Starting from the last bus in the NBA

Chapter 316 The first round of the playoffs 1

Chapter 316 The first round of the playoffs 1

The Jazz fell into a very unfavorable situation at the beginning, but they were not in a hurry.

There are two old guys in the team who are Dinghaishenzhen. As long as the two are stable, there will be no problem.

Sure enough, in this offensive round, the Jazz directly opened up and played a pick-and-roll cooperation.

The pick-and-roll tactic is the simplest tactic in a basketball game.

But such a simple tactic, in the use of the two elders of the Jazz, is infinitely varied.

With a slight flick of Stockton's wrist, the basketball was already in the hands of Karl Malone.

The mid-range jumper hits steadily!

PJ Brown puts a step back when defending, mainly worried about Karl Malone's direct breakthrough.

It's not a defensive error, it can only be said that Karl Malone is in good condition.

The Supersonic's offense is still a continuation of the tactics just now. Gary Payton singles Stockton in the low post.

This time, Geron Collins made a good defensive choice, not directly double-teaming, but in a threatening position.

Moreover, this time Stockton's defense was really desperate, making Gary Payton's fadeaway jumper miss.

Looking back on the defense, the Sonics also changed their defense pick-and-roll strategy, choosing to delay Stockton in a wide range.

PJ Brown's confrontation ability is slightly weaker, but at this time, his speed advantage is reflected.

After delaying Stockton, he quickly returned to the defense and denied the ball to Karl Malone who cut inside.

John Stockton could only choose to come by himself, but his old footsteps failed to break through Gary Payton.

He could only choose to pass the ball to the flank, Kirilenko broke through again, and the mid-range shot came out of the box.

PJ Brown protected the rebound, but the Jazz retreated quickly and did not give a chance to counterattack.

Gary Payton was not in a hurry. After halftime, he passed the ball to Wang Hao and continued to ask for the ball in the low post.

This time, his shot finally went in.

8:2

The Jazz were not to be outdone. Stockton broke through after the pick-and-roll, and then passed the ball back to the outside.

Brian Russell's long two-pointer missed and the rebound was high, but the Jazz found an opportunity.

Geron Collins overwhelmed Lewis and hit the rebound into the basket.

No way, this is a major disadvantage of the Sonics, and they will always lose a few backcourt rebounds in every game.

8:4

During the attack, Wang Hao stopped watching, but cut inside decisively when Gary Payton was firmly seated in the low position.

Gary Payton didn't delay after seeing it, and he played the ball immediately, and Wang Hao singled out Jaron Collins and succeeded.

10:4

In this way, the Sonics have established a leading advantage in the score from the very beginning of the game.

The Jazz have been trying to find ways to chase points, but the Supersonics won't make them happy.

The two sides fell into a tug-of-war, and the Supersonics always maintained a point difference of more than 5 points.

The Jazz tried every means to chase points several times, but was extinguished by the Sonics' offense.

In the first half of the game, it always gave people a feeling that the Supersonics were at ease.

It can be said that half of the game has been played, and it seems that the Supersonics have not yet seen their strength.

The same is true.

10 points, 3 rebounds and 4 assists. This is Wang Hao's performance in the first half. It can be said that he failed.

Of course, this is just looking at the data, but looking at the hands, 5 of 3 shots and 2 of 1 three-pointers, this efficiency is not low.

In general, it is just one sentence, Wang Hao hasn't exerted his strength yet.

"Okay, the leisure time is over, when the second half starts, I want to end the fight in five minutes.

I don't want to continue to entangle with my opponent when I see the fourth quarter, understand? "

"Yes, Mr. Coach."

The supersonic players answered in unison, they are also full of confidence in such an arrangement.

That's right, Paul Westphal's best tactical arrangement early in the morning, don't worry too much in the first half, and take away the victory directly in the second half.

"Wang, in the third quarter, the team will hand over the basketball to you. I hope you can solve the game directly."

"No problem at all."

49:42

Looking at the point difference in the first half of the game, Jerry Sloan was not in a hurry, it was just a 7-point difference.

He put the team's focus in the second half on offense, and first equalized the score before pursuing the possibility of victory.

However, he also knows that the Sonics' defense is not bad.

So, on the basis of the pick-and-roll coordination, he made a series of arrangements.

Jerry Sloan and the Jazz players are full of confidence. They believe that the second half will surprise the Sonics.

