NBA: I am the card dealer

It is indeed a bit unexpected that Xue Liancheng has such a strong desire to attack.

Even Mike Brown on the sidelines did not expect that Xue Liancheng would attack several times in a row, but he just watched quietly and did not stop him.

The scene was already filled with joy.

As ordinary fans, their understanding of the team's tactics is not that deep. Now that they see Xue Liancheng attacking so violently, they can't help but be excited.

In their view, if the star player breaks out, there is a possibility of winning the game.

Next round.

The Lakers destroyed the Spurs' ball and the Spurs took the opportunity to make substitutions. Gasol and Mills went down, and Ginobili and Jonathan Simmons came up.

Xue Liancheng glanced at it and smiled slightly.

After all, Popovich was unable to withstand their fast break pressure and had to make early substitutions.

You know, the game lasted less than four minutes, and it was quite rare to make two substitutions.

This shows that the Spurs could no longer withstand the pressure in the face of their surging fast break, and even did not hesitate to dismantle their best lineup.

Being able to win a small victory in the game with Popovich is naturally a happy thing.

But soon, he was no longer happy.

After Gasol went down, the Spurs' retreat speed really increased, and the Lakers' opportunities to grab fast breaks suddenly became less and less.

They had to fall into positional warfare.

This goes back to the starting point of the Spurs' defensive strategy in the opening game.

After Xue Liancheng and Randall picked and rolled, the Spurs still chose to let Danny Green go around. In other words, they were determined to let him go for a three-pointer.

The commentators were dumbfounded: "Popovich is really a stubborn man! He even let Xue Liancheng score a three-pointer. Did he really think Xue Liancheng's three-pointer was in the period?"

The commentator also shook his head and sighed: "Perhaps, only after paying a heavy price can Popovich wake up..."

The voice just fell.

Xue Liancheng retreated again and raised his hand to strike very resolutely.

If he doesn't take action in this situation, Popovich will only let him go more unscrupulously, and his reputation as a historical three-point shooter will be ruined.

It feels like a paper tiger has been popped...

That's right.

Excluding three 2.3% hitting skills, his three-point shooting is actually very average, averaging three-pointers per game, and his shooting rate is at the league's normal level, even slightly lower than the league average.

Under normal circumstances, he needs to try it out to find his feel. After all, he has room for trial and error.

Sometimes after two or three attempts without success, he would know that his hand was not that good today, so he would shoot less.

But looking back, this virtually lowered his three-point shooting percentage.

In fact, the situation of normal three-point shooting is not bad. The shooting rate can be maintained at the league standard line, but the number of hits needs to be reduced. After all, those who fail through trial and error have to be eliminated...

Overall, he is considered a three-point threat, but he is definitely not as scary as the media boasts. He is a historical shooter, a phenomenal shooter, a strong contender for the best shooter in history, and so on.

Now, old man Popovich actually lets him go as soon as he comes up. This obviously captures three of his weaknesses!

He really didn't expect Popovich to be so sharp-eyed...

So for a moment, he felt a little guilty for no reason.

but.

He quickly realized that he was capable of scoring 5.3 three-pointers per game! This is not fraud, what is he afraid of?

and so.

Without hesitation, he immediately retreated and took action again.

This time, Randall learned his lesson. Of course, the main reason was that Randall failed to block Aldridge after the pick-and-roll in the first round and was scolded by Xue Liancheng.

So this time Randall was directly in front of Aldridge, not giving Aldridge a chance to defend.

In this way, Xue Liancheng becomes completely vacant, which has a 20% hit rate bonus!

The meaning is completely different.

As soon as he took action, he felt it.

as predicted!

Swish!

Another three-pointer!

Xue Liancheng was very excited. The 20% hit rate bonus was indeed very practical.

And the commentator has already exclaimed repeatedly: "I bought it! Xue Liancheng also..."

Commentators also marveled: "In the first four minutes, I scored 5 points in a row on 5-for-12. It's really fierce! How will Popovich react now?"

The host directly criticized: "It's 12:4. This is the price of willfulness. I really don't understand why Popovich is so persistent and insists that putting a historical three-point shooter is the right move." The method is simply incredible.”

