The strongest champion puzzle

Chapter 412
The Bulls' lineup is not bad, but the start results did not meet expectations.

For no other reason, the run-in was not particularly successful, and some of the tongue-in-cheek talk during the transaction became reality.

It is difficult to distribute the ball, and the three-point shooting ability is not good, which is the problem that the Bulls are showing now.

The Bulls' offense wasn't very good in the first place, and the changes in the summer didn't improve this point. To be honest, Jimmy Butler, the boss, lacked a bit of arrogance. He only knew how to play by himself, and he wasn't that good at leading the team.

Zhang Xiaotian is still more comfortable in the Spurs. Popovich's authority may make some players feel uncomfortable, but it actually relieves the pressure on the core players.

Zhang Xiaotian didn't intend to compete with the old man for power, but he lived quite comfortably.

With the Bulls' current lineup, Zhang Xiaotian is going to face Wade.

If it was Wade at his peak, it would be really difficult to deal with, the Flash is too fast, but now Wade, Zhang Xiaotian can keep up.

In the first quarter, the two sides were completely caught in defense. Jimmy Butler and Leonard consumed each other, and all other positions were also defended to death. It could only be Zhang Xiaotian.

Zhang Xiaotian is also not easy to deal with, the Bulls have enough experience to break through.

It is difficult for James to deal with it, but Zhang Xiaotian has a solution, which is to fire from the outside.

That is, the Bulls have two substitute players who can score in double figures. When it comes to the rotation period, the Spurs will suffer.

Leonard suppressed Jimmy Butler, and the Spurs' inside line was a bit disappointing again, especially Aldridge, who would hit iron when he encountered a tougher opponent.

Where did the murderous Aldridge go? Zhang Xiaotian felt that this buddy was still a bit psychologically burdened, especially Zhang Xiaotian and Leonard were obviously better than him. He, the so-called Big Three, couldn't hold on.

There is no way, athletes who are not hard enough in their hearts need to be cared by the coach slowly, and he cannot be counted on in this game.

The Bulls have changed a few players, but the style has not changed. The best way to defend like a meat grinder is to shoot from the outside. The key is that they are not so tired.

At this time, Mills is easier to use than Parker, and Danny Green is barely.

In the first half, it was not so fast to adjust, but in the second half, the style of play must be changed.

In the first two quarters, neither side had a double-figure scorer. Zhang Xiaotian's hand feeling in this game was also average, mainly due to the fact that he went in a few times and didn't do it well.

If it weren't for the opponent's home court, he would definitely be able to make a few more free throws.

During the intermission, Popovich also made tactical arrangements with a serious face.

If the two insiders can't play well with the ball, then just be a senior blue-collar.

Popovich also knows that Aldridge needs to be coaxed, but sometimes he just gets angry.

On the contrary, Gasol's mental quality is very good, but he can't handle it when he is old.

At the beginning of the third quarter, the Spurs tried to speed up. The Spurs are not dead-brained. Although most of the time they are targeted in the third quarter, they have done a good enough defense against a team like the Bulls. The key is the offensive end.

Zhang Xiaotian played a key role in changing the rhythm.

Not only his outside shooting ability, but also his additional skills.

There are more gaps for speeding up, the ball he passes can increase the hit rate, and the assists are quicker.

Outsiders can't understand the difference between cheating and ability. Even Popovich would think that Zhang Xiaotian has excellent organizational skills.

Both Mills and Green were great beneficiaries. They were already good at three-pointers, but their shooting percentage was a bit unstable. Zhang Xiaotian passed the ball in time, and the Spurs became scary on the offensive end.

Of course, after speeding up, the defense will definitely not be as tight as before.

However, a basketball game is not about attacking or defending, but overwhelming the opponent. As long as you score more than your opponent, offense and defense are just means.

Under the smooth offense of the Spurs, the Bulls gradually repaid the advantage they took in the first half, but at the end of the third quarter, the Bulls still took the lead temporarily.

The biggest reason is that Jimmy Butler has finally returned to normal.

However, this is just a return to normal, and the Bulls are good at defense.

At the beginning of the last quarter, the Bulls resolutely pinched Zhang Xiaotian.

The Spurs' three-pointer in the third quarter had begun to disrupt the situation, but at this time they still focused on Zhang Xiaotian.

They also attached great importance to Zhang Xiaotian's characteristics.

But Zhang Xiaotian immediately sent out two consecutive assists, and the Spurs' three-pointers felt better and better.

On the Bulls side, McDermott and Wade both missed three-pointers, and they had no choice but to replace Jimmy Butler in less than 2 minutes.

A core like Jimmy Butler can improve the team's defense even if the offense doesn't explode.

The Spurs were not hypocritical, Leonard played at the same time.

Immediately afterwards, the pick-and-roll cooperation between Zhang Xiaotian and Leonard scored 4 points in a row, but the Bulls were also full of resilience. They grabbed two offensive rebounds in a row and did not allow the Spurs to easily turn the score.

In terms of rebounds, the Spurs have no choice. In fact, the Bulls do not have any rebounding champions, but they all have excellent rebounds in five positions. After all, Rondo is the first position and Wade is the second position.

The two sides are clearly at a stalemate. Although it feels like the Spurs' offense is easier, the result is hard to say if the score is not overturned.

After halftime, the two sides also came up with the final desperate lineup.

The Spurs still used double inside lanes to ensure rebounds. When attacking, the two inside lanes were used to pull outside, making room for Zhang Xiaotian and Leonard to break through.

The ability to break through the ball is still better than Zhang Xiaotian, so Leonard can be at ease as the finishing point.

I have to say that the Spurs' lineup seemed to be unable to win rebounds at the beginning, but in the end it didn't.

Sometimes there is no need to fight directly inside, and the same is true for Zhang Xiaotian and Leonard who get stuck in the position.

The opponent is also Jimmy Butler and Rondo active, but at this time, it is not easy to win against Zhang Xiaotian.

Of course, the Spurs' trump card is offense.

The ball is basically in the hands of Zhang Xiaotian and Leonard, but it is not impossible for others to score.

After hitting the Bulls' defense several times, the Bulls' defensive attention was completely brought over.

At this time, Zhang Xiaotian suddenly began to pass to other teammates.

First, Danny Green hit a three-pointer, and then Gasol also hit one. At 2 minutes and 26 seconds, after Zhang Xiaotian hit 2+1, the Spurs had already led by 5 points.

At the last moment, the Spurs' lineup once again became one big and four small, and the Bulls also added an outside scoring point. The Bulls then got three free throws, but the hope was only fleeting.

For more than a minute at the critical moment, Zhang Xiaotian and Leonard defended the Bulls with two scoring points. Wade and Jimmy Butler hit the iron consecutively, and the outcome is clear.

(End of this chapter)