NBA: I am the card dealer

Chapter 218: Lock in the playoffs in advance, and the battle for slots begins

After re-establishing their winning streak, the Heat were once again out of control.

Defeated the Kings, killed the Celtics, and overturned the Nets, another five-game winning streak.

The Heat became the first team to break through 50 wins this season, and their record reached an astonishing 51 wins and 13 losses, still ranking first in the league.

Simultaneously.

They also relied on this wave of winning streak to lock in a playoff spot in advance.

In other words, even if they lose all the next games, they can still enter the playoffs.

With only a dozen or twenty games left in the regular season, they locked in a playoff spot in advance. You can imagine how crazy the Heat are this season.

You know, other teams are still fighting for the playoffs.

What the Heat are considering is how to adjust the lineup and how to reasonably rest.

Followed closely by the Golden State Warriors, they are also very crazy, with 50 wins and 13 losses, and they only lost one game during this period.

The two sides were very tight-lipped, and the victory was only half a game away.

The Eagles' record has reached 48 wins and 16 losses. They are obviously not able to withstand pressure enough, and the gap between the Heat and Warriors is gradually widened.

At this time, no one mentioned Xue Liancheng's wild words.

The so-called disrespect for the eagle, looking at it now, actually turned out to be a prophecy.

because……

The Hawks are indeed not the Heat's competitor for the top spot in the league.

Xue Liancheng was right.

In addition to the top two in the East, the competition for other positions is still very fierce.

Third place Cleveland Cavaliers, 40 wins and 26 losses.

Since the trade, they have truly completed their transformation, showing the demeanor of a top team.

Although James' performance was criticized when he was defeated by the Heat, at other times, he still maintained his level as the league's number one player and was ridiculously strong.

of course.

Looking back, the loss to the Heat was just a narrow defeat.

This aspect proves that the strength of the Cavaliers cannot be underestimated.

but.

They are only one game away from the fourth-placed Bulls, and their records are very close. If they are not careful, they may slip down.

Once they fall to fourth place, they will have to meet the Miami Heat early in the second round. This is definitely not the result they want to see.

and so.

They do not have the qualifications to relax in the slightest.

Trying to secure third place is their next goal.

of course.

They can only maintain third place.

Because they can't advance to second place, the Eagles' record of 48 wins and 16 losses is simply beyond their reach.

The fourth-place Chicago Bulls, 39 wins and 27 losses.

They are one win away from the Cleveland Cavaliers. As the playoffs approach, they will undoubtedly have to strive for victory.

Because being in fourth place, from a long-term perspective, means that they will encounter the crazy Big Three of the Heat in the second round of the playoffs.

The Bulls were beaten twice by the Heat this season, and it can be said that they were beaten helplessly.

Thibodeau has never been able to find a way to contain Xue Liancheng.

The most frightening thing is that the Heat's waves of attacking firepower are so fierce that it seems like it takes an instant to extinguish a team.

In addition, after the Heat traded for Gasol, Ibaka, PJ Tucker and others, the Heat's defensive end is also extremely dominant, often causing opponents to suddenly lose their offensive power.

There is no doubt that the Heat are the scariest team in the East, not even one of them.

Anyway, in terms of record level, this is definitely the case.

With 18 games left before the end of the regular season, they scored 50+ wins with overwhelming momentum.

Such a team is so strong that it makes people feel scared...

The Cavaliers' new Big Three cannot be underestimated either.

If they had to choose between the Heat and the Cavaliers, they might have a phobia of choice.

But the problem is.

As long as they squeeze into third place, they won't have this worry at all.

Let the Heat and Cavaliers fight in advance, and they can reap the benefits.

What's more...

The second Atlanta Hawks are too easy to beat.

At least there is no suffocating feeling like the Heat.

If they meet the Heat, they will have a feeling of narrow escape, and even have the illusion that "it is difficult to win a game".

But when they meet an eagle, they don't feel that sense of oppression. They even feel that they can still fight.

