The strongest champion puzzle

Chapter 155 Take the initiative to provoke
While the outside world is touting the Heat, their coach Spoelstra is a little troubled.

The most worrying question appeared. In fact, how far Zhang Xiaotian can play is not the most worrying thing for the Heat, because their lineup is already very strong.

In addition to the health of the Big Three, what worries them most is a group of veterans.

The Heat have too many veterans, and if there is an injury problem, it will be a big trouble for the rotation time.

They had trouble with this last season. It was because they were worried about injuries that the team let Wade support his knees even though he thought he was fine.

Now Wade is okay, but Haslem and Ray Allen have problems.

The outside shooting problem is okay, let Battier and Lewis top it, although they are also veterans.

The Heat are struggling inside. Although they are playing a small lineup, they still need the insiders to spend some time on the court. Poelstra felt the most headache.

He is now praying that nothing will happen to the Big Three.

The opponents in the next few games don't have any ruthless characters, which is a good consolation.

For tactical considerations, Spoelstra seemed to ask Zhang Xiaotian to play as a substitute, but after careful consideration, he chose to stagger the rotation time.

On November 11, the Heat continued to sit at home, and their opponent was the Bucks.

The Bucks chose to rebuild after a major summer change. All five starters were replaced, which is rare in the league.

Zhang Xiaotian's teammate Gary Neal from last season also came to the Bucks, and he also signed a two-year contract at $325 million per year, which is considered to have met his requirements.

The Bucks are facing him against the second-year rookie Khris Middleton who entered the league last season like him. After the game started, the opponent was a little aggressive.

"Boy, I want to let you know that the strikers who entered the league last season are much better than you."

Zhang Xiaotian sensed the opponent's fighting spirit, he was a little puzzled, after he thought it over last time, he didn't have any provocative words.

However, he would not give in when he was provoked, "Really, your name must not be in it."

Khris Middleton Zhang Xiaotian also knows that he is used to mid-range shots like him, but he is more of a shooter.

Facing this type of player, Zhang Xiaotian immediately showed his favorite method, constantly using physical confrontation to interfere with the opponent's running without the ball.

Because the Bucks are also playing big and small, and their center Zaza Pachulia is not strong in defense, so the Heat did not hesitate to hit the inside with the ball.

Chris Middleton was annoyed by Zhang Xiaotian's confrontation tactics. He was obviously not used to this style of play, but he didn't know why he gritted his teeth and resisted Zhang Xiaotian.

In 2 minutes, Zhang Xiaotian made the opponent foul and make a mistake.

Khris Middleton's eyes were red, but the situation was even worse, because he wanted to save face, he was kicked up by Zhang Xiaotian on the defensive end, and there were always problems on the offensive end.

Zhang Xiaotian was a little surprised, Middleton still has strength, and it is obviously abnormal now.

However, he would not let go of such an opportunity. He took the opportunity to spout trash talk at this young man, causing him to be tricked into another foul by him impulsively.

Zhang Xiaotian also became happy. Compared with him, this kid is really a rookie, and he is too easy to be fooled. Fortunately, he has studied with the old fritters on the Spurs for a season, and his mentality is already very mature.

In the half quarter, Middleton was replaced because of abnormal performance.

He was replaced by this year's No. 15 pick, Giannis Antetokounmpo. This buddy with inside height is extremely excited to come up.

"Dude, you have some strength, but I will avenge Chris, and I will kill you."

It's really troublesome for a guy with tall arms, long arms and athletic ability. Fortunately, the opponent likes to show off his skills on the outside, and Zhang Xiaotian can still resist.

This guy's attitude was similar to that of Middleton before, and Zhang Xiaotian quickly felt the trick.

Of course he didn't know that the two young men of the Bucks made a bet before the game to see who could kill him.

Even if it was the impact of his previous arrogance, everyone is new to the league, and the two rookies who are actually much younger than him are of course eager to try.

"He can't do it, and neither can you." Zhang Xiaotian said contemptuously.

"Really, shoot in front of me if you have the ability, and I will definitely block you." Antetokounmpo said loudly.

Zhang Xiaotian secretly thought that this carefree-looking young man is not stupid, this guy is so much taller than him, it is really stressful to shoot in front of him.

However, because Ray Allen was unable to play, Zhang Xiaotian was not replaced so quickly. He only played against the Bucks' two strikers from the very beginning.

The last 24 seconds of the first quarter were up, Zhang Xiaotian, as a second-year old man, of course had the responsibility to teach the rookie who had just entered the NBA, especially this kind of talented player who was not even 20 years old.

"Rookie, I didn't like to play hard in the first three quarters, but for the welcome ceremony, I am willing to give you this opportunity." After Zhang Xiaotian got the ball, he waved to Antetokounmpo.

Antetokounmpo stopped in front with his long arms outstretched, with a smile on his face.

For this kind of head-to-head confrontation, he is full of confidence, and many guys who underestimate his age have been defeated by him.

Zhang Xiaotian directly put on a singles stance, started with a proficient tentative move, and then wiped it inside.

His original intention was to step back after physical contact, relying on Mr. Key's skills to hit the opponent.

But after the real confrontation, Zhang Xiaotian changed his mind in an instant, the little guy on the other side was still very thin.

He encountered this situation many times when he was in college, and many tall people didn't exercise their muscles when they were young.

Zhang Xiaotian pushed hard inside, almost crushing the opponent and making a shot.

Double hit rate, ignoring 55% of the defense, making up for the unstable shots in the confrontation.

The basketball bounced on the rim and fell into the rim, Antetokounmpo was a little dumbfounded.

After Zhang Xiaotian took the ball, he realized that this big and tall guy should be easier to deal with than the previous one. Although he looks very skilled, this guy obviously hasn't adapted to NBA-level confrontation.

He doesn't mind bullying children in the professional arena.

Sure enough, Antetokounmpo was a little distressed when he deliberately strengthened his physical confrontation.

James played more smoothly than Zhang Xiaotian. Caron Butler couldn't stop James when he was at his peak, and now he can't stop him even more.

In the first quarter, the Heat led by 9 points.

The Bucks also have some talented young players, but they are too young to play against the same lineup as the Heat, not to mention that they can't play the tactics of the Celtics, and they are destined to be suppressed.

(End of this chapter)