The invincible kryptonite of basketball

However, as Stevens expected, they didn't go to the neutral mid-range area to shoot!

Terry's last three-point catch was interfered and missed the basket!

McGee's defensive position has been greatly improved. The ball stuck Capela and received a defensive rebound.

The Pelicans counterattacked. Dinwiddie threw away Terry in the fast break and confidently flew to the layup to score.

The Pelicans tied the score!

Chapter 7: Your defense is as soft as a woman (first update!)

Tang Tian turned his head to look at Stevens at this time, with a smile on the corner of his mouth.

The seemingly similar tactics really have a feeling of overlapping Popovich.

This saved him a lot of energy.

In the next few minutes, the Rockets didn't feel like playing, and the Pelicans built a lead instead, forcing D'Antoni to call a timeout.

Because the Pelicans have a strong defensive system, the Rockets' defensive counterattack is difficult to fight, which greatly reduces their magic ball play.

This is why Stevens can limit the Rockets' offense with a 2-1-2 zone defense.

Limit your defensive counterattacks, and then pinch your position to attack. Stevens has the upper hand in the fight with D'Antoni.

Back from the timeout, both sides replaced their main players.

At this time, the Rockets made tactical adjustments on the offensive end.

It is still playing magic ball, but the offensive starting point has been transferred from Paul and Harden on the outside to Cousins ​​on the inside.

Cousins ​​hit Jokic with the ball on his back, and after arching hard to the basket with strength, he turned around and hit the board continuously to score.

Although he never made the playoffs with the Kings, Cousins ​​was definitely the top three or even the number one center in the league before his injury.

Although Jokic completed muscle gain in the summer, the upper limit against this area is still much weaker than that of Cousins.

He didn't defend it, but looking back, Jokic showed his talent on the offensive end. He sent a second pass from outside the arc top three-point line, and Davis caught the ball and broke through for a dunk.

Looking back, Paul pushed forward and continued to hand the ball to Cousins.

From the adjustment after the timeout, it can be seen that there is a gap between D'Antoni's tactical level and Stevens.

He is basically a fresh move, playing bombardment during the Suns, and playing magic balls in the Rockets.

But these two periods have one thing in common. There are superstars in the team. When the game is not going well, just hand the ball to the superstar.

Now that the outside line can't score, the ball is constantly being given to the inside Cousins.

Because of the Rockets' containment on the perimeter, Tucker squatted in the bottom corner and pulled Davis very close to the bottom corner, and it was difficult for the Pelicans to help defend.

Cousins ​​continued to play Jokic in the low post.

Jokic's center of gravity was very low this time, Cousins ​​didn't move too much, and chose to turn around and shoot.

Jokic's reaction speed was very fast, and he quickly reached out to interfere.

"Boom."

Cousins' shot bounced off the back edge of the rim.

But he bounced very fast, and directly took off for the second time to make a tip-up.

Cousins ​​scored 4 points in a row on top of Jokic!

Jokic succeeded in gaining muscle through hard training during the offseason, and his strength, especially on the defensive end, has improved significantly.

But this time he was educated by Cousins.

It was not until this time that many fans on the scene remembered Jokic's words, but he was actually only in the second grade.

Tang Tian assisted Holiday for an air cut layup, but Cousins' strong attack opened up Jokic and scored a one-handed dunk.

He has scored 6 points in a row during this period, just like an inside behemoth.

After Tang Tian arrived in the frontcourt, he directly asked for the ball from Holiday, and then signaled Jokic to mention the high pick-and-roll and play No. 1 tactic.

Before the injury, Cousins ​​was the top among big men in terms of speed and defensive ability.

But after all, it was a traditional inside line, so it was very easy for Tang Tian to hit him, and he knew Cousins' weakness very well.

But Jokic blocked it, and the Rockets' reaction was different from what they had imagined.

Cousins ​​didn't come out, he switched directly to Davis, but Tucker switched over.

Tang Tian was dribbling the ball, and couldn't help turning his head to look at Bzdelik sitting on the sidelines.

This handsome cloth really has something to do with defense.

If Cousins ​​​​comes out of the penalty area, whether he is playing one-on-one or passing the ball to Davis who cuts in, it is an opportunity.

After all, it's impossible for Cousins ​​to guard him one-on-one, and it's definitely too late to go back when he comes out.

But Bzdelik's defensive change made Cousins ​​squat in the penalty area all the time, and the other four people assisted in the rotation, which perfectly solved this problem.

Facing Tucker, Tang Tian dribbled the ball one step at a time and hit a jumper.

Although the ball was scored, Tucker's defense was in place, and the tactical intention of the ball was completely missed.

Cousins ​​continued to single Jokic in the low post, and the shot caused the latter's thug foul.

Jokic defended very hard, but there was really a gap in the confrontation.

Stevens on the sidelines looked back at the bench, considering whether to replace Biyombo.

Cousins ​​made two free throws, and his personal scoring streak came to 8 points.