Once we get past the Eagles, it's the Eastern Conference Finals.

Let’s not talk about the final result.

Entering the Eastern Conference Finals means exceeding the goal for this season.

The fifth-place Toronto Raptors, 37 wins and 27 losses.

They are only 2 games away from the third-placed Cleveland Cavaliers.

Their goal is the same as the Bulls, fighting for third place so that they can avoid the two strongest teams in the East, the Miami Heat and the Cleveland Cavaliers.

This is definitely the best ranking, the most ideal playoff journey.

If they cannot win the third position, their playoff prospects will be bleak.

After wading through the Heat and Cavaliers with the Big Three one after another, break out of the encirclement?

Eastern team, who can have this confidence?

Anyway, the Raptors don't have it for the time being.

The sixth-place Washington Wizards, 35 wins and 29 losses.

The gap between them and the Cavaliers has reached 4 games, which is obviously far away.

But reaching third place is their only way to survive.

otherwise.

It is very slim to make a difference in the playoffs.

The above four teams are all fighting for third place.

Whoever can grab third place will get a ticket to the Eastern Conference Finals.

of course.

It's just a ticket.

After all, the eagle is not a soft persimmon, and no one can guarantee that they will pass the eagle.

But if you encounter the Heat, you won't even have a chance to shoot your chest.

This is the difference.

Seventh Milwaukee Bucks, 33 wins and 32 losses.

The situation after the transaction was not very good. McAway was not accustomed to the local environment, or he was inherently bad, and his record dropped compared to before.

But their seventh position is still very stable.

There are certain difficulties in chasing up.

But when it falls, it seems like it can't fall down.

Then eighth place is complicated.

The Indiana Pacers are 27-36.

The Charlotte Hornets are 27-36.

Boston Celtics 25-38

Brooklyn Nets 23 wins 40 losses

These are the teams competing for the final playoff spot.

That's right.

27 wins and 36 losses would rank eighth.

23 wins and 40 losses will qualify for the playoffs.

The current situation in the East is such a child's play.

The Heat's top spot in the Eastern Conference has become more and more stable, which means that their playoff opponents will most likely be among these four teams.

Originally...

According to historical trajectory, their record can be improved by one or two wins, but due to the arrival of Xue Liancheng and the Heat's crazy performance, their overall record has suffered a huge decline.

Not just them, the entire league has declined to varying degrees.

Because according to historical trajectory, the Heat's final record is 37 wins and 45 losses.

Now, the Heat have only lost 13 games, so who will be responsible for converting the remaining 30+ games into wins?

no doubt……

The whole league.

This caused their record to be affected to varying degrees.

Only then did a team with 23 wins and 40 losses qualify for the playoffs.

of course.

Even without Xue Liancheng's arrival, the rotten situation in the east would not have improved, it would just not be that ugly.

……

And at this time.

American Airlines Center.

Spoelstra and his assistants were also discussing the issue of blocking positions. Xue Liancheng, Wade and Gasol were listening on the side.

Keith was the first to speak: "No matter who is eighth, it has no impact on us. We now need to consider the second round, because the records of the Cavaliers, Bulls, Raptors, and Wizards are very close. If the Cavaliers fall, If we get to fourth or fifth, then we will have a fierce battle with the Cavaliers' Big Three ahead of time, which is not a wise choice."

They have already secured the playoff spot, so naturally they don't have the trouble of hitting the playoffs.

But they still have to think about the problem of facing off in the playoffs.

For example, if they meet the Cavaliers early in the second round, the consumption on them will undoubtedly be huge.

If they reach the tiebreaker and then start the Eastern Conference finals, their physical fitness, concentration, and mental exhaustion will not be in the best condition, which is also a disadvantage.

of course.

In fact, the most worrying issue is that if they lose the series and are eliminated in the second round, how will they explain to the management?

How to explain to the Heat fans?

