Healing Basketball

Chapter 464 464. Always Appearing at Critical Moments

The Pacers knew that Tinsley couldn't defend against Liu Xiu, so this time, Tinsley's defensive task was adjusted. It only needed to interfere with Liu Xiu's outside shooting, and it didn't matter what was passed.

But it's not that they can't prevent the breakthrough, it's that they can't prevent it at all!
In the match at the end of February, Liu Xiu had already exceeded the Pacers' initial expectations.

This time, it was even fiercer than last time!
Tinsley felt that half of his body was about to be knocked to pieces, and he waved his hand at Artest who was picking up and serving the ball, but Artest was silent.

This scene is just like Raheem and Liu Xiu just now.

In the transition between offense and defense, Artest sent the ball to Tinsley and ran to the frontcourt. It was Liu Xiu who went up to meet him!

Screams, cheers, cheers, cursing at the scene... one after another, one after another.

Liu Xiu took a deep breath and was ready to guard against this small forward who was 10 centimeters taller than him.

However, Artest was not pushed away by the fans, but took the initiative to run to the left baseline.

This area is the most accurate area for his long-range shots, especially the left corner, where he can average 39 three-pointers per game with a 0.9% shooting rate.

The atmosphere has been enhanced to this point. If the star does not make a wave, he will definitely lose his face, and it may even affect the morale of the team.

But for the Pacers, no.

As the defending champion, there are veteran stars like Reggie Miller in the lineup, and morale and confidence will not be damaged by this.

Moreover, the party involved is Artest!
Artest can calm down when facing Liu Xiu. Instead of feeling ashamed, his teammates will be more motivated!
What they are afraid of is that Artest will compete with Liu Xiu. Will they give the ball or not?

Give it, the Trail Blazers are probably eager to let Liu Xiu and Artest one-on-one, if not, Reggie Miller gave Artest the boss position in advance after Artest returned from injury ster...

Now this situation is what the teammates want to see.

Seeing Artest go to the bottom line, the expressions of the Pacers players became more excited, and the defensive enthusiasm of the Trail Blazers players also increased.

The worst-case scenario for the Trail Blazers has emerged-Jermaine O'Neal can play, and Artest calms down!
However, although this situation is the worst situation, the Trail Blazers' preparation meeting felt that this was the most likely situation. The direction they are preparing for is exactly this direction!

The Pacers launched an offense. Facing Payton's defense, Tinsley did not fight, but cooperated with his teammates to launch an offense around Reggie Miller's three-point threat.

Reggie Miller received the ball from the flank and attracted Raheem and the defending Kwame Brown. After the ball was close, Tianzun caught the ball and dunked and scored two points.

Payton indicated that he would continue to strengthen the confrontation. The confrontation intensity can deal with all ordinary pitchers. As for Reggie Miller, Payton is not afraid. The opponent is like him, playing on a championship-level team, and he can only perform well in about 20 minutes. time.

When the Trail Blazers attacked, Payton advanced to the frontcourt and signaled Raheem to take the ball. At this time, it was Reggie Miller who was defending Raheem!

Liu Xiu and Artest's offensive and defensive matchup!The Trail Blazers had thought of this picture, but they didn't expect it to come so early.

The scary scene imagined that the two might meet did not appear. Faced with Liu Xiu's faint smile, Artest's expression was determined and focused.

Raheem went to the low position on the left side of the three-second zone, punched Reggie Miller with a strong back, turned around and entered the three-second zone with one step, and smashed the ball into the basket with one hand!

Reggie Miller can only scold young people for not talking about martial arts, and Tianzun who has come over can only watch.

Randolph, who was responding from the bottom line on the right, was so envious. This back hitting technique... no, I have to ask the warden to teach him.

Seeing how easy the warden learned, I thought it was very simple, but this advanced technique is really difficult!
The Pacers took advantage of Raheem's inability to defend against Reggie Miller's running position; the Trail Blazers were more direct, launching an offense around Raheem's attack on Reggie Miller.

The offense of the two teams at the beginning was much better than what the TV commentator predicted in the pre-match analysis, but fans who have understood the game know that the smooth offense in front of them may soon become extremely sluggish, but neither side is willing. The one who was 'confessed' was holding on, but at this time the two sides were in a stalemate, and the offensive performance was very good. At this point, the tacit understanding between the two teams is very good, and there is a clear offensive breakthrough. Well used.

At this time, both sides are expecting someone in the team to stand up and break the deadlock. If it is inside, whether it is Randolph or Jermaine O'Neal, it is difficult to do it. The outside line with more freedom of attack and a wider attack range is the right one. Problem solving answers.

The Trail Blazers are looking forward to Liu Xiu, and the Pacers are naturally looking forward to... Reggie Miller.

At this time, what the Pacers were looking forward to was really not Artest. Artest calmly played without the ball to contain Liu Xiu. From the coach to the teammates, they were very pleased, but there is a certain level in playing without the ball. Artest Some people rush without the ball, catch and shoot from the bottom line or the top arc.

And the much-anticipated Reggie Miller, who is now serving as a containment point and a support point, has already done his best, so how can he still have the ability to take on the important task of breaking the deadlock.