There were no substitutions on the sidelines. Stevens knew that Jokic was shy but not low-minded, and was still hesitating.

The Pelicans' offense, Tang Tian continued to call Jokic for pick-and-rolls.

Cousins ​​still couldn't come out, Tang Tian continued to signal Davis to step up the pick-and-roll.

His purpose is quite clear, and he will not stop until Cousins ​​is replaced.

But the Rockets' execution was very good. Even if Tang Tian was given room to make a move, they were determined not to let Cousins ​​out.

Tang Tian chose to break through to the basket, and double-teamed, causing Cousins' defensive foul.

"DeMarcus, when did you like to hide like a woman?"

Before walking to the free throw line, Tang Tian said to Cousins.

Cousins ​​frowned.

Most people could tell that Tang Tian's words were deliberately provocative, but Cousins' reaction was obviously angry.

Tang Tian was overjoyed when he saw this. Sure enough, Cousins ​​was still the same Cousins.

The nature of the country is easy to change, and the nature is difficult to change, and it has not changed when it comes to the Rockets.

Tang Tian hit the first free throw.

"Keep hiding like a woman, it will do you good."

Tang Tian continued to talk to Cousins.

Cousins ​​looked angry, while Tucker on the side looked at Tang Tian in surprise. He didn't know that Tang Tian had the attribute of trash talking.

Tang Tian made two free throws, and the Pelicans continued to bite the score.

Going back to the defensive end, I don't know if Tang Tian's trash talk played a role. Cousins ​​was a little anxious to play inside this time, but was successfully defended by Jokic.

Seeing this, Stevens put away the idea of ​​a substitution.

For the Pelicans' offense, Tang Tian continued to switch. This time, as soon as Jokic picked and rolled, Cousins ​​switched to Tang Tian.

His eyes were full of anger.

Tang Tian couldn't help laughing when he saw this.

Sure enough, Cousins ​​is Cousins, the man with a worse brain than Whiteside.

Bzdelik looked very surprised from the sidelines, but he didn't immediately stand up and say that Cousins ​​is a super giant in the team after all, and he needs to save face.

After his teammates pulled away, facing Cousins' continuous change of direction and acceleration, Tang Tian made an emergency stop, easily threw him off and broke through to score a dunk inside.

As a traditional big man, Cousins ​​had a really hard time keeping up with Tang Tian.

Cousins ​​shook his hand angrily.

When Tang Tian turned around, he smiled and said something to him.

"Your defense is as soft as a woman's."

Chapter 761 Paul and Cousins ​​(Second update!)

To explode a keg of dynamite, all you need is a match.

Tang Tian's words were the match.

Cousins' entire face turned green, and he was going to scold Tang Tian.

Fortunately, Tucker was observing Cousins ​​when he made a free throw in front. At this time, he flew over to hold him, and kept talking to him to calm him down.

Now the Rockets are stalemate with the Pelicans relying on Cousins' advantage in the interior. If Cousins ​​blows up the Rockets' situation on the court, it will become very unfavorable.

Tucker is small but powerful, coupled with his non-stop talking, he finally persuaded Cousins ​​temporarily.

The Rockets' offense, Paul went to the frontcourt and continued to give the ball to Cousins.

Cousins ​​slapped Jokic hard.

Although he was persuaded by Tucker, he was still full of anger, and now he went straight to Jokic to vent his anger.

There were muffled sounds as the bodies of the two confronted each other.

Cousins ​​was about to reach the penalty area, and he made a big effort to knock Jokic away and dunk directly.

At this moment, Jokic suddenly unloaded and was knocked down by Cousins.

Cousins ​​lost his focus and almost fell straight away, relying on his strong body control ability to barely stop.

"beep!"

However, the referee's whistle sounded, signaling Cousins' offensive foul.

Jokic was still lying on the ground, looked up and shook his fist excitedly after seeing the referee's gesture.

Toughness on the basketball court is not just a hard confrontation. It is a fool who knows that confrontation is not as good as it is.

Many smart players rely on strength and brains to play together.

Jokic is that type of player.

After a few rounds, he already knew that he couldn't get Cousins ​​hard now, but he could fight in other ways.

For example, like the ball just now, an offensive foul was made.

Jokic is excited, Cousins ​​​​is excited.

He swears on the spot, and then directly finds the referee to signal that he didn't throw his elbow, it's not an offensive foul.

But the referee indicated that it was outside the reasonable collision zone, which was an offensive foul.

Tucker behind him was in La Cousins, but Cousins ​​became so angry that nine bulls couldn't hold him back, let alone Tucker.

Cousins ​​almost spit in the referee's face.

The referee didn't bear it, and gave Cousins ​​a technical foul.

There were cheers at the scene.

Now the two teams are in a stalemate on the field, and this technical foul is likely to break the situation.

Cousins ​​still wanted to argue, but Paul and Harden, who were driven over, forcibly pulled back.