NBA opening draw to twilight Shaquille O'Neal

Chapter 181
Back at halftime, the Clippers attacked. Griffin and Paul, the inside and outside core, remained on the court, with three substitute players, Matt Barnes, Grant Hill, and Ronny Turiaf.

For the Blazers, the five-man team on the field is led by Aldridge, Lillard, and Batum.

Needless to say, Lillard is the number one model worker in the league this season, with an average of 39 minutes of playing time per game, and Batum has an average of 38 minutes of playing time per game, ranking in the forefront of the league.

Even Aldridge, who played the least amount of time, had 37 minutes.

And this...is the benefit of being young!

Paul advanced to the frontcourt, waiting for his teammates to get in position.

Griffin made a stop to the short corner on the left, and Aldridge was pulled out.

Griffin, who averaged 22.5 points per game in his debut, is by no means a "slam dunk machine" or "nothing but dunks" as some people call him.

On the contrary, Griffin can be said to be a rare power forward with comprehensive skills after Tim Duncan. Although he is a little immature now, in terms of the basket skills of the new generation of inside players, Griffin is the best.

Of course, Wang Zelin is an exception.

Today's White Warcraft doesn't like shooting from the outside and holding the ball as much as he did later in his career. In addition to the mighty dunk, Griffin's free throw percentage and jump shot have steadily improved year by year, which makes opponents dare not let him go.

At the same time, Matt Barnes took Batum away from the low corner, Grant Hill came to the free throw line, and Paul passed the ball to Grant Hill, who held the ball and immediately put on a triple threat.

Will Barton leaned forward with a puzzled face. At this time, the backup center Jared Jeffries was taken away by Ronny Turiaf, and the basket was empty.

Could it be that this former Jordan successor wanted to single him out... Will Barton was a little confused.

Will Barton, who is quite motivated, went to check the Clippers' bench lineup before the game, and the famous Grant Hill was naturally not let go.

Averaging 3.21 points and 1.6 rebounds per game, he is at the end of his career and not far from retirement.

Will Barton started to push Grant Hill, but Grant Hill suddenly threw the ball into the air...

"Oh!"

The number 23 figure in red hangs on the Blazers basket.

The white monster completed the alley-oop!

"It can be seen that when Wang is not on the court, the Trail Blazers' inside deterrence and defensive strength have obviously dropped to a higher level."

Kenny Smith said.

"However, the Blazers are leading the way right now, let's see what they do next."

Buckley said.

As soon as Lillard passed half court, Paul was inseparable from her side.

"Want to scare me?"

Feeling the oppressive breath coming from Paul, Lillard was unmoved.

While observing the defensive form on the field, he dribbled the ball to a fixed position.

Batum, who was facing off against Grant Hill, suddenly beckoned for the ball. After Lillard passed, Batum motioned for everyone to pull away.

"Does Nicholas Batum look down on Grant Hill so much?"

Well, in terms of Hill's state this year, not to mention Batum looks down on him, even Clippers fans find it hard to look him in the eye.

If it weren't for the fact that Hill averaged 10 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.2 assists last season, the Fast Travel management would not have signed a two-year contract with Hill's average annual salary of about 190 million yuan.

The results of it!
Due to injuries and age issues, Hill did not play a game at the beginning of the season, and only officially returned in the last few games, and his statistics have declined in an all-round way.

Anyone with a discerning eye can see that there is a high probability that this transaction will lose money.

Facing the old and frail Grant Hill, Batum chose a more sure breakthrough and passed the former in one step. When he reached the basket, it was a dunk.

Looking at Grant Hill who staggered a few times before getting back on his feet, many elderly fans couldn't help feeling a little bit embarrassed, but there was nothing they could do.

In sports competition, food is the original sin, and everything else is an excuse.

"Are the Clippers stupid?"

"An almost 40-year-old veteran defends against Batum alone!"

"I do hope they continue with that strategy."

Sure enough, more fans focused on Batum who scored the goal.

As for Hill...

After a few awkward wry smiles, he regained his mood, raised his head and continued walking towards his own half.

Maybe I shouldn't be here.

Wouldn't it be great to stay in Phoenix?

Hill began to miss his days in the Suns.

……

After playing for nearly 4 minutes, the Blazers led the Clippers by 65 points 61:4, and the point difference was only narrowed by one point.

Batum scored 7 points and 2 rebounds, and was able to maintain the point difference. He is the number one hero.

Hill on the opposite side was reduced to a cash machine.

After playing for almost half a quarter, the team not only failed to overtake the score, but even failed to narrow the point difference. This was something that Clippers coach Vinny Del Negro never expected.

