The strongest champion puzzle

Chapter 269 Core Performance
At the Chesapeake Energy Arena, the fans were too nervous to watch.

"Unbelievable, he made another hit, another buzzer, 104:103, the Cavaliers won the away game."

"He's amazing, New York All-Star, I'm going to vote for him."

"The Cavaliers also won nine consecutive victories, and they are making great strides."

Thunder's home court was quiet, only the commentator was excited.

With a team-high 22 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists, Zhang Xiaotian's performance was impeccable.

"Even if he's not there, we have to continue to win. We're a very strong team with great teammates. All we have to do is continue until we win the championship."

"If the team encounters any difficulties, I will stand up without hesitation, and I can do it."

In the post-match interview, Zhang Xiaotian also showed confidence.

In contrast, the pressure on the Thunder has become even greater because of a bad start due to injuries, and now they have lost to the Cavaliers without James, and they will have to work harder to get out of the predicament.

"He is a very strong player, we made a lot of mistakes, but we will not fall." Durant answered the reporter's question loudly.

Playing the Pelicans back-to-back the next day, James joined the team in New Orleans.

James' body is different from ordinary people. Other players have to adjust for a month if they have physical problems, but he will be fine in about three days. This is also a kind of talent, and it is still the kind that everyone envies.

The team won the game without him. While praising his teammates, James couldn't sit still.

The current performance of the Pelicans is not bad, hovering around eighth in the Western Conference, but compared to last season, it is already a very good improvement.

Facing the Cavaliers this time, the Pelicans did not continue to fiddle with their three-back formation.

In fact, it was also forced. Gordon's injuries were a bit repeated. Luke Babbitt, who started the game this time, was a white forward who was lagging behind in defense. They really didn't have a suitable small forward.

The opponent's defense is not good, I believe every player likes it.

Although James claims to have rested for an injury, in fact he is still stronger than a cow.

At the beginning of the game, James faced Luke Babbitt's paper-thin defense and scored easily.

Similarly, Anthony Davis played Varejao with ease.

The two immediately started scoring points, no matter how they played.

The score between the two sides has also been stalemate, but when more than seven minutes into the first quarter, Anthony Davis was injured in the fight.

This is the baby of the Pelicans, and he was replaced immediately.

Without Anthony Davis, the Cavaliers still feel that they have an advantage, and the time has just entered the rotation period. In the current situation, the main force of the Cavaliers does not seem to be so desperate.

But the Cavaliers' substitute protested with action, and they just couldn't play.

No one scored, Ryan Anderson on the Pelicans felt as hot as last time, Rivers Jr. also had a brilliant performance, Waiters on the Cavaliers was still disappointing, Dellavedova and Joe Harris also felt bad. Well, David Blatt even tried James Jones.

Others didn't feel good and still played hard, but Waiters was absent-minded. The head coach David Blatt was furious, and he threw Waiters on the bench, not planning to give him another chance.

There is also a reason why Waiters is not active. He got gossip that the Cavaliers are selling him.

Waiters was hurt, he was so talented that the team was going to sell him.

This is the performance of this buddy's lack of emotional intelligence. Don't say that the news has not been confirmed, even if the team is about to sell him, he must perform well to increase his bargaining chips.

A good performance is a win-win situation. If the team sells for a good price, he can go to a team that values ​​​​him.

With his talent, it is still possible to go to an ordinary team to be the second and third point or something.

If the opponent lacks core players, the Cavaliers will fall behind instead.

The Cavaliers were not too anxious. James scored 21 points in the first quarter and his state exploded. However, he must have some minor physical problems. David Blatt did not dare to use it as usual.

Otherwise, if he was really hurt, he would have to spray James fans to death.

The Cavaliers' bench is not strong, and the Pelicans are useless. As a result, Luke Babbitt will continue to stay on the court, just like scoring points for James.

Relatively speaking, Zhang Xiaotian's matchup against Tyreke Evans is much more difficult.

After switching back to the main force, the Cavaliers quickly overtook the score, but at the last moment Ryan Anderson hit consecutive three-pointers and turned the score over.

The other party lacked a core and they hadn't taken it with a strong force. Zhang Xiaotian felt the mood of Thunder yesterday.

During the intermission, the Cavaliers redesigned their defensive strategy and focused on the perimeter, focusing on Evans and Ryan Anderson.

If you can't keep up with the inside line, then switch defenses, or play one big and four small.

Although Ryan Anderson is tall, he basically floats outside the three-point line. The defensive effect of outside players may be better. At worst, let James play, and Zhang Xiaotian can switch defenses.

In the second half, the Pelicans also strengthened their defense, mainly because of Love.

Love also played well in the first half, basically due to the misplacement.

As for James, the Pelicans have basically given up treatment, and at most they can help defend inside.

As a result, at the beginning of the second half, the styles of both sides changed, from fighting offense to fighting defense.

The Cavaliers should have been able to tear through the Pelicans' defense, but Irving's touch was surprisingly poor. He didn't make a single shot in the first half, and he still missed all kinds of shots in the third quarter.

Waiters was sullen on the court. If he had an opportunity like Irving, how could he be so miserable? The poor kid probably doesn't know why the team doesn't give him more opportunities.

Irving didn't spend money, Love was focused on, and Zhang Xiaotian focused on defense. In this case, it is extremely difficult for the Cavaliers to chase points.

James was also depressed, scoring points on Luke Babbitt again and again.

When communicating with the coach, he said that he can play more if he is healthy, but James' health is definitely more important than a game.

Zhang Xiaotian also persuaded: "LeBron, just sit down for a while, I will tear their defense line apart."

James was speechless, "It's as if you can't play if I'm on top."

At the beginning of the fourth quarter, the Cavaliers were already behind by 7 points.

The first time Zhang Xiaotian received the ball, he showed an offensive attitude.

He pressed a step in and then pulled it straight up, just like Durant did.

He doesn't have the height of Durant, but the combined strength and wingspan, whether it is Evans or Rivers Jr., it is very difficult to interfere with him.

The point is, his previous performances confuse the Pelicans' defense.

In 3 minutes, the Cavaliers went from being 7 points behind to only 1 point away, and the Pelicans were forced to make adjustments.

(End of this chapter)