The strongest champion puzzle

Chapter 365 When encountering obstacles

In the first game in April, neither the Celtics nor the Warriors opened up in the first half. Zhang Xiaotian scored in double figures, which was already the highest score for both sides.

The Warriors have maintained a small lead, but half a minute before the end of the half, the Celtics scored 5 points in a row to overtake the score and entered the intermission with a 2-point advantage.

The warrior, who has always been full of confidence, suddenly felt that it was difficult to exert his strength.

The Celtics' defense is not the type that presses the outside line and has a strong defense inside. Instead, everyone desperately fights physically, which has a taste of European basketball.

But the Warriors didn't look like much, and a little backwardness was nothing to them.

After the adjustment of the intermission, Curry directly turned on the superstar mode in the third quarter.

Continuous unreasonable three-pointers finally broke the Celtics' defensive blockade.

It's just that this game is not like usual. Curry defeated his opponent as soon as he got mad. How the Celtics should play or how to play, like a robot, did not fluctuate much.

On the other hand, Thomas Jr., who was defended by the Warriors to zero eggs in the first half, also broke out with Curry, scoring 18 points in a single quarter, which is not far behind Curry's 21 points in a single quarter.

The ruthless players in the league have become ruthless, and in many cases it is difficult to limit the defense alone.

Curry scored and beat Thomas Jr., but the Celtics took a small advantage in overall scoring.

The Celtics' tactic of pulling the big man out to shoot was particularly successful in this game.

As far as the lineup is concerned, the Celtics are actually more reasonable, but they don't have players at the level of Curry and Zhang Xiaotian. The outcome depends on the last quarter of the battle.

The rotation of the two sides is similar. At the beginning of the fourth quarter, the Celtics also let Evan Turner and Zhang Xiaotian confront each other.

They believed that Zhang Xiaotian would not be as lively as other games at this time, and of course they also prepared flanking tactics.

Speaking of fatigue, Zhang Xiaotian is a little bit, but the rotation of the Warriors gave him enough rest time.

The point is, he is different from ordinary players. The improvement in strength in the final quarter can completely cover up the sequelae left by the previous fierce confrontation. The Celtics still missed some things.

Evan Turner was full of confidence and wanted to confront Zhang Xiaotian, but found that he was not Zhang Xiaotian's opponent at all.

It's just that the Celtics are really difficult to deal with. Evan Turner became an organizer when he couldn't score. Olynyk and Smart both hit consecutively.

This is also the reason for the Warriors' Iguodala truce. The quality of perimeter defense declined during the rotation period.

Seeing that Zhang Xiaotian didn't completely shock the scene, the Warriors replaced the main force one after another.

Adjust before the opponent. The Warriors will encounter such things several times during the season, but there is no need to worry about it.

The key is the shooting rate. This time the Warriors are not bad for three-pointers, but the two-point shooting rate is a mess. The Celtics' defense is very tight. There is a chance to break through and make a mid-range shot, but the shooting rate is too poor.

In the fourth quarter, Curry, who had been aggressive before, had another problem with his touch.

Sometimes this happens, and it feels good and disappears after a rest.

Logically speaking, a player of Curry's level should remember the feeling after adjusting. It can only be said that the Celtics really annoyed the Warriors.

In the last 5 minutes, the Warriors still resorted to a small lineup. Without Iguodala, although the effect of replacing Barnes is slightly worse, the offensive power can be said to be stronger.

The Celtics also adopted the same lineup, and the two sides directly fought the bayonet.

There is a problem with Curry's state. The Warriors take turns holding the ball. Curry, Zhang Xiaotian and Green play alternately.

At 2 minutes and 33 seconds, Zhang Xiaotian passed the ball to Klay Thompson, who hit a three-pointer, and the Warriors gained the initiative.

But soon Thomas Jr. and Evan Turner also hit. The Celtics were able to shoot from the outside in all five positions.

Teams that play well in team basketball have this problem in defense.

It's still not possible to say that we are determined not to switch defenses, because we don't know which one will make the last shot.

But at the last moment, this kind of team without top all-stars will have the problem of not knowing who to take responsibility for. The last minute of the game is completely different from the first minute and the middle minute.

What the Warriors have to do now is to reduce mistakes and bite the score, and use their strength to win the opponent at the last moment.

In January 1th, Curry hit the first goal of the last quarter, and the Warriors were in the lead.

Then the Celtics made an offensive foul, and Zhang Xiaotian made two free throws.

But when the Warriors wanted to take the opportunity to seal the victory, Green also made a mistake. The Celtics scored 4 points in a row and overtook 1 point.

It was already the last 10 seconds at this time, and the Warriors requested a timeout to arrange the tactics for the last shot.

Curry is still the team's first choice, whether it's holding the ball or shooting.

Zhang Xiaotian wanted to say that he was more confident, but he couldn't say such things. Curry was a big-hearted shooter. Even if he had a mediocre hand before, the Warriors could only trust him at the last moment.

Of course, Curry can also choose to split the ball. Zhang Xiaotian has also improved a lot in running off the ball this season.

After receiving the ball smoothly, it was Bradley standing in front of Curry, who could keep up with his footsteps, and would not give Curry an easy shot.

The others pulled away, and Green went up to cover.

The Celtics' defense followed closely. Bradley didn't let Draymond Green block him, and squeezed through directly, still blocking in front of Curry.

The time came to the last 5 seconds at once, and Curry did not intend to waste the time to the end.

A breakthrough feint, Curry pocketed the ball back flexibly with his wrist, stepped back and made a three-pointer.

Although the score difference is 1 point, there is nothing wrong with shooting three-pointers. Curry's three-pointers this time far exceeded two points.

However, this ball is still a bit reluctant.

There are many times when Curry can make difficult shots against the defense, but the ball is not hit.

Klay Thompson and Barnes are both in position, Draymond Green runs out after the screen, and only Zhang Xiaotian cuts in.

When Curry makes a shot, he changes the course of his weapon's run.

Since Curry decided to make the shot himself, Zhang Xiaotian's running without the ball is of little significance. Now there are only two situations, whether to enter or not, and the Warriors have an absolute advantage.

If not, Zhang Xiaotian gave the answer with action, that is to grab offensive rebounds.

The Warriors have a bunch of outside shooters, and the Celtics' only big man will also be taken out, leaving the backcourt empty.

Zhang Xiaotian has always paid attention to the placement of his teammates' shots. When the Celtics' defensive players planned to get stuck in the main position, Zhang Xiaotian had already charged.

Jumping high, dialing the offensive rebound, turning over and throwing the ball immediately after landing.

The moment the ball leaves the hand, the game time is up.

(End of this chapter)