The Way of the Center

Winter, in addition to the snow, is also the peak season for players to be injured. If you do some excessive wear and tear on your body without sufficient warm-up at low temperature, it is very easy to get injured.

The excited Lillard originally wanted to maintain his condition through good training so that he could play at his level against Irving. But now, this duel is over before it even begins.

After being sent to the hospital, the doctor diagnosed that Lillard was only slightly sprained, and he could return to normal after three or four days of rest. The injury is not serious, which is already a blessing in misfortune. But tomorrow's game against the Cavaliers is not so optimistic for the Trail Blazers.

"Take a good rest and don't think about anything. This season is still very long, and there are still many places to use you." Ricard kept comforting Lillard, but in fact he was already very anxious inside.

The absence of Lillard's sharp knife is really a big blow to the Trail Blazers. As for the No. 1 position, only the old Miller can take the top position. Anjie's teammate Earl Watson when he was in the Thunder is no longer suitable for such an important game. Ricard must not gamble with Watson in this important game.

While trying to comfort his players, he himself was in a state of desperation. Ricard is really cornered now, he has no choice but to face it.

Now that the Internet media is extremely developed, the news of Lillard's injury spread all over the world two hours after Anjie and the others arrived at the hospital.

People did not expect that such a breaking news would suddenly pop up at noon in this cold winter. Although the Trail Blazers are Anjie's team, Lillard's role in it is also not to be underestimated. Lillard is absent from tomorrow's game, and the combat effectiveness of the Trail Blazers will definitely be greatly reduced.

Now, Cleveland fans can cheer. Although they may not necessarily be the final winners, their chances of winning have undoubtedly become greater because of Lillard's injury.

After Lillard's mood stabilized, Anjie and Ricard also quickly returned to the training ground. The game will start tomorrow, but now their main point guard is unable to play. Many tactical and training things have to be adjusted accordingly. For example, the quick counterattack that Ricard has always emphasized can no longer be done now.

The old Miller is 38 years old, he can't run around the court like Lillard. And this guy can't play 34 minutes a game like Lillard. The difficulties facing the Trail Blazers came one after another. I have to say that this time, James is really lucky.

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With trepidation, Portland fans lined up to enter the arena. At this time, players from both the Trail Blazers and the Cavaliers have already warmed up.

James, Irving and Love all seemed very focused during the warm-up. It seems that these three new giants do not intend to let go of this opportunity to justify their names.

On the commentary stage, Lillard's injury was the most discussed. After all, this unexpected factor has already affected the game that has not yet started.

When the starting five from both sides stepped onto the field to prepare for the start of the game, the cameras of the photographers were fixed on the old Miller's face. No one knows what the old Miller will look like in the starting lineup. The performance of this guy will directly affect the outcome of the game.

In this way, the 38-year-old "senior" Andre Miller once again served as the starter. He was fully focused and ready to catch the basketball shot by An Jie.

"Brazilian actor" Anderson Varejao is gearing up, Lillard is not here, even the Brazilians are full of confidence in this game!

The referee whistled, and the orange basketball flew straight up. Immediately afterwards, An Jie and Varejao both jumped up. However, Anjie's obvious height advantage still allowed him to win the first striker for the Trail Blazers.

The old Miller pushed forward with the ball, and it seemed that this guy was still playing calmly.

Old Miller was not afraid of Irving's defense. The kid's strengths were in offense and defense. Irving was a complete layman.

So the old Miller didn't hesitate, reached out and called a pick-and-roll.

Aldridge mentioned the high position without hesitation, the old Miller saw the opportunity, and the attack was officially launched.

Through the pick-and-roll, Miller, who successfully passed Irving cleanly, began to look for his intended target. Anjie currently keeps Varejao firmly behind him, and it seems that he is already in position.

Miller didn't hesitate, and took advantage of this opportunity to hit the ground with a pass. However, the basketball did not fly into An Jie's hands as he wished before. Just as the basketball bounced off the floor, a gust of wind blew past Old Miller's cheek, and the basketball was blown away together!

"Kelly Irving! Incredible steal! A second ago, this guy was still entangled with Aldridge, but now, he is running with the ball all the way, ready to complete this fast break!" Accompanied by Mike Brin's surprised big Shouting, Irving crossed the entire court, and before all the Trail Blazers players came back from defense, he completed a powerful one-handed dunk!

"Good job!" After Irving scored, James rushed up and touched the young guard's head. A teammate who is more energetic and impactful than Wade, James can't put it down!

"My fault, my fault, too careless!" Old Miller did not shirk his responsibility, but raised his hand to admit his mistake. It was only the first ball, and Irving caused trouble for the old Miller. It seems that today, Miller will play very hard.

In the next few rounds, the two sides attacked and defended each other. The Cavaliers' offense is indeed better than that of the Heat, and James' two new teammates performed very well.

