu alone.
There’s nothing to say, just do it and that’s it!
Lin Yu, who was holding the ball, took a tentative step directly, but failed to shake Rondo away. Without a chance to shoot, he broke through.
Rondo didn't expect to be able to completely lock Lin Yu. He quickly retreated, but he didn't expect that this breakthrough was actually a fake move.
Lin Yu took a small step forward, but Rondo retreated with great determination.
Then the next second, Lin Yu, who was in control of the ball, suddenly took the ball back, made a sudden stop, and then took a step back. The whole person instantly opened the gap with Rondo.
For this ball, Lin Yu was determined to open up the situation with his singles.
When he stopped outside the three-point line and made a pull-up jumper, Rondo could only stand one step away and watch the basketball pass over his head.
Whoosh!
The basketball hit the net with a bang, and the North Shore Garden Arena was filled with exclamations of surprise.
"He hit a three-pointer in a single at the beginning. Facing his old team, China Lin really showed no mercy! But I have to say that his condition is too good. Laga Rondo has been working very hard on defense.
But still couldn't stop him."
The Celtics' offense, controlled by Rondo, made a breakthrough. Although the Cavaliers have been winning streak, their new point guard Delonte West's defense has been questioned.
This time, facing the second-year point guard of his old club, he still failed to block the opponent's singles.
Fortunately, the Cavaliers' defensive rotation was quick and helped Delonte West solve this problem. Rondo's ball found Ray Allen.
Ray Allen had a chance to take a shot, and he shot it directly. Lin Yu's pounce back was an interference.
Bang, three points missed.
"If it was Lin, this goal must have been scored."
The home commentator at TD North Shore Garden Arena said a little sourly. The key is that there are still many fans who agree with him.
"This opportunity is good enough. Ray's performance is always like this. He is no longer a giant player. In any case, Danny Ainge made a big mistake. He traded away Lin and got a player who was
Lin is ten thousand times worse than thunder."
The Cavaliers grabbed the rebound and tried to counterattack.
The Celtics retreated very quickly, giving the Cavaliers no chance to counterattack.
LeBron James controlled the frontcourt and was a little confused when he saw the Celtics' heavy rotation defense. Obviously, when facing such an opponent, the breakout system would be ineffective. He could only try to cooperate with his teammates.
, using passes and pick-and-rolls to open up openings.
James' breakthrough was fruitless, and the basketball was transferred to Lin Yu's hands again.
Another one-on-one opportunity with Laga Rondo, Lin Yu was still very straightforward, continued to play singles, and hit hard!
He took a step forward, but Rondo hesitated and did not dare to retreat with all his strength.
Lin Yu accelerated with one step and passed him directly. When he reached the second step, he was already near the free throw line and took advantage of the situation to make a simple throw.
Whoosh!
The basketball got into the net!
"The throw hit, and Laga Rondo seemed a little confused. China Lin's singles made him unable to parry!"
During the two consecutive singles, Doc Rivers on the sidelines suddenly became a little anxious. He thought that maybe the rotating defense in the middle could not stop James' impact, or that Lin Yu on the weak side could face the defense and make consecutive long shots.
.
He didn't expect that Lin Yu could actually score points with fancy singles.
And this is thanks to the two series last season. Against the Celtics, Lin Yu used the characteristics of Curry and Klay Thompson, and the experience cards of James and Wade.
When playing against the Spurs, Lin Yu used Durant's special effects card and another James experience card.
This resulted in him being particularly proficient in some of James' offensive skills, and also familiar with some of Wade, Durant, Curry and Klay Thompson's offensive skills.
The first two goals in this game, the step-back three-pointer came from Durant, and the floater while running with the ball came from Curry.
He also has a variety of pull-up shots, as well as various catch-and-shoot shots, or layups or dunks after forcing a breakthrough. It's just that his layups or dunks are a bit lame, and he doesn't have great opportunities.
It will not be taken out and used.
After Lin Yu succeeded in two consecutive singles, the Celtics' offense still failed to score a goal.
Obviously, compared to the beginning of the season, this Celtics only solved their defensive problems, but the offense is still a mess.
The Cavaliers' offense finally lost one. It was rare that James' breakthrough was not flanked, but he made a mid-range shot and hit the iron hard.
Garnett grabbed the rebound and the Celtics continued to suppress the rhythm.
Advancing into the frontcourt and continuing to score, they handed the ball to Pierce.
"The Celtics have given up on the idea of seeking tactical coordination to score. They handed the ball to Pierce. Pierce's singles, back-ups, and turn-over jump shots!"
"Finally, the ball went in!"
Pierce's single and turnaround jump shot helped the Celtics score 2 points, and the game continued at 2:5 of the opening period.
James continues to break through in isolation. The Celtics seem to have changed their defensive strategy. Their cover and assist defense will start from deeper. Therefore, when James breaks into the mid-range, it is still one-on-one.
Lin Yu did have some clues. Tom Thibodeau noticed that Lin Yu had scored 5 points in a row in the opening game and was in a hot state. He immediately understood that Lin Yu could not be let go.
In contrast, James's long-distance shots were so eye-catching that he simply pulled the defense in, leaving part of his defensive power to deal with Lin Yu.
But this time, James, who was in the middle distance, didn't shoot, but continued to penetrate deep with a very stubborn head.
It wasn't until he was attracted to a double attack that he scored and found Big Z under the basket. The aging Big Z's tactical status within the Cavaliers has been getting lower and lower year by year. This year, he is almost just a human shield.
But as a human shield, after receiving the ball, he still raised his hand and sent the basketball into the basket.
Seeing that James had no intention of passing the ball outwards, Lin Yu, who was delicate and sensitive, knew that James might have been wary of him.
Compared with November, James in December preferred to use his breakthroughs and passes to drive all his teammates after the team opened up the situation.
Lin Yu's possession of the ball was visibly reduced.
However, the Cavaliers' state was also a bit poor in December. Many games were played against the wind, and even at critical moments, Lin Yu could only rely on his singles to help the Cavaliers win.
This is why his efficiency dropped a lot in December.
It can only be said that this time, James is smarter. He understands the importance of the team's victory and knows how to reasonably fight for the ball.