i have a coaching book

Chapter 192 The Second Round Begins

The Cleveland Cavaliers won the tiebreaker 4-3 and advanced to the second round in a thrilling manner.

However, the Indiana Pacers, the opponent that the Cleveland Cavaliers are about to face, cleanly swept the New York Knicks led by Marbury, the "No. 4 point guard in the world", with a score of 0-[-]. , Waiting for the decision of another group of opponents.

In the Eastern Theater, other games have already been decided. The New Jersey Nets eliminated the Miami Heat led by Wade 4-1.

The Detroit Pistons defeated the Milwaukee Bucks led by Redd 4-1.

In the Western Theater, on May 5, the second round has already started early. The first battle is the Los Angeles Lakers vs. San Antonio Spurs.

The Los Angeles Lakers beat Yao Ming's team 4-1 cleanly, and the Lakers' opponent, the Spurs, was also very sophisticated and easily eliminated the Memphis Grizzlies with a score of 4-0.

In the other matchup, the "three-headed monster" of the Sunisota Timberwolves easily defeated Anthony's Denver Nuggets 4-1. Then, the Sacramento Kings defeated the Dallas Mavericks in 5 games and advanced to the second place. wheel.

On the 5th and 6th, the Cleveland Cavaliers headed to Indiana to challenge the Pacers in the second round of the playoffs away.

Before the game, the media was unanimously optimistic that the Pacers would repel the Cavaliers and keep their home court advantage. The main reasons are as follows:

First, from the first round of the matchup, the Cavaliers are very bad at away games, and the Pacers play at home, taking a very large initiative.

Second, the Cavaliers have played all 7 games, and their physical fitness is doubtful. Facing the Pacers who have only played 4 games and are waiting for work, it is estimated that they will not be able to please.

Third, the Pacers have Artest, Jermaine O'Neal, and Reggie Miller. Artest and Jermaine O'Neal are at their peak. They need experience, skills, and veterans. Reggie Miqin's key ball ability is so strong that it is difficult to lose.

The statistics of James, Boozer and Ilgauskas of the Cavaliers look better than the three stars of the Pacers, but James is still young after all, and he lacks combat experience!
Even Ilgauskas' playoff experience is the second time, not to mention Boozer, a rookie in 02, James 03 and other rookies.

Fourth, it is the lineup comparison between the two sides. The Pacers also have the upper hand. After all, the Pacers have always been on the road to the championship, and the Cavaliers have been on the road to the draft pick for many years.

However, it is not that the Cavaliers have no chance of an upset win, because the Cavaliers played four games against the Pacers in the regular season, lost three games and won one game.

Fortunately, the Cavaliers did not lose a lot of points, and they did not lose more than 10 points. In the four games added up, the score gap between the two teams is almost always within one goal, and it is often the lore shot. The loser loses.

Not to mention, James played very well in the game against the Pacers, showing his superstar qualities. In four games, he averaged more than 30 points and 5 assists per game.

Therefore, the outcome of this series of matches is still full of suspense.

At 9:2003 in the evening, the Bankers Life Arena, the 04-[-] season, the second round of the playoffs, the Cleveland Cavaliers will start the game against the Indiana Pacers.

After a simple appearance ceremony and a warm-up for shooting layups, the two starting five came to the field and came to the middle circle of the court, ready to start a scrimmage.

The Cavaliers starting players list, lined up, are point guard LeBron James, shooting guard Jeff McGinnis, small forward Elke Williams, power forward Carlos Boozer, center Zajunas-Ilgauskas.

The Pacers' starting five are point guard Kenny Anderson, shooting guard Reggie Miller, small forward Ron Artest, power forward Jermaine O'Neal, and center Jeff Foster.

"Beep!!"

With a crisp whistle sounded.

The referee tossed the basketball high, and the game officially began with a scrum!
Ilgauskas VS Jermaine O'Neal! !
In the duel of the representative players of the 96 golden generation, Jermaine O'Neal has outstanding talent and excellent jumping. However, he is only 211cm tall. Facing the standout, in the jump ball, Ilgauskas, who is alone and seeking defeat, can only lose.

Ilgauskas jumped easily and put the basketball into James' hands.

With long legs, James quickly advanced the frontcourt, but encountered Artest's close defense, and James' desire to fight back quickly fell through.

Facing Artest's flawless defense, James did not move easily, but slowly dribbled the ball looking for opportunities, and waited for his teammates to settle down by the way.

The Pacers defended man-to-man tactics, and the defense was very oppressive, and they spared no effort to entangle.

James knew the strength of the Pacers' forward and defensive line, so he didn't hit indiscriminately, but directly hoisted the basketball into the interior.

In the low position on the left, Ilgauskas catches the ball and backs the frame, ready to single out the opponent.

Jeff Foster made a standard defensive posture, his body center of gravity sank, his left hand rested on Ilgauskas' waist, and his right hand was raised, blocking the ball path without giving an inch.

Ilgauskas squeezed deep with his back, swung his shoulders left and right, stepped on his feet nimbly, turned around and wiped under the basket, took off with one step, picked it up casually, and easily sent the basketball into the basket.

2 to 0! !
The Cavaliers attacked, and James and Ilgauskas were still connected, taking the lead in opening up the situation from the inside and winning the first place.

Kenny Anderson dribbled the ball to the frontcourt, passed the ball to Reggie Miller on the right side of the 65-degree three-point line, received the ball and directly lifted the basketball high, making a three-point shooting posture, standing with both feet, bending knees and taking off slightly .

Reggie Miller's three-point shooting ability is astonishing. Isn't the "Miller Moment" a vain name, and the precise three-point shooting must be played in front of him?

McNigins could only move his feet quickly, reaching out to greet Reggie Miller's face overwhelmingly.

Moved one step sideways, pulled the ball down, Reggie Miller moved his feet, and immediately dribbled the ball to the inside to break through. He immediately stopped and jumped in the horn area, drew the bow and set the arrow, and shot a two-pointer with a fallback jumper.

There was a bang, and the basketball shot flew out.

O'Neal Jr. stuck to Boozer under the left basket, sent the basketball into the basket like a magic soldier, and made a two-pointer.

2 to 2! !
The Pacers' inside strength also showed impressive prowess, and they quickly made a tip-up and returned the favor.

Offensive and defensive transition, James dribbled the ball to the frontcourt, immediately rushed into the middle of Artest, used the speed to get inside the three-point line, dribbled the ball while walking, shot the basketball from the left to the right, and moved one step laterally .

Artest has good footsteps, strong strength, and rich experience. He also moved laterally and pushed up with his chest.

James made a crab step, put Artest on his shoulders, and wanted to move domineeringly into the inside.

However, the crab step is Artest's famous stunt. With his reputation of breaking two of Jordan's ribs in a confrontation with Jordan in his rookie period, it is not too easy to bully others with his body!
James actually dare to play tricks?

I saw Artest's ferocity, and directly greeted him with heavy shoulders, like a wild beast,
Use your body to engage in a brutal fist-to-flesh confrontation with James.

(End of this chapter)