Pick Westbrook

Chapter 418 Both of them are very good

In the post-match interview.

A reporter asked: "This is the Heat's first loss since the playoffs this season. Has the Pelicans found a way to beat the Heat?"

Eric Spoelstra repeatedly shook his head in denial and said, "No!"

"The Heat's system is perfect, all positions are balanced offensively and defensively, we just lost to ourselves."

The reporter frowned and continued: "But everyone has seen it. The Heat were beaten by the Pelicans in the third quarter with a score of 36:25 in a single quarter."

"We all know that the Heat are the best team in the league in the third quarter. Why did they lose to the Pelicans?"

James took the microphone and said: "We just didn't play well, I didn't play better, Jimmy Butler and Leonard's defense gave me a lot of pressure."

"The responsibility for the third quarter is mine, not the team."

但今晚这场比赛詹姆斯20投10中，已经打出了27分8篮板7助攻的表现，他已经做好了自己。

Wade also stood up and said: "We didn't give Zhan Zhan more support, and the Heat will play better in the next game."

这场比赛韦德的发挥的确有些不佳，18投8中，21分6篮板3助攻。

If it is against other teams, the performance of Wade and James is enough to win a game, but this Pelicans can't.

The good media reporters did not intend to let the Heat go, and continued to ask: "We saw Mr. Pat Riley sitting next to the Heat's coaching staff."

"Has he provided many constructive suggestions for the team?"

Erik Spoelstra immediately denied it, saying: "If you don't say I don't know he's sitting next to me, it's just a spectator."

The news of the Heat's first defeat has spread throughout the United States and even made headlines. Reporters wanted to interview Pat Riley who was watching the game, but they couldn't find him.

Apparently, Pat Riley was gone the first time the game ended.

Most restaurants in New Orleans.

The fans here do not have the joy after the team's first victory. Most of them have already resigned to their fate. This is a succumbing to the injustice of fate for decades.

"The Pelicans can't win a championship, and they definitely won't."

"It's been that way for years."

5 month 30 day.

Game [-] of the Finals series.

The Pelicans host the Heat.

Slightly different from the last game, Wade and James both attacked very aggressively in the first quarter, and almost every ball hit the basket.

Eric Spoelstra thought that by relying on the onslaught of the first quarter to establish a lead, he could beat the Pelicans in the subsequent games.

But what he didn't expect at all was that after Wade and James successfully hit the basket for the first time, the Pelicans immediately matched this intensity.

Leonard and Jimmy Butler surrounded James and Wade on the inside, and Mario Chalmers and Chris Bosh on the outside had shooting opportunities one after another.

Chris Bosh made 4 of 2 shots and Mario Chalmers hit two three-pointers in the first quarter.

The Pelicans paid the price for defending Wade and James, but the Pelicans' defense on the field became more and more fierce.

When Wade made a European layup, Jordan directly blocked the opponent from the air. James hit the basket and was blocked by Anthony Davis and Jordan.

"In the past, those players who defended James and Wade inside would always give the opponent a chance to shoot, causing James and Wade to play 2+1."

"Now this Pelican team obviously won't make such a mistake. Their defense is suffocating. Wade and James didn't have a chance to shoot and were blocked in the air."

"What is top defense, this is top defense."

"We can always trust the Pelicans on the details of defense."

After the first quarter, the Pelicans fell behind 23:25.

In the second quarter, James continued to lead the team to play.

Li Lai still followed the strategy of the previous game, letting Leonard and Jimmy Butler defend James separately. He thought that such a defense would always bring some restrictions to the opponent.

As a result, during a layup, James tied Jimmy Butler to force a layup and scored a 2+1 success.

"This is the first 2+1 game scored by the Heat since the series, and it came from James' tank layup after the fast break."

"Jimmy Butler's defense is also tough enough. Seeing that he can't keep up with James, he directly hangs the opponent's shoulder from behind and pulls down."

"The key is to defend like this, and it hasn't been pulled down yet."

On the CCTV commentary station, Yu Jia and Su Qun were almost dumbfounded.

Yu Jia said excitedly: "Is this still a human being!"

"It's still the eternal question, who is he, where is he from, and what is he going to do."

"LeBron James, a player who gives opponents a headache."

