Chapter 623 [Why Are You Hurt? 】
It wasn't until the third minute that the Mavericks scored. Nowitzki attracted a double-team to score the ball. Kidd relied on Gasol to screen and get rid of Lu Wei, and ran to the middle to catch the ball and hit a jumper for a three-pointer. 9 to 3.
The veteran stabilized the situation and the home fans applauded enthusiastically.
But the Lakers immediately fired back. Lu Wei and Yao Ming used a pick-and-roll in the middle and brought it to 45 degrees, attracting Kidd to pursue him and passing the ball to the high post. Yao Ming quickly passed the ball to Iguodala, who was cutting from the right baseline.
Iguodala caught the ball under Howard's defense, took three steps, and forced a layup. As soon as he rushed up, not many swingmen in the league could stop him. 11 to 3.
In the next round, Nowitzki once again attracted double-teams and passed the ball out of the perimeter. Howard missed an open three-pointer. Odom grabbed the rebound and launched a counterattack with a pass.
Lu Wei dribbled the ball forward, Kidra fouled, and Mavericks head coach Rick Carlisle requested a timeout.
TNT radio commentator Kenny Smith said: "The Lakers will create another miracle this year. Even with Kobe missing, they are still the favorites to win the championship. No one would have imagined before the game that they would have such an easy time playing the Mavericks away from home."
Barkley said with a smile: "The Mavericks' lineup looks very strong. Kidd and Howard are not in the same state as before, especially Howard. He is completely different in the playoffs and the regular season. I don't know if he smokes marijuana again." ”
Howard's playoff statistics dropped to 15.8 points, 5.1 rebounds and 1.3 assists. His overall shooting percentage was only 43.8%, and his scoring mainly relied on jump shots. He would immediately move out after receiving the ball and not have a chance to shoot, without trying to break through.
Last season, the media revealed that Howard smoked marijuana. During the summer offseason, when Mavericks owner Mark Cuban participated in a talk show, he was asked if he minded his players smoking marijuana, which became a scandal in the league. joke.
What's important is whether it was appropriate for him to confess to ESPN after the team entered the playoffs. Moreover, the Mavericks were in a terrible situation, trailing 0-2 at that time, and the situation of the coach and teammates was quite difficult.
Just as the Mavericks entered a life-and-death moment, Howard threw a grand birthday party for himself, and head coach Avery Johnson responded by canceling team training. This has had an extremely negative impact on teammates. After last season, "Little General" was driven away, and no other team used him anymore.
Today, Howard was obviously sleepwalking, and he didn't change after the timeout.
Carlisle replaced White and brought on Terry to strengthen the offense and add an outside attack point. The effect of this move is obvious. The Mavericks' twin towers have strong shooting ability, and Yao Ming also has to switch defenders.
Six minutes later, Yang Rui took the lead in making adjustments. Yao Ming took a break and replaced him with Millsap to strengthen the defense on the outside.
Gasol is conflicted. At this time, does he still want to pull out for the pick-and-roll? There seems to be an advantage in playing hard inside, but if he doesn't pick and roll in the middle, it will not match the tactics arranged by Carlisle.
The Lakers changed to a zone defense, disrupting the Mavericks' plan.
Gasol is a team player, so he went for the pick-and-roll. Millsap switched defenses and blocked Terry's breakthrough. Kidd distributed the ball to the center, and Iguodala defended Gasol.
Gasol has a high IQ. He first passed to Nowitzki and then chose to cut.
Millsap let go of Kidd and retreated to the basket to double-team Gasol. Nowitzki passed the ball to the basket. Gasol attracted double-teams in the penalty area. He had the physical advantage and did not shoot, but passed the ball beyond the three-point line.
Kidd caught the ball on the left, Posey made up the defense and opened up the bottom corner. Kidd took advantage of the situation and passed the ball again.
The person receiving the ball became Terry, and it was immediately different. He steadily hit the three-pointer in the open space.
The Lakers changed their style of play offensively and fought back again.
Iguodala moved to the center as an organization forward. Lou Wei relied on Odom to run and catch the ball without the ball. He scored a three-pointer from the right and scored his 9th point. He also had two assists. Gasol was unable to switch defenses. .
The opponent attacked Gasol fiercely and took advantage of his slow movement to create mismatch opportunities. Carlisle finally couldn't stand it anymore.
