basketball player

Chapter 673 Chapter 671: The Locked Champion

Jimmy Butler proudly showed off his strong arms. Although this game only experienced one attack and one defense, it was the most comfortable one attack and one defense for Butler.

Redick hit a three-pointer, Embiid took George, and Simmons sent a wonderful pass to assist him to score. This smooth feeling of the game, Jimmy Butler has never experienced in the previous game against the Pacers.

Therefore, just after scoring a goal, Jimmy Butler felt that he had unprecedented confidence.Embiid said it well, after today, the Indiana Pacers will no longer be his shadow.

After the score became 5-0, Henson stood on the sidelines and yelled at the players.Jimmy Butler heard the voice, and Henson seemed to tell everyone to "continue with the original plan."

What was the original plan?Jimmy Butler didn't know.All he knew was that the Pacers followed Henson's plan just now, but lost 5 points without scoring a single point.

He didn't pay attention to Henson's cry. Today, he is bound to destroy the Bankers Life Stadium!
Antetokounmpo came in possession of the ball, and he remembered Henson's words, so this time the Greek was not impulsive, but slowed down on the outside.

After his teammates stretched the lineup, Antetokounmpo called a screen.Lopez came to the pick-and-roll, which can be regarded as an inside-block cooperation.

Lopez and Antetokounmpo picked and rolled, which made the 76ers' defense a little difficult.Is it to follow Antetokounmpo to shrink the inside line, or pay attention to Lopez's long shot?
For the first time, Embiid chose to stay on the perimeter to defend Lopez.Therefore, Antetokounmpo relied on Simmons' confrontation and easily made a layup inside.

I have to admit that Antetokounmpo's finish at the basket is higher than that of Ben Simmons.After all, this is a scorer averaging nearly 30 points per game.Moreover, Antetokounmpo is stronger than Simmons.

"Is this your plan?" Jimmy Butler snorted in his heart, of course he knew how much Antetokounmpo weighed.But don't think that with such a simple move, you can handle the current 76ers!
But then Jimmy Butler discovered that the Pacers strengthened not only offense, but also defense.

"Ben Simmons was entangled by Antetokounmpo's long arms on the outside. Now he doesn't talk about breaking through, it is very difficult to get the ball out."

Antetokounmpo did not let Simmons go this time, but pressed him directly.

Simmons wanted to use his strong body to open up some breakthrough space, but several attempts ended in failure.

Seeing that Ben Simmons was in trouble, Jimmy Butler came to help him.However, as soon as he received the basketball, Paul George also posted it with his teeth and claws.

Just now, Jimmy Butler was able to score inside the basket, but it doesn't mean that he can score easily like that throughout the entire game today.

George is one of the last perimeter defenses in the league, so even Jimmy Butler will struggle one-on-one with George.

In the end, Jimmy Butler passed the ball to Embiid.Embiid used a flexible back turn to break through Lopez, and then made an easy layup.

The 76ers continued to score, and Jimmy Butler was triumphant.Don't think that the current team will be as easy to deal with as the Bulls and Timberwolves in the past.

"Henson, they've scored goals in three consecutive rounds!" Becky Harmon reminded, but Henson just waved his hand.

"It doesn't matter, let Ben Simmons be useless, our goal has been achieved. As for the next game after Embiid, I will deal with him."

While speaking, Antetokounmpo hit a pick-and-roll with Lopez again.But this time, Embiid chose to return to defense with Simmons.He doesn't care if he's chasing the "Greek Monster", he just knows that no one can easily score in the penalty area.

However, as the 76ers feared.Antetokounmpo made a wonderful pass and assisted Lopez to hit a three-pointer at the top of the arc.

Embiid shook his head in annoyance. He just scored a goal on Lopez's head, and he didn't expect to be returned so soon.

However, the Pacers scored two consecutive goals in the same way, which made the 76ers figure out what to do next.

So when Antetokounmpo hit the pick-and-roll with Lopez for the third time, Embiid and Ben Simmons switched positions directly.Now, it's up to Embiid to chase Antetokounmpo, while Simmons stays on the outside to block Lopez's receiving route.

"Nice switch, the basketball IQ of these two guys is not ordinary high!"

But even so, the 76ers' defense was still unsuccessful.Antetokounmpo bravely and intentionally leaned on Embiid, and then jumped up immediately.

In this way, Embiid was called his first foul of the game!
"What!?" Embiid asked the referee loudly. He originally imagined that he could complete a big chase.But the gap between the final result and my own fantasy is too big.

Henson deliberately applauded vigorously off the court, and the more he makes Embiid angry now, the better his chances in the second quarter will be executed.

Antetokounmpo went to the free throw line and made one of two free throws.Although the 76ers are still leading, the Pacers have undoubtedly extinguished the 76ers' arrogance.

After that, the Pacers continued to guard against Ben Simmons, and the 2-meter-tall No. 08 pick was almost useless.

He can't play the transition offense he likes, and he can't even pass the ball comfortably.While Embiid is getting more and more irritable, Simmons' self-confidence and mood are getting lower and lower.

Throughout the first quarter, most of the 76ers' offense was supported by Jimmy Butler and Embiid.Ben Simmons?If they hadn't seen him being replaced by Brett Brown, the fans might have forgotten that there was such a number one player on the court.

Although Jimmy Butler and Embiid are still playing well, JJ Redick also hit a few three-pointers.After the first quarter, the 76ers also led the Pacers by 30 points 25 to 5.

In a single energy, they scored 30 points under the defense of the Pacers, which is enough to prove how good the 76ers are.

However, Henson has no worries about his situation.

After the first quarter of the game, the commentators were all praising the 76ers' performance, praising Embiid's amazing talent, and praising Jimmy Butler's hard work.

But Henson was not overwhelmed by the opponent's outstanding performance, because so far, the game has been developing according to his plan!

"Everyone did a good job in the first quarter. We are only 5 points behind. With three full quarters left, this is a gap that can be ignored. But don't worry, we won't be behind for too long. Just now, you successfully locked Ben Simmons. In the second quarter, our goal is to lock Embiid."

Hearing what Henson said, Lopez and Antetokounmpo geared up.Henson had already told the two of today's defensive strategy, so Lopez and Antetokounmpo actually knew how to contain the arrogant bastard.It's just that Henson doesn't allow that.

After Simmons is Embiid, and now, they can finally shut up that arrogant guy!

If the Pacers' second-quarter strategy works, Henson believes it.The entire second half will be a nightmare for Jimmy Butler!

At the same time, Embiid was interviewed by reporters on the sidelines during the intermission.After tasting the sweetness in the first quarter, Embiid undoubtedly became more confident.

"The Pacers' defense is not as horrible as people say. Don't worry, Joel will let the defending champion fall from the altar today!"

After Embiid finished speaking, he pointed to the camera very handsomely.

At this time, Embiid must not know, this will be his last chance to play cool in the whole game.
(End of this chapter)