This failed to prevent the ball, and Jimmy Butler sighed with his hands on his hips.

Li Lai adjusted the substitutions, took Leonard in advance, and replaced Jimmy Butler, who had committed 3 fouls because of defending James.

James walked to the free throw line and looked at Leonard who was walking onto the court from the direction of the technical table. He couldn't help frowning.

"Damn, it's this guy again."

On-site commentary desk.

Kenny Smith gave a statistic and said: "So far, James has taken a total of 32 shots and drawn 11 fouls."

"Among them, under Jimmy Butler's defense, James made 17 of 9 shots and drew 6 fouls."

"Under Leonard's defense, James made 15 of 6 shots and drew 5 fouls."

"To be honest, Leonard is a better candidate to defend James, both in terms of statistics and performance on the court."

"He has a physical gift that Jimmy Butler doesn't have, and hard work can't make up for it."

On the bench.

Jimmy Butler heard Kenny Smith's on-site commentary. He blamed himself and threw the towel handed over by the staff on the ground.

"Fuck!"

Jimmy Butler couldn't help but swear, not only to James, but also to himself.

At this time a hand appeared in front of Jimmy Butler, he picked up the towel and put it on Jimmy Butler's shoulder.

"Are you throwing in the towel, Jimmy?"

Butler raised his head and saw the coach's serious gaze, he shook his head firmly and said.

"The blue beast of the Pelicans will never disappear, he will transform into a new red beast to shock the world!"

on the field.

Leonard's playing put more defensive pressure on James, but turning around Leonard did not complete Jimmy Butler's task.

Leonard is more suitable for individual singles attacking the city, he does not have the ability of Jimmy Butler to pass the ball.

So after James failed to score in three consecutive singles, the entire offensive system of the Pelicans stagnated.

The Heat took advantage of the heat to take Wade.

Li Lai immediately made adjustments and replaced him, taking Jimmy Butler and partnering with Leonard.

With Jimmy Butler on the court, Leonard can finally breathe a sigh of relief. He doesn't have to worry about passing the ball anymore, he can just focus on his defense and singles.

The game continues.

Eric Spoelstra is looking forward to the next scene on the court. He firmly believes that the Heat will continue to widen the point difference during this time period and win tonight's game in one fell swoop.

beep!beep!
A sudden whistle on the court caught Erik Spoelstra's attention.

Jimmy Butler rushed to the basket with flexible feet and even made James a foul.

Eric Spoelstra quickly looked at the statistics board, James accumulated 2 fouls, okay.

Jimmy Butler made two free throws.

Then there was Jimmy Butler's singles with the ball. This time he missed James' defense through the pick-and-roll, and still hit the basket.

A penalty kick in the paint made James a defensive foul again.

Now James quit, and went directly to the referee for an explanation.

"Blow this, blow that, he still can't touch it?"

The referee looked at James speechlessly. He really wanted to say that James and Wade are the players who have won more whistles in this round of the series.

James, who played for a long time, was taken off the court by Eric Spoelstra, and Bosh and other main players played one after another.

Li Lai still kept Jimmy Butler and Leonard, and deployed shooters like JR Smith and Diaw on the outside.

After Jimmy Butler ate James, he continued to eat Mike Miller, making consecutive fouls or layups and mid-range hits.

Eric Spoelstra looked at Jimmy Butler, who was inexplicably explosive, and had to completely disrupt the substitution plan, and at this time he took the better defensive Shane Battier on the court.

In the face of Sean Battier's defense, Jimmy Butler continued to force!

First, he made a forcibly lean-back shot from the middle distance, then went to the basket and scored a layup, and then turned around and made a layup after entering the penalty area again to make a foul.

Shane Battier is very experienced in pushing Jimmy Butler off the court when he turns for a layup.

Either don't foul, as long as there is a foul, never give the opponent a chance to easily score 2+1.

Jimmy Butler, who had been fighting continuously, was pushed directly onto the billboard by this push. He took advantage of the situation and lay down on the billboard, took a few breaths, and then shouted.

"Come on!"

The second quarter is over.

Jimmy Butler forcibly carried the Pelicans alone, making 11 of 6 shots and 8 of 6 free throws.

18 points, 3 rebounds and 2 assists in a single quarter.

The Pelicans overtook the score 55:52.