Commentator: "Because of this, he is the Popovich we are familiar with. Although I don't agree with Popovich's deployment, I know that he will definitely not give up."

The host was anxious: "But this is the playoffs! It's the Western Conference finals! We have already achieved a 2:0 advantage. In this case, you only need to play according to your own offensive rhythm and try your best to prevent Xue Liancheng and Lan With Del's pick-and-roll, the Spurs have a great chance of winning. Why should they hold on to Xue Liancheng's three-pointer? "

Commentator: "Perhaps, this is why Popovich became a famous coach. We can't guess what he is thinking."

In fact, Popovich's move turned against Tiangang and pinched Xue Liancheng's lifeline.

If Xue Liancheng can be forced to use all his 100% hit skills in the first three quarters, or even in the first quarter, then the Lakers will become a toothless tiger.

Popovich is the one who sees through the essence.

only.

Xue Liancheng is also strong enough. If you want to fight like this, I will make you pay the price even if I use all the 100% hit skills in advance.

After two three-pointers in a row, Popovich on the sidelines reacted slightly and glanced at Xue Liancheng with squinted eyes.

Off-site attack and defense.

The Spurs moved the ball quickly again, and Ginobili's breakthrough was still amazing, but after all, he was old, and Xue Liancheng made early predictions, which made Ginobili very uncomfortable.

In the end, it can only be handed over to Leonard.

Post up, arch, turn around, come back, click, step back and take a shot.

No.

But Aldridge scored under the basket.

The Spurs finally stopped bleeding.

12:6. In terms of momentum at the opening, the Lakers were more ferocious.

But after the Spurs' goal, Xue Liancheng had a bad feeling.

as predicted.

Danny Green still chose to go around.

It’s really me, no end…

He didn't expect that old man Popovich was so stubborn. He was almost crippled by his three-pointer in the opening game, and yet he dared to die...

But he had no choice. Since the opponent dared to let go, he must dare to shoot.

After all, this is also an opportunity.

He needs to set an example for his teammates. If you, as the team leader, don't take a shot when there is a chance, how can he ask his teammates to take decisive action when they have a chance?

On top of that, he also has to defend his dignity as a top striker.

and so.

He once again chose to step back.

Aldridge was still blocked by Randall, but this time Danny Green was fully prepared and immediately flew forward after getting around.

No matter whether it can have an impact or not, a positive attitude is good.

In fact, Danny Green's save really affected Xue Liancheng's shooting, and his 20% hit rate bonus was gone.

His mind was racing and many thoughts were passing through his mind.

In the first attack, he had already used the 100% hit skill once. If he used it again, it would be the last time.

He doesn't know if the Lakers can maintain a stalemate with the Spurs until the end, but what if?

If the stalemate reaches the final moment and he is unable to complete the harvest, then he will be the biggest culprit of the Lakers' defeat.

But if he doesn't use it and fails to make a shot, Popovich will definitely carry it to his death. In this case, the tactics they practiced in advance will be invalidated from the source.

Because Danny Green bypassed the defense in advance, he had blocked his breakthrough path in advance. Even if he ran over him with the strength advantage, the Spurs were already in position in advance and flanked him in the paint. He couldn't make a big difference at all. space.

And Aldrichland didn't need to delay, so Del didn't go down so smoothly.

Even if it goes down smoothly and Aldridge keeps following up, it's not easy for him to pass the ball.

In other words, their pick-and-roll was a waste of time.

and so.

Shooting a three-pointer and forcing Danny Green to defend is the best way to break the Spurs' defensive strategy.

Once Danny Green is left behind, Aldridge must delay and prepare someone in front to surround him, otherwise he can force his way in and threaten the basket.

In this case, opportunities are everywhere.

He can pass the ball to Randall down the line, allowing Randall to complete the alley-oop.

He can also go deep into the basket and distribute it to three-point shooters on the outside, allowing his teammates enough space to shoot three-pointers.

No matter what he does, these are easy scoring opportunities, especially for Randle.

After the pick-and-roll goes down, the chance of scoring successfully is very high.

This is what it means that he must shoot a three-pointer, and he must make it.