The original intention of going to Hill was to observe Hill's competitive state and physical recovery, and to strengthen the outside firepower by the way.

As a result, being clever was misunderstood by being clever... This made Vinny Del Negro feel very depressed.

Just as he was about to call a timeout for the next ball transfer, Lillard had just passed halftime with the ball, and Trail Blazers coach Terry Stotts took the lead in calling a short timeout.

At a glance, No. 36 of the Blazers has taken off his thermal suit and is doing stretching exercises there.

"DeAndre, get ready!"

Although it can be said that Jordan was completely slammed by Wang Zelin in this game, who made him the defensive gate of the Clippers inside!

At a time like this, who wouldn't he be?
"I see."

The autistic little Jordan who was beaten was drooping, and reluctantly took off his thermal clothing.

After a timeout, Aldridge made a sideline kick.

Originally, Coach Terry wanted Wang Zelin to send it, but he turned it down on the spot.

The attitude shown is decisive!
As for the rhetoric, Wang Zhilin prevaricated with the phrase "I want to get my seat as soon as possible".

Facts have proved that Wang Zelin did not disappoint Coach Terry and scored 6 points in a row.

Jordan, who was defending him, got three fouls early in the first half, and didn't dare to act too aggressively, for fear of being fouled again... What he did was aggrieved!
Wang Zelin was heartbroken (joyed) and flustered (zi) after seeing it.

However, Paul's organizational skills are really powerful, which is enough to throw Lillard several blocks away.

Coupled with the appointment of Chauncey Billups, who is also an organization master, who was appointed to play the 2nd position, the Clippers played well for a while, and made a wave of 12:10, chasing the score to 75:73 , the score is about to be equalized.

Seeing this, Clippers coach Vinny Del Negro couldn't help but beat his head and feet.

Knowing this, he should play a two-point guard style of play, and he shouldn't always think about how to limit the Blazers' offense before the game.

That thing can't be suppressed at all!
It's better to play confrontation early.

But... Looking at the scoreboard, Vinny Del Negro felt that it was not too late.

At this time, with 2 minutes left in the third quarter, Lillard saw that Wang Zelin would not pass after being double-teamed inside, so he knew that the latter must be playing high.

25 points and 12 rebounds!

Get this data in the third quarter, whoever puts it on will not be high.

"Bang!"

Wang Zelin made another shot and hit three irons in a row. Although this time he won a free throw, but...

"Snapped!"

"Snapped!"

Rare missed two free throws.

"The king is indeed tired, now it's my turn."

Lillard had a decision in his mind.

Paul dribbled the ball across half court and passed the ball to Griffin on the left.

For a moment, the audience's focus was on the white monster.

One person, one goal, seems to have great magic power, making everyone's eyes fixed on him.

Now there is less than 1 minute left before the end of the third quarter, and the two teams battled 75:73...

The Clippers were just one goal away from tying the game.

This goal can greatly affect the morale of the two teams.

Griffin felt the drastic change in the surrounding atmosphere, while dribbling the ball with his back to Aldridge, while observing the opponent's position changes.

Obviously, Griffin, who has long been accustomed to the focus of flashlights, is not only not anxious about the attention of everyone, but more of a crazy surge of fighting spirit.

During this period, Griffin was regarded as another signature figure in the league. His explosive style of play brought him unparalleled popularity. Many people regarded him as one of the No.1 seed players in the future league.

If Aldridge could talk trash, it might have disturbed Griffin's mind, but alas...he won't!

After thinking about it, Griffin threw a look at Jordan, who understood and walked out of the paint.

Wang Zelin hesitated for a moment, but left the restricted area anyway.

Little Jordan's ability to cut and eat cakes has to be guarded against.

Under the watchful eyes of everyone, Griffin half-turned to face Aldridge, staring fiercely at the latter.

He moved!
First, he swung the ball upwards with both hands, and after making a fake shot, he suddenly lowered his center of gravity, using his left foot as his left foot, then quickly stepped back with his right foot, followed by his left foot, successfully passed Aldridge, and used a layup Completed the basket finish.

This is a guard-style breakthrough and turn around the basket. It needs to be extremely fast, and the process is smooth and smooth.

However, Griffin really did the above.

75: 75.

The two teams drew.

Swapping offense and defense, Lillard didn't wait for Wang Zelin to get in and beckoned him to come out for a pick-and-roll.

Wang Zelin didn't refuse either. The frequent shots made him a little tired, so he came up to help Lillard block Paul.

Lillard broke through from the right.

Lillard, who was sprinting with all his strength, caught Jordan by surprise, and did not follow after changing defenses. After Lillard entered the reasonable collision zone, he suddenly grabbed the ball, separated his right foot, took a step forward, bent his knees, and grabbed the ball high Lift up, tense all over...

