Chapter 881 Christmas War

"Perhaps you have not experienced the era of Russell and Chamberlain, have not seen the duel between Big Bird and Magic, or the feud between Jordan and the OK Dynasty. But now, you are fortunate to see a new legend in NBA history rising. ”

"The greatest offensive team in history! The Los Angeles Lakers! Prior to this, they had an epic record of 25 wins! Second only to the legendary OK Dynasty's 34-game winning streak!"

"Run and gun! This tactic that is unfamiliar to many people is taking the alliance by storm! It has even caused a frenzy around the world!"

"Is basketball a sport for big men? Does basketball belong to the inside? Only defense and toughness can bring victory?"

"No! The Lakers this season are changing people's minds!"

"A gorgeous offense can also win! And their games are still so entertaining to watch!"

"Everyone is on duty! 12-man rotation! Many players are about to be selected as All-Stars! This has never been done by any dynasty team!"

"Experts believe that there are at least 6 players in the Lakers who can easily score 20+ points on any team! Their offensive firepower was gathered under Nash's guidance, creating the Lakers' unstoppable offense this season! "

"Christmas Day Game! The Lakers will face the 22-3 Miami Heat! This game will determine whether the Lakers can end their 2003 year with an undefeated record!"

The hottest team this season is none other than the Lakers.

In addition to the Lakers, there are several teams that also performed legendary performances.

The Miami Heat, second in the league, bear the brunt. Shaquille O'Neal averages 28+14+5 per game, ranking third in the league's MVP list.

Ahead of him are Kobe and Nash.

Because the Lakers' MVP votes were split equally between Kobe and Nash, many people believed that O'Neal had a chance to come from behind.

As long as the Lakers' record is not so exaggerated that it really reaches 70 wins, then O'Neal has a high chance of winning.

After all, O'Neal's qualifications are there. His performance in the past few years was only one step away from the MVP. This season, perhaps to make up for it, O'Neal will be given an MVP trophy.

Then this battle between the Lakers and the Heat has become a very important battle.

"Karl, you move the big man to the weak side, Shaq, I need you to crush Yao Ming for me in this game!" Pat Riley, the magician, already has a plan in mind.

This Lakers team is not invincible.

Although teams such as the Kings, Grizzlies, Pacers, and Timberwolves don't have many good ways to face the Lakers' running and gunning.

But after repeatedly watching and studying the Lakers' games, the fortune teller still found an opportunity.

Use a space fourth position to open up the defense!

Then let the ball holder and the center attack Yao Ming directly!

In other words, let Wade and O'Neal attack Yao Ming infinitely! Better knock him down!

Yao Ming seems to be a universal strength of the Lakers, but as long as he is defeated, the Lakers will not be able to find a player to replace him.

Pat Riley has confidence that Wade and O'Neal can do it!

The next step is to make a fuss about Nash.

Yes, the Lakers have Kobe, the strongest defensive back in history.

But the Heat have Wade and Eddie Jones.

One person pulls away Kobe, and the other person infinitely challenges Nash!

How do the Lakers defend?

Since there is no solution to run-and-gun, then first defeat Yao Ming, the core of run-and-gun, and then madly target Nash, the engine of run-and-gun.

Finally, let the stars and Kobe have a decisive battle!

The number of stars in the Heat is definitely not inferior to any team.

This aspect is the only way Pat Riley can beat the Lakers after thinking hard!

"Don't worry! Coach! I will eat that Asian kid alive!" O'Neal gritted his teeth.

In the match between the Lakers and Houston last season, O'Neal did not take much advantage in the matchup between Yao Ming and O'Neal.

Especially those 8 blocks in the first game made O'Neal nailed to the pillar of shame.

But after that, O'Neal quickly adapted to the method of beating Yao Ming.

Breaking through the face frame is courting death.

Don't be reckless!

Although Yao Ming's height is terrifying, his speed is really not slow at all.

It is very difficult to forcefully defeat Yao Ming with his explosive power.

It must be swallowed slowly, using strength to grind it in little by little, and then make small hooks and small throws.

Just use static power!

Playing this way, O'Neal had the upper hand in the next few games with the Lakers.

"Dwayne, Eddie, I need you to attack Nash infinitely."

"At the same time, you don't need to grab offensive rebounds! Keep an eye on the Lakers' counterattack!"