If it were the Eastern Conference Finals, it would be relatively easy for everyone to accept it, but what if it was the second round?

That is absolutely unacceptable.

This point is especially critical...

Another assistant coach stood up and spoke, "I agree with Keith's point of view. We need to find the best path to the finals instead of rushing. Every game in the playoffs cannot be missed, so we must be cautious. , since we have the right to choose to play against, why not find an easy path?"

Don't think that because the Heat defeated Cleveland twice this season, they can stabilize the opponent in the playoffs.

The regular season is the regular season and the playoffs are the playoffs. These are two completely different levels of competition.

Just like in the 10-11 season, Rose came out of nowhere to lead the Chicago Bulls invincibly and win the league's first record.

At that time, the momentum of the Bulls and Rose was no worse than that of the Heat and Xue Liancheng.

At the same time, the two also have a lot in common.

They are all rising superstars, extremely dominant on both offense and defense, and their core is also a point guard.

During the regular season, the Bulls were not afraid of the Heat's Big Three.

But the end result is...

In the Eastern Conference finals, the Bulls were eliminated by the Big Three Heat with a score of 1:4. Except for Rose's high-spirited 26 points in the first game and slaughtered the Heat 103:82.

In the next four games, the Bulls had no power to fight back, and Rose's efficiency was extremely poor.

They were 23 of 7, 19 of 7, 27 of 8, and 29 of 9. It is undoubtedly a fantasy to win the series with such a shooting rate.

This is a clear proof!

It is a precedent for the weak to defeat the strong!

and so……

Keith raised the issue of avoiding the Cleveland Cavaliers, and there seemed to be nothing wrong with it.

Spo pondered for a moment and looked at Wade: "Dwayne, what do you think?"

Wade replied: "LeBron will enter another mode after entering the playoffs. Please believe me, he is definitely not as weak as we thought."

It also means that I want to release the water...

Because the Cavaliers and them still have two confrontations.

Although what Wade said is true, I don’t know if it contains selfish motives...

Xue Liancheng secretly cursed...

At this time, Si Bo looked at Xue Liancheng again, "Xue, what do you think?"

Under normal circumstances, as a rookie who has never played in the playoffs, he has no say.

But since he was asked, Xue Liancheng naturally said what was in his heart: "My goal is to win the championship. I will not run away from any opponent. I will stand here and accept anyone's challenge."

As soon as these words came out.

Everyone's bodies couldn't help but tremble slightly.

So arrogant...

So domineering...

The eyes of everyone looking at Xue Liancheng changed slightly.

The meaning of this statement is very clear: a king is never afraid of challenges.

but me.

That's the king.

Xue Liancheng was very disdainful of the behavior of picking opponents.

If you want to win the championship, you need to show the momentum of God blocking God and killing Buddha, Buddha blocking Buddha.

No matter who you encounter, you should press forward with your head held high and your chest high.

Instead of doing those fancy, picky little moves, this is not the mentality a championship team should have.

Just like Jokic led the Nuggets later, Zhuge Malone chose to let go just before the playoffs came, and the result...

Let yourself go.

There is a saying that goes well: Never underestimate the heart of a championship.

Only by having the heart of a championship can we move forward courageously.

Rather than just moving forward, you can find the championship.

The order cannot be reversed.

What's more...

The point of view put forward by Keith and others is that they don't even have a stance of going forward. What's the point of picking and choosing?

or……

He was eliminated directly in the second round and went home.

or……

Just walked through the Cleveland Cavaliers, and reached the Finals on James' corpse.

Is it necessary to study the issue of water release here?

This is what he really thinks.

of course.

He also has another thought, which is to go all out and beat the Golden State Warriors to win the first record in the regular season.

in this way……

He will have more advantages in the MVP battle.

Only by winning the MVP and strengthening his golden thighs can he show a stronger self in the playoffs.

Only if he becomes stronger can they truly get their hands on the championship.

These things are all interrelated.

Release water?

