The Godfather of Basketball

The opening ceremony of the Toyota Center is still magnificent.

The cheers at the scene were deafening.

This is no longer the space city with sparse attendance three years ago, but the home court of the Dynasty team!

The starters on both sides were introduced one after another.

The Cavaliers have a big and four small lineup, with O'Neal playing center, Artest and James on the front line, Matthews and Lou Williams on the outside.

The Rockets have a regular lineup: center Yao Ming, Yi Jianlian and Battier on the front line, Tracy McGrady and Billups on the outside.

With the whistle of the referee, the game officially started.

Yao Ming beat his old rival Shaquille O'Neal and gave the home team the opportunity to take the lead in attacking.

Although Tang Tian is no longer coaching, his tactical system is still with the Rockets. After Billups dribbles to the frontcourt, he gives the ball to Yao Ming to support him.

After running for a while, McGrady made an air cut layup.

Unlike against the Celtics, the Cavaliers did not dare to shrink the inside line because the other four players on the field except Yao Ming all had strong three-point capabilities.

In the Cavaliers' offense, James received the ball from the low post on the right and hit Yi Jianlian head-on. Battier directly assisted in the defense, and James scored the ball to Artest.

Artest missed a three-pointer and Yao Ming received a defensive rebound.

The Rockets advanced to the frontcourt, and it was still Yao Ming's high-level support. Seeing that his teammates had no chance, he turned around and hit O'Neal.

After two free throws, the Rockets have a 4-0 lead.

Although Yi Jianlian's golf quotient has declined, his speed is not slow, and the small lineup of the Cavaliers did not reflect the power it should have.

This is also the same as Tang Tian predicted before the game. The Cavaliers started at a disadvantage.

At the end of the first quarter, the Rockets led the Cavaliers by 10 points 30-20.

In the second quarter, the Cavaliers had five substitutes, and the Rockets were led by McGrady.

Matthews couldn't stop McGrady's footsteps, and the Cavaliers' substitutes couldn't take advantage of it.

After the first half, the Cavaliers fell behind by as much as 16 points.

60 to 44, the two sides entered the intermission.

"The Cavaliers' small lineup has lost the power they had when they played in the Eastern Conference finals. Don's ultimate weapon is no longer working." Kenny Smith from the commentary booth said.

"In fact, I really approve of Tang. It is a miracle that he can bring this Cavaliers team to the finals. If the two teams are of equal strength, I believe that the team led by Tang will definitely be the final winner. , But unfortunately that kind of thing can only be if, the Cavaliers have no chance." Barkley on the side followed.

His mouth was still wide, but this time no one thought there was anything wrong with what he was saying.

"Well done, we maintain this rhythm, I believe we can do it." During the intermission, Tang Tian encouraged his players.

Back in the second half, the Cavaliers replaced O'Neal and Matthews with Kwame Brown and Danny Green.

The Rockets' starting lineup has not changed.

The Cavaliers attacked, James' breakthrough was blocked by Yao Ming, and Yi Jianlian grabbed a defensive rebound.

After the ball was exchanged, the Rockets attacked the frontcourt, and Yao Ming received the ball from the low post and turned around to beat Brown to score.

Brown's body is very thick, and it is effective against Perkins, Shaquille O'Neal, and even Howard, but he is almost a wooden stake in front of Yao Ming.

"Is the Cavaliers fighting with wheels? But they can't stop Yao and T-mac, it's useless!" Barkley shouted in the commentary booth.

"Do they have a better way?" Kenny Smith smiled helplessly.

Yao Ming is not Howard, you cut him to give points, and the Rockets are so good at three-pointers from the outside, you don't even dare to shrink.

The Rocket team created by Tang Tian has almost no weaknesses.

The game continued on the court, the Cavaliers continued to attack the Rockets' basket, but Yao Ming was in charge, and they had little effect.

However, the small lineup of the Cavaliers has a lot of loopholes in the interior defense, and the point difference continues to be widened.

Halfway through the third quarter, the Cavaliers trailed by as much as 22 points.

Even the Cavaliers fans in front of the TV don't think there is much hope for the Cavaliers.

"Shaq, Wesley, you go." Tang Tian called O'Neal and Matthews from the bench.

Yao Ming's shot caused a foul by Brown's thugs, and the game entered dead time.

O'Neal and Matthews replaced Brown and Artest.

Yao Ming made two free throws, and the Rockets had a 24-point lead.

"Give up, man!" Barkley was a little powerless to complain.

"Never give up!" James yelled at his players as he charged forward with the ball.

He was most touched by Tang Tian's mobilization before the game.

His positioning of himself is not only to become the first man in the league, but also the first man in history.

The most difficult step in front of him is also his biggest opportunity. Even if he is behind by 30 points, or even 40 points, as long as Tang Tian does not replace him, he will not give up.

With the cooperation of the Cavaliers in the frontcourt, Green came out to catch a pass from James and made a three-pointer.

Battier's struggling to defend successfully interfered.

"boom!"

The ball bounced out of the basket.

Yao Ming accepted the defensive rebound and turned around to find Billups.

But at this moment, James swooped in and snatched the ball.

Yao Ming knelt down and grabbed back, and the two got entangled.

The referee quickly blows his whistle, indicating that this is a scrimmage.

James waved his arms excitedly, and was pulled up by his teammates.

In the scrimmage between the two, Yao Ming allocated the ball to Billups, which was still the possession of the Rockets.

Billups went to the frontcourt and handed the ball to Yao Ming.

The rest of the Cavaliers defended hard and did not give a chance. McGrady made several reverse runs and was clung to by Matthews.

After resting off the court for most of the quarter, Matthews is quite energetic.

Seeing that there was no chance, Yao Ming turned around and hit O'Neal, still with continuous beautiful steps.

However, O'Neal was also full of energy when he first played, and he didn't give Yao Ming a good chance to make a move.

Yao Ming chose the outside hook.

"boom!"

The ball was slightly deflected, O'Neal stuck Yao Ming tightly, and James rushed in to receive the defensive rebound.

After James got the ball, he turned and ran forward.

Yao Ming took a breath, and buried himself in the chase.

James dribbled past Battier and Yi Jianlian, met McGrady to the three-point line in the frontcourt, and gave it to Matthews who followed closely. The latter made a fast break and scored a layup.

The point difference is still 22 points.

The Rockets' frontcourt offense, McGrady used Battier's pick-and-roll to throw off the clingy Matthews, and turned around after receiving the ball.

"boom!"

His shot also missed a bit wide.

O'Neal received the defensive rebound, turned around and gave it to James, and James took the ball and rushed forward.

At this moment, Tang Tian on the sidelines noticed a detail.

Yao Ming gave up chasing back, but walked back panting heavily.

Casey and Cassel noticed this too, and finally a smile appeared on their faces.

Tang Tian's strategy finally started to work!