"O'Neal's offensive rebound will be relatively close. You retreat the moment O'Neal takes the shot! I don't believe the Lakers can still run and bomb like this!"

Wade and Eddie Jones nodded.

"Scotty! Teach that rookie a lesson." Pat Riley finally looked at Pippen.

This season he signed Pippen with the intention of letting him play as a substitute, but it turned out that the old guy got better and better. With O'Neal and Wade beside him, he played completely different from the way the Blazers struggled.

Then Pat Riley simply substituted Caron Bartley and let Pippen start.

This move proved to be very reasonable.

Caron Butler brings momentum to the bench, and Pippen serves as the strongest snake oil among the starters.

"I've been waiting for a long time!" Pippen replied dully.

Next, Pat Riley began to train the Heat's substitutes.

The reason why the Heat are strong this year is by no means just relying on the starting lineup.

Caron Butler, Alston, and Brian Grant on the bench are all very energetic, and their presence can allow veterans like the Heat to have sufficient time to rest.

"Let's end the Lakers' winning streak!"

"I think there are four teams that can compete with us for the championship this season." Magic took the Lakers coaching staff to a meeting.

"The Miami Heat are definitely the most powerful team. O'Neal is still very dominant, and the young rookie guard is just like a young Jordan without shooting ability!"

"The Boston Celtics, a strong team in last year's Finals, introduced Rasheed Wallace this year. Their record this season was not great due to the injuries of Tracy McGrady and Van Horn, but they made it to the playoffs. Their combat power may even exceed last year’s!”

"The Kings are currently behind us in terms of record. Although our tactics restrain their forward lineup to a certain extent, their opponent in the Western Conference Finals is likely to be them."

"With the Memphis Grizzlies, after Jerry West became the general manager of the Grizzlies, Carter and Gasol were imitating our tactics last season. It's hard to say what kind of impact Mr. West will continue to bring to this team. Change."

This is what Magic thinks is the biggest enemy for the Lakers on their way to the championship this season!

Others were injected into the Spurs, Timberwolves, and Philadelphia 76ers. Because of the addition of Ben, the Lakers did not suffer too much.

Overall, the Lakers' paper strength has surpassed that of any other team in the league.

"What we have to do is to ensure the health of the players while allowing the new players on the team to continue to grow and adapt."

"Yao Ming, Anthony, Randolph and others still have a lot of room for improvement."

The Lakers coaching staff wrote and drew and determined the next policy.

The first thing to face is the heat of the Christmas war.

December 25, 2003, Christmas night.

There are four Christmas games this year - Celtics VS Kings, Philadelphia 76ers VS Grizzlies, Pacers VS Timberwolves, and the last one is Lakers VS Heat.

The first three games were exciting. McGrady returned from injury and beat the Kings.

Iverson and Carter battled, and Iverson scored 57 points and won in double overtime.

The Pacers and Timberwolves had a defensive battle. In the end, the Timberwolves relied on Ray Allen's key three-pointer to win 85:79.

The super giants each have their own performance.

But fans are still looking forward to the final battle of the century!

When players from both sides came on the court, Kobe and O'Neal looked at each other, and everything was clear!

Game start!

O'Neal wins the jump ball.

In the first round, Wade and O'Neal started a pick-and-roll!

Malone pulled Ben to the weak side.

Kobe Bryant defends Wade.

Wade's advantage of low center of gravity and sufficient speed was reflected. Facing Kobe's pressing, he dodged with one step, and then used a pick-and-roll to get in front of Yao Ming!

Wade singles against Yao Ming!

Continuous crotch shaking!

Then he rushed to the basket like a thunderbolt, directly shook off Yao Ming, and dunked successfully!

"Dwyane Wade! Flash!"

"This is the Heat's biggest surprise this season!"

Wade puffed out his cheeks and roared! His eyes glanced at Anthony!

The provocation is unabashed.

"This guy!" Anthony felt a little unhappy instantly!

"Calm down! Carmelo!" Nash comforted Anthony. If Anthony started to act alone with the ball, he would be fooled.

Lakers ball rights!

Nash quickly advanced through halftime!

Wade bites up!

So aggressive!

"No wonder people say this guy is the 1.91 Jordan." Nash controlled the ball with his back, was knocked staggered, and was forced to pass the ball to Yao Ming.

"Can Dwayne suppress Nash!?" Pat Riley on the sidelines also wanted to know this.

After Nash handed over the ball, Wade raised his lips.