The third quarter of the game.

The Heat finally managed to hit their own wave in the third quarter.

They made very important changes in this quarter of the game, activating Birdman Anderson to stay on the court, allowing him and Bosh to form an inside defense together, and focusing on defending Pelicans' Anthony Davis.

"Jordan's offense is very rough. Unless there are teammates feeding the ball, it is difficult for him to score the ball with his own ability."

"Even against Bosh who isn't very good defensively."

"The Heat's tactical adjustments are very targeted. Anthony Davis is a rookie this year. When facing the Heat's double-teaming and frequent physical confrontation, his ability to handle the ball is not particularly satisfactory."

In the third quarter of the game, Wade succeeded in countering the fast break 4 times alone, and the Heat took the lead with 80:77.

The fourth quarter decisive battle.

Jimmy Butler, who played efficiently in the second quarter, continued to challenge the Heat's defense in this quarter like a tireless fighter.

James and Wade have already tried to switch on Jimmy Butler, but they were still dominated by the opposing team tonight.

Barkley couldn't help but praised and said: "Jimmy Butler doesn't jump high, his wingspan is not long, and his speed is not fast. Even his singles skills are not as good as Leonard on the same team."

"But he is hard-working, smart enough, has a high basketball IQ, and is very experienced in handling the ball. He doesn't look like a novice at all."

"What's more important is that he has a ruthless spirit on the court, and he will not admit defeat to anyone."

"It doesn't matter if you are LeBron James, it doesn't matter if you are the recognized No.1 in the league, I play No.1 in the league."

This kind of character and temper also reminded Barkley of a good friend and the biggest opponent of his career.

"Jimmy Butler's temperament is exactly the same as that old hooligan."

In the last minute of the fourth quarter, the Pelicans overtook the score 1:100.

In the final battle, Leonard steals Wade and successfully caused a mistake by the opponent. James breaks through and points the ball to Mario Chalmers, who feels good on the outside tonight, and the opponent misses a three-pointer.

Missing two consecutive offenses also allowed the Pelicans to successfully accept tonight's game.

105: 101.

The series leads 2:0.

"Now the Heat are getting nervous!"

In the post-match interview.

The mood of the Heat team is very dignified.

Eric Spoelstra has done everything he can, even with the advice and analysis of his mentor Pat Riley during the period, but still allowed the Pelicans to play a 2:0 big score advantage.

Eric Spoelstra was really a little afraid of Lee coming, and every time he played against the opponent, he was beaten by the nose.

After the press conference, Pat Riley also frowned and felt a little embarrassed.

He has found a way for the Heat to solve the Pelicans defense in the third quarter. The Heat also successfully played a familiar wave of offense in the third quarter. Wade countered the fast break very efficiently tonight.

But Jimmy Butler's sudden outburst took Pat Riley by surprise.

In tonight's game, Jimmy Butler also made Pat Riley notice each other.

"It's been a long time since there has been such an iron-blooded and tough player in the league. He is quite suitable to be the team spirit of the Heat. It's a pity that such a good player was taken by the Pelicans."

After the game, Jimmy Butler hit the national headlines, and his tough performance against James and Wade once shocked fans.

The most important thing is that he is just a player with mediocre talent. He was able to enter the NBA as an older rookie, and it was only his actual combat ability that was recognized by most scouts.

At that time, the Pelicans used the first-round pick to win Jimmy Butler, and they were once slapped and disapproved by various experts.

Now it seems that the Pelicans have made a lot of money.

"A triple-double of 40 points, 13 assists and 11 rebounds?!"

"Which superstar played this? It was still on the stage of the finals!"

"Jimmy Butler?"

Larry Brown noticed the player's name and was very surprised.

If it's Chris Paul or Leonard of the Pelicans who hit this data, Larry Brown can accept it.

After all, the former is one of the top three point guards in the league, and the latter is a strong contender for DPOY in recent years, and he is also talented and has developed his mid-range singles ability this season.

Even Kobe praised Leonard's mid-range singles skills.

But Jimmy Butler, Larry Brown never noticed each other.

Popovich in front of him refilled his cup of coffee and said, "Even I was wrong. I always thought that Leonard was a better player than Jimmy Butler. Now it seems that both of them are very good."

(End of this chapter)