At the start of the second half, it was still PJ Brown who grabbed the ball.

Gary Payton handed the ball to Wang Hao directly in the backcourt. Wang Hao looked up, but found something different.

The one defending Wang Hao was directly replaced by Brian Russell.

Obviously, Jerry Sloan was not very satisfied with Kirilenko's defense against Wang Hao in the first half.

Faced with Wang Hao's constant interspersed moves, Kirilenko was a little unable to keep up, and Wang Hao would always get a chance.

Although Wang Hao only scored 10 points in the first half, don't forget that he still has 4 assists.

Wang Hao didn't delay, and simply handed the ball to Gary Payton, and then immediately went to the inside to get a position.

Everyone pulled away to give Wang Hao a one-on-one chance.

Compared with Gary Payton, because of his higher back, he is actually not afraid of assisting defense when playing low singles.

Unless the opponent directly let go of his opponent player, he should be ready to help defend early.

Otherwise, even an inside player would not be able to cover him.

Wang Hao was blocked by Brian Russell, and he caught the ball steadily, without rushing to make a move.

He first observed the opponent's position, and Karl Malone was eyeing him on the line.

Wang Hao leaned on Brian Russell and pushed forward suddenly. He was adjusting the rhythm.

Sure enough, Karl Malone also reacted when he just made a move. He was preparing to double-team.

As for PJ Brown, who said he defended, just let it go.

Wang Hao did not pass the ball in a hurry, but turned his back very smoothly, and directly leaned back to shoot.

Because of the confrontation just now, Brian Russell actually suffered a disadvantage, and he didn't adjust his defensive posture immediately.

Wang Hao suddenly leaned back and shot, he couldn't react in time.

As for Karl Malone, he also came late, and could only watch Wang Hao make a move.

"Shh!"

Without any surprises, Wang Hao's shot fell steadily into the basket.

In defending low post singles, if there is no advantage in strength, then half of the defense has already failed.

51:42

With a 9-point difference, the Jazz players instantly lifted their spirits as they were about to break through to double digits.

John Stockton dribbled the ball across half court, he made a slight adjustment at the top of the arc, and then immediately handed the ball to Karl Malone.

That's right, the Jazz's choice is actually similar to that of the Supersonics, and they also choose to believe in the star.

It's just that, while he was catching the ball, the Supersonic's double-team had already caught up.

More than that, the Sonics' defense is already in rotation. Once Karl Malone passes the ball, someone will immediately defend Stockton.

In the same way, Karl Malone chose to believe in himself.

Before Gary Payton's double-team defense came, he chose to break through and stared at PJ Brown for a shot.

It has to be said that with his big elbow, he pushed PJ Brown away with just such a push, and gained room for shooting.

It's a bit like a throw, and a bit like a hook. Although it feels awkward, the basketball still goes straight to the basket.

"Shh!"

I have to say that Karl Malone is really good. At nearly 40 years old, he can still average 22+8+4 per game.

Facing such a player, PJ Brown can defend him once, but it is impossible to defend him all the time.

Even if you have teammates to help, it won't work!

This goal did not disrupt the rhythm of the Sonics, they played according to their habits as always.

Rashad Lewis served the ball immediately, and Gary Payton quickly advanced with the ball, looking for opportunities.

At this moment, Wang Hao also ran up from behind.

Gary Payton didn't delay, and immediately passed the ball, which happened to be given to Wang Hao who was outside the three-point line.

Brian Russell in front of him didn't lose his position, he stood firmly in front of Wang Hao.

It's just that Wang Hao just feels that the current feeling is very good, and the rhythm is just on point.

Without any hesitation, Wang Hao stepped up from the back row and voted directly.

After all, Wang Hao is not a rookie. He is the league's scoring leader and a star that is highly anticipated by the entire NBA.

All teams in the NBA have studied the offensive methods he is good at.

Naturally, Brian Russell also knew, he knew that Wang Hao had such a move, and shot a cold arrow from outside the three-point line in the counterattack.

He was well prepared, and when he saw Wang Hao make a sudden shot, in fact, his defense was in place.

However, when Bryan Russell's defense was fine, Wang Hao's shot still made a steady hit.

54:44

The third quarter scored 5 points in a row at the beginning of the first quarter. Wang Hao has indeed adjusted his state to the highest level.