But that's it!

That’s it for this white point guard! With my speed and strength, I can easily crush him!

But the next moment, Nash passed by Yao Ming.

The basketball in Yao Ming's hands also appeared in Nash's hands without anyone noticing.

Wade woke up and Nash had already thrown the ball high in the middle distance.

Throw the board high from the free throw line and hit the basket!

stable!

"It doesn't look like it's going to work." Pat Riley did not feel disappointed. Nash is already a superstar, which is recognized by the US professional basketball coach.

Although Wade is extremely talented, he is still only an All-Star rookie.

Moreover, Wade is not based on defense.

"Let's see how long you can swing!"

The Heat continue to implement the tactics of killing Yao Ming!

Wade and O'Neal took turns attacking Yao Ming!

Yao Ming gave away two beautiful hats! But in the 8th minute of the first quarter, he also received his second foul and was substituted.

At this time, the Lakers beat the Heat at 21:17.

The Lakers have the advantage, but the advantage is not that big!

"Here he comes!" Pat Riley raised the corner of his mouth when he waited for Yao Ming to leave the field!

The opportunity has come!

Eddie Jones and Wade took turns beating Nash in singles!

Rehu played a wave of 8:0 to overtake the score!

At the end of the first quarter, the Lakers 26:31 the Heat!

The Lakers' run-and-gun system rarely failed!

"Fake!" Anthony cursed. Pippen, that old man, was crazy about making tricks on him in this quarter.

Now Anthony is covered in marks from Pippen!

Nash was also a little out of breath.

On the other hand, Kobe and Ben looked normal.

Wasn't it because the defense was blown away in the first quarter and fell behind by 5 points in a single quarter?

Small scene.

Next section!

Ginobili leads the Lakers bench to counterattack!

The Heat let Wade play with Caron Butler, Alston, and Brian Grant!

Wade fights the demon knife!

Barbosa and Wade!

Two lightnings started racing!

Wade was slightly better, but Ginobili took the opportunity to continuously penetrate the inside to complete the European step score.

When the Heat began to attack Yaodao, Korver and Bowen made consecutive three-pointers.

Seeing this scene, Wade's eyes flashed with light.

If only I learned this trick.

The Lakers relied on the excellent performance of their substitutes to gradually return to their disadvantage on the court.

Both sides started the game, and the Heat continued to attack Yao Ming.

They played like this. Although their scoring efficiency dropped, allowing the Lakers to take the lead, it also allowed Yao Ming to receive his third foul in the 9th minute of the second quarter.

After Yao Ming came off the court, the Lakers' offense became unsmooth again.

At the same time, on the defensive end, no Lakers player could resist O'Neal's impact.

At halftime, the Lakers drew with the Heat 57:57!

A fierce battle!

During this half of the game, the fans were mesmerized!

Superb technical and tactical performance!

Various performances of the stars!

A staggering score!

There is no doubt that this is the most difficult game the Lakers have played this season.

"The Heat limited the Lakers' half-time scoring to less than 57 points! At the same time, the Lakers only had 9 assists in the half!"

"Although compared to other teams, this kind of offense is still very good. But compared with themselves, they are not at their usual level!"

"Boys! Keep going like this!"

The second half begins!

Yao Ming began to shrink his stance.

Put Wade in the middle distance!

This is the defensive strategy of the Lakers coaching staff.

Yao Ming cannot be allowed to follow Wade O'Neal.

Just bet!

Bet on Wade not making the shot!

This time luck was not on the Lakers' side. Wade continuously used O'Neal's pick-and-rolls to hit difficult mid-range jumpers.

"This rookie is incredible!" Barkley exclaimed again and again!

He has also watched Wade's games, and the usual mid-range shots are also intermittent.

But in this crucial game, it just happened!

This kind of big heart is what many players lack nowadays!

"This year's rookies are really amazing!" Kenny Smith praised.

At the same time, Pippen tugged on Anthony's jersey with a wicked smile on his lips, "Did you see it? Compared to Dwayne, you are far behind!"

"Scotty! You guy, did you talk so much when you were beaten up by the boss!?" Anthony was angry.

Melon's words touched Pippen's pain.

"Damn boy! I will show you what cruelty is!"

Pippen worked harder to block Melo.

Yao Ming fouled out and Melo was blocked by Pippen.

The Lakers' tactical system was on the verge of collapse.