The strongest champion puzzle

Chapter 292 Fighting against the Western Powers
During the team's losing streak last time, the injury problem scared the Cavaliers into a cold sweat.

Now that there is less than one-third of the game left, the Cavaliers must of course protect the players, and the rotation arrangement has appeared.

Not only James, but Irving and Zhang Xiaotian, who had previously been injured and truceed, also arranged back-to-back rest.

Love, who has less and less ball distribution, led the team alone, but the Cavaliers' current tactics restrict him more, and James' younger brothers don't respect him that much. As a result, he took too many shots this time, but JR Smith and others There were also many shots, and the Cavaliers lost to the Pacers in a tangled situation.

At this time, the Cavaliers don't care so much about the outcome. The key is for the players to adjust their state and prepare for the playoffs.

As for whether to compete for the first place in the Eastern Conference, there is no need to be deliberate. Ensuring the strength of the team is the key.

There are relatively few days in February, and the game in March ushered in after the Pacers.

The Rockets also won a game against the Cavaliers when Zhang Xiaotian was injured, and the Rockets this season are really strong. They signed Josh Smith some time ago to make the lineup even stronger, with almost no weaknesses.

There are internal and external substitutes, offense and defense. The only situation is that Harden, the core of the team, has not proved himself in the playoffs.

However, in this game, Howard was unable to play due to injury, which caused a slight problem with the Rockets' defense.

Fortunately, the Rockets' record has not been greatly affected, and Motai Yunas and Terrence Jones also played well in the paint.

The current situation in the West is that the Warriors have the largest record. The rankings of the Rockets, Clippers, Spurs, Grizzlies, Trail Blazers, and Mavericks will change at any time. The Thunder can only compete with the Pelicans for eighth.

The East is also divided into three grades, but ten teams are competing for a place in the playoffs.

Of course, the fact that the Cavaliers and Hawks are in the same category is because of the team's strength. In terms of record, the Hawks are several games ahead, but the Cavaliers are several games ahead of No.3.

The Bulls, Raptors, and Wizards, who were originally similar to the Cavaliers, have fallen during this period. The Bucks, Nets, Celtics, Pacers, and Heat are competing for the last three spots in the playoffs.

Although there are still more than [-] games left, the remaining teams are only theoretically possible.

It's like this every season. After the All-Stars, the teams that will compete for the playoffs will become clear. Others who have ideas can only wait for the operation in the summer.

The Rockets Howard can't play, and the Cavaliers can't play Irving either.

Irving's style of play has accumulated injuries on his body, and by this time in the season, the team will definitely want him to take care of him.

His condition is the same as that of Wade last season, and James' back also needs to be raised. On the contrary, Zhang Xiaotian's situation has not been repeated for the time being.

The team let Dellavedova start. Compared with Irving, Dellavedova's offensive end is much worse.

Because James can organize the Cavaliers, the requirements for backup guards are not so high, and the Cavaliers' offense will definitely be affected to a certain extent.

When the game started, Zhang Xiaotian felt the pain.

He only now understands what is not slippery. Harden doesn't seem to be fast, but the rhythm in the offense is very painful. The key is that this guy is still a master foul maker. Zhang Xiaotian wanted to fight with his body, but he was beaten Deng Yin once.

Think about James' defense against Harden in the All-Stars, and he can't limit it. Although he didn't do his best, it can be seen that Harden is difficult to deal with on the offensive end.

Zhang Xiaotian had a feeling that it would be better to defend Kobe than defending Harden, since Kobe was hard at work anyway.

But just think about it, in the face of any goal, Zhang Xiaotian will go all out.

It's just that he hasn't encountered this type before. If he wants to defend this level of opponent well, he must be familiar with his rhythm.

Concentrate, first force yourself to follow, and then interfere.

This is a very tiring thing, Zhang Xiaotian is not rigid, and he didn't meet in the playoffs. When he couldn't keep up with energy, he would follow the advice and switch defenses.

Howard is not here, Harden is the only core of the Rockets, and it is necessary to consume the opponent's core in turn.

Whether Dellavedova, JR Smith or Shumpert, they can all contribute.

The Rockets' defense is better than last season, but Howard's absence is less of a deterrent.

In the first quarter, the two sides couldn't defend each other, whether it was outside or inside.

The Rockets mainly get points from Harden and the two insiders, while the Cavaliers are relatively smooth except Dellavedova.

Compared to the consumption on the defensive end, Zhang Xiaotian was much more relaxed when attacking.

Harden's defense can't be said to be bad, but this buddy is not concentrating on the defensive end, Zhang Xiaotian also took the opportunity to make a few easy shots.

In the second quarter, the defenses of both sides became more targeted, and it became more difficult to score.

Although Irving is not in the Cavaliers, the main lineup still suppresses the opponent. Terrence Jones' defense is also good, but he still has a little less experience in suppressing James.

It's just that the Rockets' substitutes are better. Josh Smith and Corey Brewer both played well, but JR Smith hits iron frequently.

This is also the reason why the Cavaliers lack a strong point. It is not a problem to be led by the Rockets by 3 points in the first half. In the second half, the main players will play more. The key is to limit Harden.

After half-time thinking, Zhang Xiaotian also had some experience, but said that it is impossible to completely lock Harden.

In this way, if the Cavaliers want to have an advantage, they still have to find a way from the offensive end.

If the outside line is not punctual, James will increase his personal offense, and it will definitely be the same in the second half.

Zhang Xiaotian also talked with James for a while. Now the outside world is saying that the west is strong and the east is weak. Neither of them wants the team to be swept away by the Western Conference.

Today James has a strong impact, but his touch is not very good. If Zhang Xiaotian supplements from the outside, it will be much easier to win the opponent.

In the third quarter, Zhang Xiaotian's defense against Harden was more stringent, but it was not so easy to adapt to the rhythm, and he was accidentally fouled by the opponent.

Because he will basically play the full fourth quarter, and he will not play so long in the third quarter.

When he was off the court, it was Shumpert who came up to mark Harden.

Unexpectedly, Shumpert, who is usually not aggressive in defense, was fouled twice by Harden. Relying on free throws, Harden scored in double figures easily.

James also won a few free throws, but he was not very accurate today.

James is too powerful, which makes many people envious, but it also makes his free throws a bit stiff.

In this way, the Rockets' lead has expanded to 6 points, and the pressure on the Cavaliers has increased a lot.

At the beginning of the fourth quarter, Zhang Xiaotian led the team alone, and the Rockets sent Corey Brewer to defend him.

This is also something that Zhang Xiaotian rarely encounters. The defense of the substitute is better than that of the main force.

However, it is not difficult for him to limit Corey Brewer. Except for Tristan Thompson, the Cavaliers' substitutes at this time are all outside. Zhang Xiaotian also has an idea in his mind.

(End of this chapter)