The strongest champion puzzle

Chapter 78 Youth Storm
With Leonard showing his superstar temperament, the duel between Zhang Xiaotian and Jimmy Butler was like a chicken pecking at each other, which did not attract the attention of outsiders.

On February 2, the Spurs went to Cleveland to play against the Cavaliers.

Taking advantage of playing underdogs like the Cavaliers, Duncan and Ginobili all came back.

Leonard may be a little melancholy, waiting for his matchup with Irving in the same class.

All of the above were guesses by Zhang Xiaotian. Leonard didn't show any different emotions at all, as if he wasn't the player who was praised by the media after the game.

Although the Cavaliers have a bad record, Kyrie Irving, Dion Waiters, Tyler Zeller and Tristan Thompson are all going to participate in the Rookie Challenge, well, Irving will also participate in the All-Star Game.

The Spurs also have Leonard and Zhang Xiaotian this time, and the All-Star Weekend is coming soon, and fans also want to see this kind of genius duel in advance.

It would be great if Zhang Xiaotian was also a starter like the other five.

The Cavaliers have five starters and four rookies, and it is a miracle that all four of them were selected into the rookie game.

Zhang Xiaotian also finally understood that this does not depend on the record.

But at the beginning of this game, the Cavaliers played better. They passed the ball so smoothly in the offense that the audience almost couldn't figure out which side was the Spurs.

The Spurs didn't stabilize the score until they entered the rotation and Ginobili hit two superstars.

However, the Cavaliers' substitutes also played well. Players such as CJ Miles, Marreese Speights, and Sean Livingston all performed well.

To be honest, the Cavaliers' offensive talent is not bad, but their defensive habits are not very good.

Zhang Xiaotian didn't have an advantage against an experienced player like CJ Miles, and the opponent was left-handed. He was a little uncomfortable at first, but he also seized the opportunity to hit a three-pointer.

After the main players returned to the court in the second quarter, the Cavaliers unexpectedly took the initiative again. Tyler Zeller pulled out several times and made mid-range shots. The other thing is Dion Waiters. His athletic ability is really great , it doesn't matter whether it is reasonable or not, Danny Green is a little confused.

So at the end of halftime, the one behind was the Spurs with all the big guys back.

On the other hand, Leonard, who can only focus on defense, gave the opponent two big caps. I don't know if he only played a core game and was a little upset.

Faced with the underdogs, Popovich must be unhappy. During the intermission, a group of tall guys were honestly scolded.

In the second half, the Spurs' defensive rotation improved a lot. Popovich squeezed his chin, and secretly felt a little complacent. These guys really wanted to be trained.

The Spurs' defense strengthened, and the Cavaliers' offense could no longer flow smoothly.

Irving hit the iron several times in singles and had to switch to Waiters for singles.

Waiters still feels good in this game. He is also a nerve knife, and it is difficult to defend when he is accurate.

As the team's first scoring point, Parker certainly couldn't bear the arrogance of a rookie.

The two immediately started a scoring battle. They were both very threatening on the offensive end, but Parker was more experienced, and his shooting percentage was relatively reasonable.

But the biggest difference is the defense of the two teams. The Spurs defended better and basically locked the others, but the Cavaliers couldn't do it, so the Spurs quickly caught up with the score.

Something happened to the team, and the Cavaliers' rotation became bolder.

Most of their main players are aggressive rookies, but there are many experienced veterans on the bench.

When Zhang Xiaotian played again, he faced veteran Luke Walton.

Walton has a certain coping ability. After he came on the court, the Cavaliers’ offense did not fall into singles again. It’s just that Walton’s speed was too slow. After Zhang Xiaotian broke through three times in a row, Cavaliers coach Byron Scott had to adjust the lineup again. .

He played another guard and let CJ Miles play small forward.

Previously, CJ Myers used his experience to keep finding his teammates to cover and run back, which made Zhang Xiaotian suffer.

But now Zhang Xiaotian has adapted to the opponent's style of play, and with the addition of skills, CJ Miles can no longer completely get rid of him.

When the opponent ran back twice to widen the distance and then caught the ball and shot it, Zhang Xiaotian rushed over in time to interfere, causing CJ Miles to shoot hard.

One of them was also picked up by the opponent, allowing CJ Miles to go in and score two points, but Zhang Xiaotian hit another three-pointer on the offensive end, which did not give the Cavaliers a chance to overtake the score.

At the critical moment, the Spurs played Duncan's first and fourth juniors. At the second position, Popovich chose Danny Green, who had a better defense, and Zhang Xiaotian and Leonard joined forces as strikers.

At 5 minutes, the Cavaliers' Tyler Zeller pulled out again and made a shot. The score difference between the two sides was only 1 point, but then Parker fouled Irving again, and Irving had to rest after five fouls.

This game can be regarded as Parker taught Irving a lesson, what is the rhythm of the offensive first position.

But then the Spurs hit the iron with two three-pointers, and the Cavaliers succeeded in singles by Dion Waiters, and the situation changed subtly.

A group of young Cavaliers have a home field advantage and plenty of energy, and the Spurs are in danger.

Zhang Xiaotian was actually a little helpless, he also turned his back on the side twice to ask for the ball, but he didn't get it.

CJ Miles next to him is more dedicated defensively, and it is not easy to get open opportunities.

Irving, who re-entered the field, made a free throw. When the time was about to enter the last 2 minutes, the Cavaliers took the lead.

At this time, Leonard showed great power on the defensive end. First, Waiters, who came in with a big cap, and then steals Irving, who came in.

So the Spurs usually play him at the fourth position because his long arms are easy to use.

After Leonard steals the ball, he throws it to Zhang Xiaotian, who is rushing towards the opponent's half. Zhang Xiaotian speeds up and throws off CJ Miles. With a European step, he dodges Waiters and makes a layup. The Spurs lead again 94:93.

Neither Irving nor Parker made a shot. After a timeout, the Spurs replaced Danny Green with Manu Ginobili on offense.

Regardless of Ginobili's previous effects, Popovich is still willing to believe in him at critical moments.

The time was already the last minute, the Spurs were wasting time, Zhang Xiaotian and others followed the tactical requirements, and in the last 1 seconds of the attack, Parker and Leonard picked and rolled, allowing the ball to Ginobili.

The tactics came out, but Ginobili missed.

Zhang Xiaotian and Leonard rushed towards the direction where the basketball bounced out at the same time, Zhang Xiaotian blocked Tristan Thompson who was also rushing over, and Leonard got the rebound.

But I didn't expect Owen, who rushed over a step later, to raise his hand. Although there was some physical contact, the referee didn't blow the whistle, and Owen succeeded in stealing.

The Cavaliers counterattacked Waiters and dunked successfully, with only one offensive time left, the Spurs trailed by 1 point.

(End of this chapter)