Chapter 1110 Gambling Substitutions, the Transformation Brought About by the Wolf King

Yes, Garnett had been cleared to play before this game. Although his knee injury has not healed, it has improved a lot. In a game before this game, Garnett He has already been allowed to play.

However, Rivers was still a little hesitant. He did not let Garnett come back early. Although he brought Garnett to Los Angeles before this game, he really didn't think about whether Garnett would play in the game.

The pre-game interview really wasn't entirely considered tactics. Most of the reason why Rivers said that was because he really didn't think about whether Garnett would play or not.

Because something like a knee injury is really too complicated. For a 32-year-old veteran, there is no such thing as a recovery from a knee injury. At best, it just gets better. It is true that more than ten years before Garnett, In his 20-year career, he has been a well-known iron man in the league and has rarely suffered major injuries. But this is even more troublesome, because for a person like Garnett who can easily avoid injuries, once he is injured, it will basically be catastrophic.

Countless times of history have proven that once a veteran suffers a major injury, even if he can subsequently contribute, his condition will definitely decline like a cliff, and the possibility of getting injured again will increase exponentially. There are no exceptions here, even if you Before the injury, he was a superstar in the league, but after the injury, his status will definitely decline and he will be reduced to a role player. Grant Hill is an example.

To be honest, Hill is already in perfect condition for his comeback. How many amazing and talented superstars have been ruined by injuries.

So Rivers was very hesitant. Of course he understood the importance of Garnett to the team. Last season, Garnett accounted for half of the credit for why they reached the Finals. Although the MVP of the Finals was Pierce, Garnett Special is the core of the Green Army.

On the defensive end, the Celtics were able to play iron-like defense, with Garnett as the core of the defense. Through his ubiquitous defense, the opponent's offense was fragmented; but on the offensive end, the performance was not ideal, and the team failed to play well. The system, Rondo is not yet mature, relies entirely on the isolation of the three giants, and the giants lack the scoring ability like cutting melons and vegetables; Ray Allen experienced a period of sluggishness in the Eastern Series, and the team's offense encountered obstacles, all relying on KG Carrying the team.

The offense has finally improved this season. Rondo has grown into a first-class point guard. Rondo + Garnett pick-and-roll to initiate the offense + Ray Allen's off-ball movement + Pierce's wing containment system has been developed. The Big Three take turns playing singles Still indispensable, but the pressure on the Big Three's offense is much less.

And they are still strong on the defensive end. They still maintain the defensive level of the 2008 season. KG is still the core of the defense. This is the best period for them to compete for the championship. It is precisely because of Kevin Garnett that before KG was injured in the 2009 season, The Celtics have become the strongest stage in the Big Three period, and they have been keeping up with the Lakers.

However, Garnett was injured...

In the past few games since the injury, the Green Army's offensive end has averaged 16+9 inside fulcrums per game, while the defensive end has been catastrophic. The team lacks a stable inside single point, high and low post support and a pick-and-roll wall. ; Pierce and Ray Allen lack the scoring ability to cut melons and vegetables, and the team has to rely on last season's defense to grind down opponents. However, the defensive core is missing, and the defensive iron barrel formation that the Celtics are famous for lacks the key. One ring.

Therefore, their record fluctuated. They were surpassed by the Cavaliers and fell to second place in the Eastern Conference.

Therefore, Rivers was afraid that Garnett would be injured again, so he was not sure whether Garnett would play before the game.

But now, Rivers decided to let the Wolf King play, because this game is too critical. Not to mention that it is the Christmas game that the United States is paying attention to, just say that this is a second game with the Lakers. If this game is defeated by the Lakers, The score was swept, which would be a huge blow to the Celtics.

Moreover, the horror of the Lakers exceeded everyone's expectations. The Lakers in good condition were really too strong. They easily tore apart the Green Army's defense and made them suffer on the defensive end. They continued to play like this for half a game. It will be blown up, which means there is no chance at all.

Bet!

"Oh, we saw Garnett, who said before the game that he would not play, took off his training uniform, and Rivers also made a substitution gesture. Garnett officially returned after half a month!" Yang Jian Said after seeing this scene.

Garnett replaced big baby Davis, who had little performance in the first quarter, and officially announced his comeback!

As soon as Garnett came on the court, he encouraged the whole team in his unique way. He high-fived every teammate, beat his chest and roared twice. He wanted to use this method to drive the performance of his teammates.

At this time, the commentator asked tonight's guest commentator, Magic Johnson: "Excuse me, Magic. Garnett comes on as a substitute. Do you think the Celtics' substitute lineup will change the situation on the court?"

"I think the possibility is very small. Blacksmithing is contagious. By the time they regained their shooting percentage, the game was probably over. Moreover, Garnett's offensive ability has been reduced and he has just recovered from injury. How is his condition? I'm sure It's a question mark." Magic must support the Lakers.

However, as soon as Garnett came on the court, the Green Army became more powerful. Garnett is indeed the guy who can bring about qualitative changes.

In the first attack, with Garnett, Rondo also seemed more calm. The Celtics returned to the familiar slow rhythm. They only started attacking after 14 seconds. Garnett's fulcrum also liberated the other two giants. Pierce finally Seize the opportunity to catch the ball and score the first goal of the game.

Although Ji Feng then faced Pierce's defense, he easily changed direction and reached the inside, and succeeded with a throw!

But at least the Celtics can make up for it with points. Garnett goes to the line to support, pick-and-roll handoffs, Rondo catches the ball and breaks the ball, and Ray Allen catches the ball in the pick-and-roll and hits a three-pointer.

"YES!" Rivers waved heavily off the court, and his gamble seemed to be working.

In the last two minutes of the first quarter, the Green Army did not let the score open further. Instead, led by Garnett, the score difference was reduced to 12 points. At the end of the first quarter, the Lakers led 37-25.

In the second quarter, the Lakers removed Kobe Gasol, but Garnett was still on the court. Rivers seemed to have tasted the sweetness. He wanted to continue to let Garnett drive the team's offense, and also wanted to use him to limit the Lakers. attack.

This had an effect. It was not obvious when defending Gasol, but when Radmanovic was not playing, Garnett was too effective. He used his personal ability to become a winner in the first round. The first two points since his comeback.

On the offensive end, he also eliminated Radmanovic's advantage. The mid-range that the latter was best at could not be used under Garnett's top defense. The Lakers could only rely on Ji Feng's breakthroughs and shooting. Score.

And Garnett has obviously made arrangements for Ji Feng. Once Ji Feng breaks through, Garnett will definitely be on guard to help defend.

So during the time when the substitutes were playing, the Celtics surprisingly won!

45-37, the Lakers only lead by 8 points!