When the score became 12 to 8, An Jie glanced at the bench. Ricard, who was four points behind, didn't say anything, signaling the game to continue.

An Jie clapped his hands, and the Blazers players immediately ran towards the opponent's half.

Anjie and Varejao started a fierce hand-to-hand fight. You must know that the Brazilian may have more small moves than Anjie, so it is very difficult for Anjie to get a position.

Just when No. 00 of the Trail Blazers managed to occupy a favorable position and was about to raise his hand to ask for the ball, the situation on the field changed again!

In an instant, the Trail Blazers, who were originally on the offensive, became the defensive team again. And the Cavaliers are still at the forefront, Kelly Irving!

Before Irving made contact with Miller Sr., he had already estimated his passing route. It seems that before the start of this game, Irving must have done a lot of homework. Owen has now studied clearly how the old Miller will pass the ball under what circumstances.

When he fought against Owen before, An Jie felt that this kid had some aura at most. But now, when Irving became one of the James Corps, Anjie really realized the horror of this young guard.

The experienced old Miller was intercepted by Owen for two consecutive goals, and Irving also seized these two fast break opportunities.

"Kelly Irving's performance is really outstanding! He brought a lot of trouble to the Trail Blazers, and Andre Miller can no longer fight against these new-age players based on experience alone." Mike Breen was unbelievable Yelling, you know, in the Moda Center, there are very few people who can steal the limelight from Anjie. But today, Irving did it.

For several minutes in a row, Owen locked the old Miller tightly. And his offense usually makes Miller unable to cope. Ricard is already battered, because now the Trail Blazers' bench can't find a candidate for the No. 1 position that can be used.

"Courtney! You go up and replace Miller. Tell everyone, let Iguodala control the ball!" There is no way, Ricard can only repeat the old trick and let Iguodala play the role of point forward.

A foul by Aldridge on Love put the game in a dead-ball situation, and Courtney Lee bounced onto the pitch and communicated Ricard's arrangement to everyone.

In the first two rounds, the Cavaliers, who were not slowed down, really let Iguodala pass a few good passes. But when James knew what was going on, he began to put more energy into defense. Since then, the Blazers' offense has once again been chaotic.

Time passed by every minute and every second, and the rotation of the two sides quickly took over the game. In the Trail Blazers' second team, there is no one who can handle the ball.

Nicolas Batum's passing ability is very good, but good passing does not mean good organization. Batum was able to pass that flash of inspiration, but he couldn't continue this performance.

On the other hand, the Cavaliers, although the Australian defender Dellavedova is not a master of organization, he can at least sort out the Cavaliers' offense in an orderly manner.

In this way, the Trail Blazers, who played in a mess, were chased and beaten by reality. At the end of the first quarter, James shook his fist hard. Playing against the Trail Blazers has never been as fun as it is today!

34 to 26, Cleveland, with a poor record, actually led the Trail Blazers by eight points at the Moda Center! In the second quarter, the Cavaliers will attack first. If they can seize that opportunity, the point difference will be widened to double digits in an instant.

Irving's performance of 10 points and 3 steals in the first quarter is undoubtedly the biggest reason why the Cavaliers can take the lead. Lillard was injured, and the Trail Blazers really couldn't resist Irving's impact at the first position.

After the players rested, Ricard did not speak for a long time. He knew that Lillard's absence would bring a lot of difficulties to the team, but he didn't expect the impact to be so great.

Just when Ricard was at a loss, An Jie suddenly stood up from the bench.

"Give me the ball, and I'll be in charge of the team's offense." An Jie stood among the crowd and said firmly.

Everyone looked up at him, even Ricard.

"I can't help it. Our offense was too chaotic in the first quarter. I know the Cavaliers are not an ordinary team, but I want to try to take over the game." Anjie looked at Ricard, Ricard Immediately picked up the tactical board and began to draw tactics with An Jie as the core of the attack.

James looked at the Trail Blazers bench on the other side of the court. At this time, Anjie and Ricard were surrounded by everyone. Although the Cavaliers are leading at this time, James is still a little worried. God knows what crazy ideas those two guys can come up with.

"LeBron, are you listening?" Cavaliers coach David Blatt yelled, pulling James back from his thoughts.

"Well, I know, give Kelly more space and continue to attack the opponent's vacancy." James repeated the words of the head coach verbatim. Although he was observing every move of the Trail Blazers, it did not mean that he completely Distracted.

"Very good. Everyone performed very well in the first quarter. Keep up the good work. Let's go home with victory!" Blatter waved his fist, and the players of the Cavaliers also roared.

The electronic buzzer sounded, and the second quarter of the game between the two sides was about to begin. An Jie stepped onto the field looking confident. It's as if it's not him who is behind now, but the Cavaliers.

"Are you ready, LeBron, you are in trouble!" An Jie said to himself in his heart, and promised to help Lillard hold the city, so he must not break his promise!

Take over the game, start the second quarter...