The strongest champion puzzle

Chapter 459
The game between the Spurs and the Jazz was at the bottom again. On May 5, the Spurs came to Utah, the home of the Devil.

Zhang Xiaotian heard the shouts of the opponent's fans in the locker room, but he was completely used to it.

Home field advantage is there, but in the playoffs, sometimes it doesn't work.

It was still the Spurs who took the lead, and the Spurs sometimes slowed down, but after Zhang Xiaotian came back, this situation has been relatively much less.

However, the Jazz who returned to the home court were more resilient, and the situation occurred during the rotation period.

After Gasol returned to the starting lineup, the offensive power of the Spurs' bench dropped a bit, allowing the Jazz to seize the opportunity.

At the end of halftime, they took the lead for the first time. Although it was only a single digit, the morale of the Jazz was high.

Popovich must have been dissatisfied, and scolded the team's defense during the intermission.

Hayward actually defended well. This time, the Jazz's role players played well.

The Spurs players did take it for granted, because the opponent's role players did not perform well in the first two games, so they were careless.

"Everyone, don't be negligent, our opponents all won very well." Zhang Xiaotian stood up and exercised his responsibility as a leader.

Although there is some disrespect for the current opponents, the Spurs really only have teams with outstanding performance in the playoffs such as the Warriors and Cavaliers. Popovich also turned a blind eye to this point.

In the third quarter, the Spurs adjusted their defensive strategy and resolutely did not attack.

Instead of letting the Jazz revitalize the team, it is better to let Hayward play star basketball. Hayward is good, but he is still two grades away from playing this way.

Hayward's performance in the playoffs this time can be said to be very good. Even Leonard's strict defense cannot completely limit him, but it is enough.

Hayward's personal score continued to rise, but the Spurs took the opportunity to overtake the score.

The Jazz saw the problem too, but they had no way to respond effectively.

Gobert is also strong, but his offensive ability is insufficient. Joe Johnson is completely useless when he meets the Spurs. Even if he returns to the bench and staggers Zhang Xiaotian, he will be restricted by Danny Green.

The Jazz had no choice but to fight desperately, with Hayward and Gobert playing on top, relying on them both for offense and defense, while the others took turns and even deliberately created physical entanglements.

It's just that for the Spurs, these are not very useful.

Especially the two main generals Zhang Xiaotian and Leonard, they are not afraid of physical contact at all.

Entering the fourth quarter, Zhang Xiaotian had a tendency to open the score with a rotation lineup.

Not only is he scoring sharply himself, but he is also very threatening when passing the ball to a few forts outside.

The Jazz are tired of defense, and the offensive end is getting more and more unable to keep up.

When all the main players of the Spurs played, the Jazz once again felt powerless.

At the last moment, they also increased their three-pointers in anticipation of a miracle, but this was not what they were good at. With Zhang Xiaotian's three-pointer extending the Spurs' lead to double digits, the Jazz could only accept their fate.

Zhang Xiaotian and Leonard scored 60 points together. This is in front of the Jazz who is desperately defending. With such a strong strength, the Jazz really has nothing to do.

In this game, Mills assumed the responsibility of the team's No. [-] position, and he also hit many key shots.

After the game, he said, "This is a fierce victory. Every player on the field has brought an impact to the game and assumed their roles. I just try to make my teammates have a good game energy and game atmosphere, To let everyone know that no matter what the circumstances may be, we can still win the game."

When Jazz coach Snyder was interviewed by reporters, he was a little desperate, "These are two of the best players in the league. They scored incredible goals when the team needed them. Sometimes you can Do everything you can and get beaten by a player who can play great."

In terms of the means of defeating the Clippers, Snyder's means are not bad, but he met the Spurs.

On May 5, the Cavaliers were the first team to complete a sweep again.

Although Corey Joseph, who replaced Lowry, performed almost flawlessly, the Raptors still lost.

They couldn't limit James, and the result was doomed from the beginning.

After the game, Cavaliers head coach Lu was in high spirits, "The closing game is always difficult. I respect Coach Casey very much. All their players are fully prepared."

"But in the second half of the season, James came to another level completely, he led the team forward, and now he takes us flying."

Irving said: "We know this will never be an easy thing, the game will always be very intense, for us, we want to end the series, for them, this is their last chance, so they Will do their best, and they do, and you have to respect them for that."

"And what we're thinking about is going out there, getting a win and resting for a few days to get ready for the next round."

"When James shoots that kind of three-pointer, the Cavaliers are hard to beat. I'm not saying they can't beat them, but it will become very, very difficult." Raptors coach Casey lamented.

"The floor is so open, especially when Channing Frye and Kyle Korver are on the court, the space will become more open, and then Irving will become sharper on the dribble. They are on the offensive end. Gave us a lot of trouble and you had to score 117 or 118 to beat them because they had so many offensive weapons."

"These offenses are all initiated by James, he can stretch the floor, he plays like a point forward, he is one of the best players ever at this position."

Coach Casey's words are normal, but DeRozan has obviously given up treatment. He said in an interview: "If our team has LeBron James, we can win easily like this."

In fact, Zhang Xiaotian also feels that the Cavaliers are getting better and better after entering the playoffs. The chemical reaction between James and Irving is very stable, but the Cavaliers' weaknesses are still obvious.

Their defense is weaker than both the Spurs and the Warriors. A strong team is not without weaknesses, but their strengths can cover up their weaknesses.

Of course, the Spurs don't need to consider the Cavaliers for the time being.

If nothing else happens, after they break through to the Western Conference Finals, their opponent will be the Warriors. The offensive end is at the same level as the playoffs Cavaliers, but the firepower distribution is more reasonable, and the defensive end is stronger.

So they have to get rid of the Jazz quickly and prepare for the battle.

In the other group, the Celtics and Wizards are still fighting happily. It is still completely unclear who will have the chance to compete with the Cavaliers for the strongest in the Eastern Conference.

(End of this chapter)