basketball player

Chapter 275: Chapter 273

Halfway through the fourth quarter, Carlisle felt more and more difficult to win today's game.At this point, the Pacers still lead the Mavericks by 9 points.Although the 9-point difference is not that big in modern basketball, there is no problem in recovering it in half a quarter.But in the case of being completely unable to contain the Pacers' quick counterattack, the Mavericks could not narrow the point difference at all.

In the first half, the Mavericks clearly had the advantage.But since that half-time break, everything has changed.

Damn halftime!
After Horford scored four points in the third quarter, the Mavericks' vigor obviously dropped a lot.The Pacers, on the other hand, became more and more courageous as they fought.Stevens changed players according to the small note in his hand, and then matched a variety of effective offensive tactics according to the personnel in his hand, making Carlisle's repeated adjustments ineffective.

"Coach Stevens has fully demonstrated his level. If the league has an award for the best assistant coach of the year, I think Stevens may be able to compete for it, hahahaha." Reggie Miller was very happy. He thought that the absence of Henson would cause the Pacers to encounter big trouble in this game.

But unexpectedly, after a halftime break, the situation changed 180°.

After the game, the Mavericks never had a chance to close the score.At the last moment, the continuous scoring of Collison and Nowitzki made the Pacers feel some pressure, but overall it was just a near miss.

103 to 96, the Pacers finally withstood the pressure and won the 7-year championship winner Dallas Mavericks by 11 points.After the game, the on-site reporters immediately found Carlisle. After all, Carlisle threatened to seize the opportunity to win the game before the game, but now the result is not satisfactory. The reporters naturally have many questions to get answers.

"What else can I say? The Pacers' substitutions and tactical arrangements are very subtle. We must admit that Coach Stevens is a very capable coach. Although I don't know what Henson Joe said during the halftime break, at least I'm sure that many of the arrangements of Coach Stevens came from himself."

Carlisle shook his head. The Pacers had a stronger lineup on paper.Under such circumstances, coupled with unexpected substitutions and subtle tactical arrangements, it is not surprising that the Mavericks lost.

On the other side, Brad. Stevens also accepted the first sideline interview since entering the NBA.The reporters' questions were all gathered on the small note in Stevens' hand.

"After the intermission, what was written on the little note in your hand? Did Coach Henson give it to you? Did he write down the method to deal with the Mavericks?" Stevens was a little at a loss by the reporter's series of questions.

"Well, it's just a few names on it, really. Coach Henson got me through with just a few names."

Stevens smiled and waved his hand, and the reporters thought he was joking instead.After all, few coaches would really like to discuss game strategy in front of reporters.

As everyone knows, everything Stevens said is true
Stevens managed to get rid of the reporter and walked into the locker room, but was "tragicly" hugged by Henson head-on.

"Nice job Brad, I knew you could run the game for me!"

"I should thank you, Henson. If you hadn't helped me make personnel adjustments, I might have fought against Carlisle all night today."

The two coaches patted each other on the shoulder, and in Vogel's words: "Actually, neither of these two guys can do without the other. It's like a bicycle. You can't say which wheel is the most important, the front wheel or the rear wheel, because without one of them, the car can't be ridden."

Henson also attended the press conference that followed on time.After all, the league just banned Henson from participating, so things like attending a press conference don't matter.

After Stevens, reporters asked Henson the same question at the news conference: "What's on the note?"

"That little piece of paper has every player's name on the Pacers, that's all. Do you really think that a little piece of paper can make the team win the game? Come on, that's just deception."

Seeing the unbelievable expressions of the reporters, Henson felt secretly refreshed.It is rare for me to be frank and lenient, so why do you still not believe it?
After the battle with the Mavericks, people's doubts about Stevens and Vogel also disappeared.And after tasting the victory, the pressure on Vogel and Stevens is no longer huge.After all, they have proved that they can also lead the team to victory.

So the next two back-to-back games of the Pacers also went very smoothly.

In New York, the Pacers scored 88 to 76, relying on Vogel's excellent defensive arrangement to kill the old rival New York Knicks again.A day later in Washington, D.C., facing the Wizards, who were unable to play Wall and had lost 8 games in a row since the beginning of the season, the Pacers easily retreated 96-89!

What these two back-to-back games have in common is that Stevens will always glance at the mysterious note in his hand from time to time.

So far, the Pacers have achieved a record of 12 wins and 0 losses, 12 consecutive victories!And the start of the 12-game winning streak is also the best start record of the Pacers so far!

"I said long ago in the opening game that the Indiana Pacers' offensive this season will be devastating! Although they didn't make big moves this summer, the young people are making rapid progress!"

"12 consecutive victories, the best start in team history. Only three games away from the best 15-game winning streak in NBA history! Everyone, we are witnessing the birth of a super team!"

"The most frightening thing is that the defending champions seem to be stronger than last season. I even wonder if the Miami Heat will be able to stop the Pacers before the finals. It seems that LeBron's dream of ruling the East is very difficult to realize."

All of a sudden, there were overwhelming comments praising the Pacers.This situation would never have happened in the past few years.Even last season, people were more suspicious and contemptuous of the Pacers during this period.

But now, the strength of the Pacers has reached the point where no one can ignore it.

The team won the best start record in history, which is undoubtedly something to be happy about.However, what is even more gratifying is that the Pacers coach Henson Joe, who is full of personality, ended his three-game suspension and is about to return!

People believe that after Henson comes back, he will definitely make the Pacers who are already driving on the highway fly at an even more terrifying speed!

During the media opening period on November 11th, there were a lot of reporters in the training ground of the Banker Life Arena.And most of these reporters surrounded Henson Joe who was about to return to the game.

"Coach Henson, how does it feel to be back on the field?"

"Henson, what do you think of this punishment? Do you think it's too harsh?"

"At present, the team has achieved a good start with 12 consecutive victories. Do you think the NBA record of 15 consecutive victories can become a reality for you?"

The reporters were chattering about asking questions. Seeing the lively scene on the training ground, Bird and Pritchard couldn't help shaking their heads.

"You know what, man, I've never seen a head coach who is as popular as he is. Usually, there are more reporters around the players. But at Bankers Life Arena, it's all turned upside down."

"Okay, gentlemen, there are too many questions for you, I can't answer each one. All I can say is, I am very happy to be back! Thank you for the vacation from the league. To be honest, I was really exhausted during that time. I was asking Bird if he could give me a week off. Then, the league kindly gave me a vacation. I thank the league, so I will definitely prove to the league what a disciplined coach I am! My team won three consecutive victories without me. Disappointed!"

Underneath, Henson easily answered the reporters with a smile on his face.Of course, don't forget to give Xiao Hua a response.

"My team won three straight games without me and it looks like I can't let the league down again!"

There seemed to be no problem with this answer, but Adam Xiao Hua thought about it carefully and found that he seemed to be scolded again!
The implication is that the Pacers did not lose, which disappointed the league! ?Yes, Henson is now fighting against his enemies within the scope of "keeping the rules"!

Xiao Hua must admit that the Pacers' three-game winning streak did disappoint him.Because the suspension of Henson was to teach him a painful lesson.If the Pacers lose, the lesson will undoubtedly be even greater.

However, instead of losing, the Pacers broke the record for the best start in team history.At the same time, Stevens and Vogel became famous because of this, while Henson and his "mysterious note" became popular on the Internet, causing a lot of discussions among fans and even experts every day!
Xiao Hua sighed, instead, he pushed Henson Joe up hard.

(End of this chapter)