The Godfather of Basketball

"If they suffer a bit and start to shrink the inside line, then this tactic may end up being a game that tests the stability of our outside pitchers." Cassell continued.

Tang Tian paused for a moment, then thought about it.

According to Cassel, there is a problem.

The defensive system of the Celtics is no worse than that of the Cavaliers. Shrinking the penalty area will indeed make it difficult to score from the inside. At that time, there will be opportunities from the outside. If you can make a shot, the game will be easy. .

After all, it is a new tactic, which is a bit of a double-edged sword.

After a two-day break, the first game of the Eastern Conference semifinals kicked off in Cleveland against the Cavaliers and Celtics.

Two years ago, Tang Tian led the Cavaliers to play against the Celtics. At that time, the two sides played 4-2. The Cavaliers pulled three consecutive rounds to advance after falling behind 1-2. It is a classic.

This rematch seems like a continuation of a feud for both sides.

Cleveland fans are also quite excited.

After going through the first round, they found that without James, this Cavaliers team is still so strong, which greatly increased their confidence in the team's impact on the three consecutive championships.

The Quicken Loans Arena was packed that night, and the fans put on the red T-shirts distributed on the spot, and the atmosphere in the entire arena was extremely high.

In the low growl of the live DJ's voice, the starting players of both sides were introduced.

The Cavaliers used the regular lineup here, with Paul and Green on the perimeter, Butler and Battier on the front line, and Yao Ming at the center.

For the Celtics, as expected by Tang Tian and Cassel, Bass, who started the regular season, did not appear in the starting lineup. Rondo and Ray Allen were on the outside, and Pierce and Garcia were on the front line. Nate, the center is Stearnsma.

Amidst the cheers of the fans at the scene, Yao Ming jumped and beat Steen Simma, which officially opened the curtain of the series between the two sides.

Paul took the ball to the frontcourt, and Yao Ming's pick-and-roll.

The Celtics chose to shrink the penalty area, and Paul returned the ball to Yao Ming.

Pierce switched over directly.

Yao Ming chose a mid-range shot.

Pierce's defense speed is considered fast, but the height difference between him and Yao Ming is too large, and the interference of reaching out does not stop Yao Ming's sight.

"Shua!"

Yao Ming made his first mid-range shot.

Rondo took the ball to the frontcourt, the Celtics' half-court run tactic, and Ray Allen's three-point tactic.

The Cavaliers strikers switched defenses very quickly, and Battier's personal touch directly destroyed the Celtics' tactics.

Seeing that time was running out, Rondo stretched out his hand to signal to open the space, and then directly handed the ball to Garnett in the high position.

After receiving the ball, Garnett leaned his back against Butler, raised the ball high with his right hand, glanced at the Cavaliers without double-teaming, and directly chose to play with his back. After two turns, he turned and stepped to the basket, facing Yao Ming's high Hit the board.

Butler's defense is very aggressive, but it's more for guards or forward swingers. It's almost useless against Garnett's big insiders. The most realistic situation is that Garnett holds the ball high. He even Can't reach the ball.

With Paul's advance, Yao Ming was still looking for a pick-and-roll in the frontcourt. At this time, the Celtics' defensive tactics changed. Rondo grabbed the position in advance and no longer gave Yao Ming a chance to pick-and-roll.

Paul tried several times without success, so he directly let Yao Ming drop high, and after giving the ball in, he stretched out his hand to signal his teammates to run to respond to the attack.

Butler and Green's off-the-ball pick-and-roll, Green ran out and gave Paul a pick-and-roll, Paul accelerated away from Pierce, received a pass from Yao Ming and shot a three-pointer at a 45-degree angle on the right.

"boom!"

The shot was slightly shorter, and the basketball hit the hoop.

Garnett turned around to collect the defensive rebound, but at this moment, Yao Ming turned around and used his speed to shake off Steensma, reach the basket and reach out, and hit the ball into the basket before Garnett.

Rondo took the ball to the front court. This time he directly signaled Pierce to pick and roll Garnett without the ball, and then gave the ball in after breaking it.

This intention is obvious, it is necessary to use personal ability to eat the Cavaliers' striker raw.

Paul directly double-teamed.

But at this moment, Rondo made an empty cut to the basket, received a pass from Garnett, and scored with a low-handed layup.

4 to 4.

Completely different from what I imagined, the two teams actually played against each other in the opening game.

Tang Tian looked at the field thoughtfully.

The defensive strength of the two teams is actually not weak. This situation is not so much a confrontational battle, but it does not mean that no one can pinch the opponent.

Yao Ming's flexibility is much better than Steinsma's. It is difficult for the Celtics to limit him. Conversely, Garnett is not a player who only looks at the basket like Anthony. He has the ability to attack. And coping ability, even if you are old, the two short strikers of the single-player Cavaliers are enough to drink a pot.

After playing for more than four minutes, the score between the two sides was 9 to 10, and the Cavaliers were still 1 point behind.

"Our striker's height is too disadvantageous." Casey turned to Tang Tian at this time and said.

Tang Tian nodded, then got up and called Varejao and Carter up.

The previous starting lineup was not changed. On the one hand, it was because they did not want to destroy the team's offensive chemical reaction.

Looking at it for a while, the offensive end is fine, but the defensive end is indeed too big because of the height gap, and the double-team defense that was previously relied on for survival has also failed.

Paul's breakthrough caused Steensma's thug foul, got two free throw opportunities, and the game entered dead ball time.

The Cavaliers made substitution adjustments, Varejao and Carter replaced Butler and Green.

Rivers paused when he saw the adjustment.

The Cavaliers' substitution came much earlier than normal, and after the adjustment, the team's average height on the court went up immediately.

Paul made two free throws and the Cavaliers took the lead.

Rondo took the ball to the frontcourt and still called Pierce to do a single block for Garnett.

Butler went down, but Battier was still on the court, and he was not much taller than Butler.

But this time the pick-and-roll was miscalculated. Carter used his experience to grab a position in front of Pierce ahead of time. Battier went directly to replace Ray Allen. The Celtics' tactical intention was destroyed in advance.

Rondo immediately signaled Garnett to do an off-ball pick-and-roll for Ray Allen.

As a point guard who is more paranoid than Kidd, Rondo has the nickname "field coach", and his ability to read the game is not ordinary.

As the Big Three ages, his rise in the low post and his own growth, that feeling becomes more and more apparent.

After Battier's speed was picked and rolled, Varejao's speed couldn't keep up with Ray Allen, who managed to run a chance.

Rondo flicked the ball for the first time.

"Shua!"

Ray Allen made a three-pointer.

13 to 11, the Celtics went back again.