Let your sister go...

Keith frowned and spoke again: "I think it's too risky to go all out when it's basically certain. If you get injured..."

He didn’t continue, but the meaning was obvious.

There is no point in fighting.

The Cavaliers are fighting for third place to avoid their heat.

What are they fighting for?

Xue Liancheng raised his eyebrows and replied: "Destroy them mentally."

Keith opened his mouth but said no more.

The leading stars are so determined.

It's a bit out of character for him to still play devil's advocate here.

Spoelstra pondered for a moment: "When it's time to rotate, we will adjust the lineup according to our own rhythm. If we can win, it's good. If we can't, then let nature take its course."

This means that when you play, you should give your best, but when you need to rest, you still have to rest.

This is the final word.

Xue Liancheng couldn't say much.

But the magic is here.

In the game against the Raptors on the 13th, Spoelstra let them play with all their main players.

The obvious purpose is to snipe the Raptors and prevent them from competing for third place.

This……

What else is there to say about the rest?

shit……

Spoelstra still followed Keith's advice and wanted to avoid the Cavaliers in the second round.

Xue Liancheng didn't care, since he was on the field, he would naturally not be merciful.

The result was no surprise.

They once again defeated the Toronto Raptors who tried their best 112:102.

Lowry and DeRozan really worked hard, playing 45 minutes and 44 minutes respectively, with little rest time.

But they were still powerless.

There is still a certain gap between the two sides in terms of strength.

Xue Liancheng played 30 minutes and scored 28 points and 13 assists.

During this period of time, he also intentionally or unintentionally increased his number of shots, and even the time of possession of the ball has also increased.

The purpose is naturally to brush up some data and make myself more beautiful overall.

in this way……

It will help him compete for the MVP trophy.

Wade was in great form in this game, making 13 of 9 shots and scoring 25 points.

Attacking the rim is more aggressive.

There are also suspicions of data brushing.

Others performed relatively average.

As for the Raptors.

Lowry made 12 of 7 shots and 8 of 5 three-pointers. He tried his best and scored 19 points, 8 assists and 8 rebounds, which was very comprehensive.

DeRozan wasn't efficient on 12-for-3 shooting, but the guy was driving to the rim all night, winning 13 free throws and hitting 12 of them.

He also scored the second-highest score on the team with 18 points, plus 6 assists and 6 rebounds.

I really gave it my all.

Maybe they would never have imagined that what they lost was not only the gap in strength, but also the fact that the Heat were determined not to let them win...

Ended the game with the Raptors.

The Heat have two days of rest, and they will once again face the challenge of the Cleveland Cavaliers at home on the 16th.

The war of words between fans from both sides started again.

This game also attracted much attention.

Anyway, with the current league structure, the game between the Heat and the Cavaliers will never lack topics and attention...

The public's eyes are all fixed on James.

As the first player in the league, there is no doubt that he will be in the spotlight.

The Heat, as the team with the best record in the league, and Xue Liancheng, as the league's most explosive rising star, have attracted a lot of attention.

Plus the highlights of Wade vs. James.

James and the Heat's feud.

The biggest focus is what kind of sparks will be created when Xue Liancheng and James Mars collide with the earth.

Besides.

The Cavaliers have lost two games in a row. No matter how tolerant their fans are, they can't stand being killed three times in a row.

They were still beaten three times in a row by their enemies, so they put pressure on the Cavaliers players on social media, urging them to give everything they had to win one game and save some face.

Heat fans, on the other hand, can ride on the Cavaliers' necks openly and turn on the taunting mode.

The game begins.

When Xue Liancheng learned about the players in this game, he was happy on the spot.

It’s really just a waste of water!

Gasol and Batum both have a truce.

Without Gasol's inside barrier, wouldn't the Heat's penalty area be destroyed by James?

but……

The release of water is not too obvious.

after all……

The two cores, he and Wade, still played.

This is to be expected.

But he won't give up.