Gasol was replaced by Brandon Bass, who can make a mid-range shot.
In the team training matches, the person Gasol fears most is Barea. This weakness of restraint cannot be made up for by his own efforts and can only be replaced.
The Lakers' two small guards are faster than Barea. Gasol is destined to suffer in this series.
In the second half, the Lakers continued to ensure their offensive firepower, and commentators from various countries were amazed.
In the eyes of most people, Yao's name means that the Lakers have no stars. In fact, Lou Williams, Iguodala, Millsap, and Odom were all players capable of averaging more than 15 points per game in Yang Rui's previous life. And the ball is moving very well.
The Lakers led 32-24 in the first quarter.
The Mavericks mainly relied on Nowitzki and Terry to attack, scoring 10 and 9 points respectively.
Yao Ming, who had rested for 6 minutes in the second quarter, came up to lead the bench and partnered with Millsap in the paint. While Nowitzki was off the court to rest, Odom was also replaced to rest for a while. The other three were Dengta Jones, Gibson, and Brooks. .
The Mavericks substituted Barea, Terry, Gerald Green, Buss, and Ryan Hollins.
The Mavericks' substitutes mainly rely on fast breaks to score points. Hollins is a blue-collar player in positional battles. If he is pulled out in the pick-and-roll, he will be left open. Bass's pick-and-roll is too short and the effect is average. Yang Rui sent three fast inside players to strengthen the defense. On the premise of ensuring defense, the offense was handed over to Yao for singles.
Brooks dribbled the ball across half court and passed it to Gibson who was 70 degrees on the right side. The latter took out a little space and passed the ball to the low post. Yao Ming leaned on Hollins with his back to get the basketball.
Yao Ming leaned against Hollins twice, shook his right shoulder at a 50-degree angle, turned toward the baseline and hooked.
Hollins is 213cm tall and weighs only 104kg. He is very thin and cannot jump up after being squeezed. He cannot judge the direction of the opponent. Yao Ming has a very soft touch and scores points on the board. 34 to 24.
The Mavericks attacked and the Lakers defended. Yao Ming waited for someone to attack near the penalty area, ignoring Hollins.
Hollins can only score by picking up missed shots. He has neither shooting range nor low post. He is not good at grabbing rebounds and blocking shots on the defensive end. His only advantage is that he moves quickly and can defend pick-and-rolls. He is a strange center.
Barea also showed his strength. He played a pick-and-roll with Buss to get rid of Xiaobu, and relied on speed to get rid of Odom. He made a jumper from the right side and scored. 34 to 26.
The Mavericks home fans uniformly dressed, turning the arena into a blue ocean. They cheered in unison when the home team scored a goal, which would create a lot of psychological pressure on the opponents.
But the Lakers players are extremely capable of withstanding pressure, and at least reaching the Western Conference Finals makes everyone extremely confident and will not be intimidated.
The Lakers continued their triangle offense. Gibson passed the ball to Yao Ming, forming a triangle with Brooks on the right side of the baseline. With two small guards on one side, the Mavericks could not double-team Yao Ming.
The Mavericks' defensive tactics were man-to-man. Terry and Barea let go of the man they were marking to double-team Yao Ming, which was of little use. Let the forward set up defense on the right side, then the defender does not need to pass, and the direct breakthrough is a misplacement.
Yao Ming caught the ball and leaned against Hollins twice, turned towards the baseline, leaned his back against the opponent, and scored from close range. 36 to 26.
The Mavericks attacked, and Hollins pulled out for a pick-and-roll and was left open. Barea broke through and was double-teamed, passing the ball to Hollins, who stood still on the right side and waited for his teammates to respond.
Terry singled out Gibson with the ball, changed direction and swayed half of his body, missed a jump shot, and Yao Ming got the backcourt rebound.
When the Lakers attacked, they still let Yao Ming play singles on the right. Yao Ming leaned twice and turned to the center. He took the ball with both hands and then stepped out with his left foot, pushing up against Hollins and causing a foul.
Yao Ming made two free throws, 38 to 26.
Carlisle is already overloaded. Without Gasol, he can't guard Yao Ming in the low post. With Gasol, he can't defend the defender in the pick-and-roll. How can he defend the Lakers' offense?
Carlisle began to miss Kobe's singles play.
Kobe, why are you injured?