Jerry Sloan also saw that something was wrong. This is what he was most afraid of in the game against the Supersonics.

Once Wang Hao is completely opened up, it will be unstoppable!

However, just as Jerry Sloan was thinking about how to adjust his defense, Wang Hao scored again.

A wonderful back run, Gary Payton passed the ball tacitly to help Wang Hao score a layup.

"Brian, cheer me up!"

"Carl, pay attention to protecting the inside line and guarding the basket!"

……

However, as soon as Jerry Sloan's voice fell, Wang Hao made another contribution from the outside.

After Jerry Sloan reminded, the Jazz did not allow Wang Hao to catch the ball easily.

Wang Hao is also very straightforward, he plays directly without the ball, and looks for opportunities to score offensively by constantly running without the ball.

Constantly running positions, and then having teammates to help pick and roll, finally let Wang Hao find a chance.

Shot from outside the three-point line, piercing the heart with an arrow!

59:44

Seeing that the point difference widened to 15 points, and might even exceed 20 points at any time, Jerry Sloan didn't dare to be careless and called a timeout.

"Guys, cheer me up, you hear me, don't let Wang score so easily.

This is the playoffs, not the regular season, and like a man, turn up the intensity of the defense.

We are here to win, not to lose.

With such a mentality, it is better to admit defeat and surrender in advance, so that it will be easier. "

……

After the timeout, facing the players on the bench, Jerry Sloan did not rush to make tactical arrangements.

Because he also understands that now it's not just a question of tactics.

In terms of strength, there is indeed a strength gap between the Jazz and the Supersonics, Jerry Sloan has to admit.

In the case of a gap in strength itself, the opponent's state is still very good, which is not good for the Jazz.

At this time, just adjusting tactics will definitely help the Jazz to a limited extent.

Because this is not just a question of tactics, but a gap in strength.

What can make up for the gap in strength?

Naturally, it is the spirit, which is usually referred to as momentum. Competitive sports place great importance on momentum.

Insufficient momentum, under the huge power gap, the disadvantaged party will even give up voluntarily.

As a well-known head coach in the NBA, Jerry Sloan naturally knows what the team is facing and what to do.

First, he cheered for a while, and then he arranged the team's tactics. In the next game, limiting Wang Hao's performance is the key.

How to limit?

It is natural to increase confrontation, don't worry about fouls, and double-team as much as possible when necessary.

Back in the game again, the Jazz really did just that.

When Wang Hao played singles with the ball, the surrounding defenders immediately double-teamed him.

As for the other Supersonic players who were let go, there is no way.

It's a pity that the overall state of the Sonics is good today.

Wang Hao scored the ball at the first time, and Michael Reed scored an air cut layup, which easily helped the SuperSonics score another two points.

As for increasing defensive strength, one thing is unavoidable, and that is fouls.

The referee's whistle sounded one after another, and Wang Hao, who walked to the free throw line, showed no mercy.

34:20

The gap of 14 points in a single quarter almost made the Jazz desperate.

More importantly, it seems that no matter what they do, they can't solve the problem of defense.

This is what is most depressing.

In addition, that's what Wang Hao did, and it was a further stab at their original spirit.

The performance of 18 points in a single quarter really made the Jazz a little weak.

Wang Hao killed the game with one quarter, not just one quarter, but only one quarter.

85:62

The 23-point difference seems to have sentenced the Jazz to death.

When the fourth quarter came, the Jazz struggled again, and they continued to send the main lineup.

However, the effect is not great.

You know, this is the playoffs, all teams are doing their best, and mistakes are unlikely.

Moreover, there is less than one quarter before the end of the game.

To achieve a comeback, I don't know that the Jazz needs to perform exceptionally well, and the Supersonics also need to cooperate.

Unfortunately, this is impossible.

Not only that, at the beginning of the fourth quarter, Paul Westphal continued to use Wang Hao.

Wang Hao hit 2 consecutive three-pointers again, further opening up the score, and the point difference went straight to 30 points.

Jerry Sloan finally accepted defeat, took the initiative to replace the main lineup, and sent a substitute.

The opponent has disarmed and surrendered, so the Supersonics will not go too far, and they have also replaced the main force.

Even a few water dispenser administrators got in time to play.

If the Sonics can win the championship in the end, they will have playing time, and they will be able to pass the championship ring by then.

(End of this chapter)