This is an iconic tomahawk snap action!

Jordan, who is full of confidence in his physical fitness, how could it be possible to witness his opponent complete this kind of dunk, take a run-up and go straight to cover Lillard.

"Eh?"

Little Jordan jumped up, and the basketball in his sight suddenly disappeared. When he landed, he realized that the basketball suddenly jumped up...

"Crack...swish!"

Wipe the board into the basket!

Looking up at the big screen... It turned out that Lillard changed a dunk to a layup at the last moment, avoided Jordan's block, and hit a layup with a pull bar.

77: 75.

What a chicken thief!
Depressedly, Jordan rubbed his new hairstyle, and after Paul came over, he quickly served the baseline ball.

There are still 37 seconds left, and both sides theoretically have an attack time.

When it was the Clippers' turn to attack, Paul sped up and overtook Lillard. Wang Zelin didn't think about it, and jumped up to block the shot at the right time.

But Paul chose to split the ball at the last minute, Willie Green received a pass from the corner three-point line, Batum interfered in time and missed a hit.

The audience in the stands stood up, applauded, or shouted, and there were still 15 seconds left, as if everyone wanted to know the performance of the Blazers' last attack in the third quarter.

Accompanied by Wang Zelin's cheers one after another, the last performer seems to have been born.

However, Lillard went to the frontcourt, ignored the shouts from the fans, and signaled his teammates to open up space.

Wang Zelin and Aldridge quickly retreated to the left and right outside lines, ready to rush for rebounds.

Although it failed to meet the requirements of some fans, Lillard still made many fans look forward to it.

Averaged 17.8 points, 8.2 assists, 3.5 rebounds...and a league-high 39 minutes per game!

All of the above are enough for Lillard to live up to the expectations of all Portland fans.

Although beside Wang Zelin, Lillard is not as dazzling as in the impression of his previous life, but this is only relative to the mainland of the United States.

Looking at the world of basketball, with the blessing of his teammates in China, Lillard already has a certain reputation, which was beyond his reach in his rookie season in his last life.

Correspondingly, the endorsement of off-site commercial activities will come faster and more than in the previous life.

……

"The fan atmosphere in Portland is really good, the fans are so enthusiastic!"

Kenny Smith laughed.

"Chew, if I were a Portland fan, and I picked two super talents who were the cornerstone of the team in the same draft, I would be more than happy, I would be crazy."

Buckley added.

"That's right, the most important thing is that not only do their positions not overlap, but they can also complement each other."

"..."

Off the court, Clippers coach Vinny Del Negro looked serious, and he heard the exchange between Kenny Smith and Barkley.

He fully agrees with Kenny Smith and Barkley.

"It was the Thunder first, and now there is such a young team in the West, the playoffs will be difficult in the future."

Back on the court, there are 8 seconds left in the clock.

Lillard still stayed outside the three-point line, and the hearts of the Rose Garden fans were almost in their throats.

What on earth does this No. 0 kid want to do?

Doesn't he check the time?

Paul was also puzzled.

Normally, about 8 seconds is the best time to launch an attack.

This time point can not only take into account personal offensive choices, but also have a sufficient fault tolerance rate.

For example, assisting (throwing) attacking (potting) teammates at the last moment...

The last 4 seconds.

Paul's hairs stood on end, his concentration sharp.

It's a pity...Lillard still doesn't have the idea of ​​​​entering the three-point line.

Some fans held their heads or covered their eyes, and they no longer had any expectations for Lillard in their hearts, and they had no idea what the latter was doing.

The insider Wang Zelin seemed to have thought of something, and there was a faint expectation in his heart.

Are you really going to do this?

Everyone's thoughts were flying, and in the last three seconds, Lillard finally moved.

Cross step forward, forcing Paul back... In two seconds, Paul took off decisively.

He had a hunch that it would be a dry three-pointer.

However... Lillard took a sharp step back, and he made enough space before making a shot.

The ball was just out of the hand for some distance, the red light came on, the third quarter was over, but no one cared.

Everyone's attention was focused on the orange basketball flying in the air.

Blow, blow, let the ball blow...

"Oh!"

"Shh!"

A three-pointer hit the board, and the Blazers added another three-pointer, 80:75. The point difference was like a cycle, and it returned to 5 points.

Everyone in the Clippers is about to cry...

The instigator!

He was putting on an extremely arrogant expression, with his right index finger and middle finger standing side by side, pointing to the tattoo on his left wrist, as if to say, now is the time—look at the watch!
(End of this chapter)