At this time, it was Liu Xiu who stepped forward to break the deadlock!Reggie Miller is at the king level without the ball, Artest is at the black iron bronze level, and although Liu Xiu is not particularly good, at least he is at the silver and gold level, leaving the bronze pit.

At 4 minutes and 39 seconds of the first quarter, Liu Xiu pulled towards the top arc while running. Artest was attracted by Randolph's cut-in response and pinched up. Rahim responded with the ball to the top arc. points hit.

Immediately after Payton steals Tinsley head-on, Liu Xiu catches the ball and counterattacks. Facing the retreating Artest, Liu Xiu resorts to a European step, greatly changes direction and hits a layup after jumping, 18 to 13 , The Trail Blazers extended their lead to 5 points!
The Pacers called a timeout!
...

Carlisle kept his mouth shut, let out a muffled snort, and played for a little over 5 minutes. The Pacers scored 13 points, which is already very high, while the Trail Blazers scored 18 points!
Relying on Liu Xiulian scoring 4 points!
Artest didn't keep up, nor did he have the ability to keep up.

This round, Carlisle lost the fight, but if he was asked to do it again, he would still choose to fight, what if they seized more opportunities?
Like Tinsley's open three-pointer, and Jermaine O'Neal's hasty throw when he met Liu Xiu and was blocked outside the three-second zone. If these two goals are scored, they will be hit by the opposite side call timeout.

In Carlisle's view, the opponent just relied on Liu Xiu's good condition.

Carlisle is confident that Artest and Jermaine O'Neal will take the performance of Artest and Jermaine O'Neal to a higher level after the defending year is over, and the tactical system will be completely reformed to keep up with the trend of the new era. So bad.

Carlisle originally had a lot of dissatisfaction with Artest, but after being elbowed, Artest seemed to be sublimated...

Carlisle heard that this guy lay in the hospital for two weeks, and he could not watch TV or listen to music for more than a week when he went home to recuperate. At most, he could only read books and look at flowers and plants. For more than a week, it was the first time in my life to think about my life... Although my temper is still grumpy, and my bad habits can't be changed by thinking about my life, but my whole person has indeed changed a lot because of it.

Carlisle felt that Liu Xiu's Iron Elbow was really effective, but he didn't know if another shot could consolidate the curative effect or be equivalent to the next stage of treatment?

Artest was very satisfied with the coach's admiring eyes, and he also found that he played calmly, and the team seemed to like him more...Suddenly, he felt cold behind his back, and then looked at the coach, Jim Carrey, who started to learn from the chief assistant on the opposite side of his head, why did his eyes start to shine?

Does this guy have any dangerous ideas? !
Carlisle threw away his bold idea, he felt that Artest's change was good enough, and he would be scared to death again, Artest was lying in the hospital for two weeks... Putting aside distracting thoughts, Carlisle put Reggie Miller replaced.

Without Reggie Miller, Carlisle can also arrange a good lineup. After this season, Reggie Miller will retire. In fact, preparations have already begun. Carlisle is building a new system, starting with defense , The preparations made in advance this season are to start without Reggie Miller's defense!
...

After the timeout, the other four Pacers did not move. Carlisle only replaced Reggie Miller with James Jones.

The Trail Blazers also didn't change anyone.

After the timeout, the Pacers attacked, Jermaine O'Neal stormed the basket and made a throw, and Randolph protected the defensive rebound.

Payton received the ball and advanced to the frontcourt. There was no good chance to pass the ball, so he came by himself.

Facing Tinsley's extremely aggressive defense, Payton protected the ball very well, but Tinsley interfered with the horizontal pull jumper shot that broke through and then turned back to back.Miss!Tianzun protects the defensive rebound.

Payton's back-hitting moves are good-looking, but he can't get rid of an opponent like Tinsley who is extremely fast and defends extraordinarily hard!

When Payton played back, the other Pacers players continued to improve the confrontation just like what the Trail Blazers did just now!

In fact, when the players of the two teams saw the opposing lineup on the court, they knew what the opponent was going to do next.

The Trail Blazers' starting lineup was their most aggressive lineup, and the Pacers replaced James Jones with their most aggressive lineup.

With a 5-point difference, the Pacers are not in a hurry to chase, and the Trail Blazers can't do it if they want to widen the point difference at this time.

In terms of defense, the Pacers are still stronger.

Artest, Jermaine O'Neal, Tianzun, this frontcourt trio, when there was no Reggie Miller on the outside to "hold back", in more than 6 minutes, they beat the Trail Blazers 10-7. At 11 minutes and 28 seconds into the first quarter, the score was chased to 23 to 25, and the point difference was reduced to 2 points!

The Pacers want to start and tie the score in the first quarter!

When the Trail Blazers were attacking, Liu Xiu ran without the ball to catch the ball and leaned towards Artest who was chasing him. Take a step in the direction, take off, turn over, make a mid-range shot... hit!
尽管天尊接下来的压哨中投进了，首节打完时，开拓者队靠着刘秀单节8分2板2助攻1抢断的表现，依旧以27比25领先着步行者队两分进入节间休息！

Being so heavily guarded, he still managed to score 8 points in a single quarter. Carlisle watched the game from the sidelines and wanted to get kicked. The warden's condition was much better than he expected!
(End of this chapter)