And after he took action, he immediately felt bad.

But maybe because of overthinking, when he reacted and gritted his teeth and prepared to use the 100% hit skill again, he found that everything was too late.

The ball has flown out of the sensing range...

In other words, the ball has flown far away.

After landing, he was very upset and felt that he should not hesitate.

really.

The ball hit the neck of the basket.

There was a bang, which broke Xue Liancheng's heart.

But next second.

When the rising ball fell again, it fell into the net without death.

This ball...

It's really just luck.

Xue Liancheng's depressed mood suddenly became cheerful. Although it was a lucky ball, it still scored, right?

15:6, less than five minutes into the game, the Lakers already had a 9-point advantage.

The fans there, that was really inspiring.

The most important thing is that these 15 points were scored by Xue Liancheng alone. The turbulence of a god coming down to earth came to Putaipus again.

The host once again severely criticized Popovich: "Xue Liancheng has made 6 of 6 and scored 15 points. Let's see how long Popovich can last?"

The commentator also echoed: "Aren't you going to let Xue Liancheng go to guard against others? Now Xue Liancheng has proven one thing, that is, if you let me go, I can really beat you to death!"

The commentator also agreed: "Yes! I think this defensive experiment should be over. Xue Liancheng has made 3 of 3 three-pointers. As long as you dare to let him go and give him the slightest chance to shoot, he will dare to shoot resolutely, and Throw you to death."

Popovich on the sidelines finally stared, pacing back and forth a lot faster.

Obviously.

He was finally annoyed by Xue Liancheng's continuous scoring.

When Danny Green passed by Popovich, he took a deep look at his mentor, his eyes seeming to ask: Do you still need to be so defensive?

In addition to asking, Danny Green's face also told Popovich: If this continues, people will really die.

Obviously.

Xue Liancheng hit consecutive three-pointers over his head, and he was actually trembling deep inside.

Perhaps he himself felt that this was a very funny thing to put such a historical-level shooter.

In the end, Popovich made a gesture and turned away without saying anything.

Xue Liancheng had actually been paying attention to what was going on here, and when he saw this scene, he smiled slightly.

He feels like Popovich is going to compromise this time.

really.

In the next round, when Xue Liancheng and Randall were engaged in a pick-and-roll, Danny Green chased after him and no longer chose to go around.

The corners of Xue Liancheng's mouth raised crazily, and he stepped on Hot Wheels, accelerating even more violently.

Aldridge didn't dare to delay, so he just followed Randall down the lane, while Danny Green chased behind.

At this time, the front was empty.

The Spurs had to let Ginobili shrink in advance and block him.

This is not...

The opportunity is here.

Xue Liancheng quickly moved the ball to Marvin Williams, who was squatting in the bottom corner, and made a decisive three-pointer.

But missed...

Randall grabbed the rebound, got up, and...

However, Xue Liancheng did not blame Marvin Williams, but comforted him when he returned to defense: "Marvin, you did a good job, you voted resolutely, this is what you should do, I always believe it." you."

Marvin Williams nodded repeatedly: "I know that I will definitely make the next ball."

Not to die.

In the next round, the Spurs really let Marvin Williams go.

Xue Liancheng still gave the ball very resolutely.

This time it finally happened.

Next, the Spurs began to try again, from releasing Marvin Williams, to releasing James Johnson, and then releasing Clarkson.

In the end, even Aldridge's delaying Xue Liancheng's actions came in handy, allowing others to cover Randall.

But it's no use.

Xue Liancheng's passing vision and passing accuracy are really incredible. He can release the ball in an instant and give his teammates the most comfortable receiving area, so that they can complete the shot immediately.

In the end, the Spurs' rotational assist defense was of no use. The pick-and-roll between Xue Liancheng and Randle became an unsolvable problem, torturing the Spurs for the entire game.

finally.

The Lakers defended their home court and defeated the Spurs 117:108, evening the score to 1:2.

The moment the game ended, Xue Liancheng breathed a sigh of relief.

This game is a life and death battle. If they lose, it means that their series is coming to an end and the playoffs are coming to an end.

fortunately……

He stabilized the game with Popovich and finally won, which set the tone for victory in this game.