The strongest champion puzzle

Chapter 458 No Miracle
On May 5, the second game between the Spurs and the Jazz began.

Originally, the Spurs thought that Parker's absence would affect them, but they didn't expect George Hill to be injured and unable to play on the Jazz.

The impact of George Hill's absence is greater than that of Parker. Zhang Xiaotian feels that the Spurs have good luck in this playoffs, and they must seize the opportunity.

Parker was absent, and the Spurs did not continue to let the first and fourth juniors start. The rookie Murray got a chance. At the same time, they adjusted Gasol back to the starting lineup just to be on the safe side.

Facts have proved that the Spurs don't need to be so cautious. The Jazz did not play at all in the first quarter when they changed the No. [-] position.

In the second quarter, both Hayward and Gobert stepped up their personal offense.

This is the right choice. The playoffs often require stars to drive them.

However, the Spurs' defensive strength will not let them shine too much.

Parker is just a point of attack, and the Spurs' defensive strength has not declined in the slightest.

At the end of the half, the Spurs led by double digits again. In the Western Conference semifinals, the strengths of the two sides were not equal.

In the third quarter, the Jazz were still active with Hayward and Gobert. Their offensive end had few routines, and they seemed relatively slow under the defense of the Spurs.

Joe Johnson also tried to rejuvenate, but Zhang Xiaotian's care made him feel old.

They did not catch up with the score in the third quarter, and they also knew that there were not many opportunities.

The Jazz were still working hard, and Hayward only rested for more than two minutes in the second half, but when Zhang Xiaotian led the Spurs to a small climax at the beginning of the last quarter, the opponent knew that the game was lost again.

Weakness on the offensive end is the Jazz's Achilles' heel.

Jazz coach Snyder seemed a little helpless after the game, "They led us lightning-fast at the beginning. After that start, we played a little desperate and a little anxious."

"Heyward is actually playing more aggressively, and his ability to read the game is better than before."

"We don't want to find any reason for the current situation of 0-2 behind. We need to make up our minds to play better in the future."

Popovich did not talk much about the game after the game, "Our players played very well in this game. It is a joy to win the game, but unfortunately our main point guard Parker is injured and cannot Playing alongside us, but he's still a great player."

Zhang Xiaotian made a joke, "We will follow Bobo's leadership and take down all our opponents."

On the same day, the Wizards beat the Celtics and tied the score at 1:2.

Of the four groups in the second round, it can be said that only their group has the closest strength.

This is a playoff without a dark horse. If you want to move forward, you must beat your opponent steadily.

The game between the two teams was full of fouls. In the first three games, there were a total of 8 personal technical fouls, 3 people were sent off, and Thomas Jr. of the Celtics was knocked out of his teeth, and the audience was bleeding.

"I guess this is the playoff game. We don't like them, and they don't like us. No matter what happened in the regular season, it was brought into the playoffs." Thomas Jr. thinks the Wizards really played well dirty.

Gortat said the Celtics are a dirty team: "We can't fall into each other's game mode: pushing each other, talking trash."

He said with confidence, "If they play a small lineup, then I have to dominate, and I must dominate the inside."

Wizards star Wall also said in an interview that he thought he was ignored by the referee in the process of attacking the basket aggressively.

But he also said, "I guess the two teams just don't like each other. We are two teams that try to compete and win."

Celtics coach Stevens said calmly, "I think our entire team could have done better, I could have coached better myself, and we could have all done better."

Only one group is close in strength, which means that the outcome of the other three groups is difficult to change.

Coming to the away game, the Cavaliers still dealt with the Raptors in a desperate manner.

Although DeRozan tried his best, no teammates could help him, and Lowry did not play because of a sprain.

"I like our fighting spirit. I like the way we compete. We didn't back down on the court." At this time, Raptors coach De Casey can only have some chicken soup.

"G4 is a game of dignity," Casey said. "No one wants to be swept, especially on their own home court. I think our players will show the fighting spirit they deserve. We have played like this all season. , We know what kind of opponent we are facing and what to do."

"This is another chance for us." DeRozan also said when talking about the next game, "We can't think about the probability that the teams that were 3-0 before were eliminated. Now we have another one. Opportunity, that's the most important thing, what we have to do is seize this opportunity."

On the other side, the attitude of the Cavaliers is completely different.

"Seriously speaking, I don't need to prove anything." James said, "I already have a championship, I won the first championship trophy and I also won the championship for my teammates. Brought them a trophy and I have nothing more to prove."

"I just want to get better and I love getting better in the game more than anything."

In the game between the Warriors and the Rockets, the Warriors also gained a 3:0 advantage.

It's just that compared to the Cavaliers, the Warriors' victory is not so easy.

Under Harden's performance, the Rockets have a chance to win. They once took the lead in the final quarter, but Curry and Durant's performance above the All-Star level ended the game.

Harden couldn't hide his disappointment after the game, "We let the victory slip away, rebounding and execution may be the main reason why we let the victory slip away."

"But we still have a chance, we have to defend the home court."

Regarding the Rockets' loss, head coach D'Antoni said that the players just failed to hit the key ball. "I think the players may be tired at the last moment, but everyone has gone all out. The team had a chance to win."

Regarding the rotation issue, D'Antoni said, "I don't think too much about it yet, but I will. Tomorrow may be the day after tomorrow and I will let you know, it may increase or it may not, and I don't now. You know, after being asked by you, my first reaction was that I should increase the rotation, but no, it's too early to say that now."

Durant, who performed well on the Warriors side, said domineeringly: "I just let my instinct take over the game. Defense is what we should talk about. We restricted the Rockets in the second half."

The acting coach Brown is also very happy, "The calmness of the players is very good, and this is due to the leaders of our team."

(End of this chapter)