Basketball: Dayao Reopened

That's the end of the first game of the finals.

The result did not exceed everyone's expectations.

But the whole process is indeed somewhat unexpected.

No one thought that the Pacers, lacking a general, could stand in a stalemate with the Rockets for three quarters, and it was delayed until the last quarter before losing the game... This is really unexpected!

"The main reason lies entirely with me. I played so badly today. This is the reason why we played so hard!" Francis attributed the fault to himself.

It's not that he is sensible, but that he played in the whole game. His shooting percentage was over 40%, only 16 points and 5 assists, and 5 turnovers. This is the first time since entering the playoffs. Behaved so badly.

Yao Ming was interviewed next to him, and when he heard him take the initiative to "back the pot", he also directly excused him: "This is our style of play. We consume the opponent's core players in this way. This is what we won afterwards. The point is, and although the whole process was a bit difficult, we did win in the end... We can't expect a team that can only come out of the Eastern Conference Finals to be easily defeated by us!"

Tom did not take the anxiety of the game to heart: "Guys, if the finals were so good, it would not be the finals. The Pacers showed their tenacity, but in the end we won. It’s a good start, let’s see what happens next!"

He really does not care that the Rockets did not win easily. This is the first game of the Finals. The Pacers are a team they have never met since January. Of course there will be an adjustment and adaptation. The process of the opponent's offensive and defensive tactics, the first quarter of this game, is actually such a process, and after finding a way to limit the Pacers, the Rockets actually started to take the initiative in the second half of the third quarter of the game. , Is equivalent to just a quarter and a half of effort, the Rockets gradually restricted the Pacers, this speed is not too slow, right?

Moreover, the probing process of the next game can be omitted directly. Judging from the experience of Tom's coaching for so many years, they will easily win the second game of the finals.

This is why Tom is not nervous.

It is also the reason why Carlisle's face has been calm when facing the reporter's interview at this moment.

Especially when the reporter asked "The Pacers played very tenaciously in this game, is it out of your expectation", his brows suddenly frowned.

What's more, we almost lose the next game, and you still ask this kind of question, idiot!

He cursed secretly in his heart.

In this game, the Pacers were very tenacious in the eyes of outsiders, but Carlisle saw only two words at the end of the whole game...desperate!

Especially when the game progressed to the last quarter, Carlisle felt like he was watching the Rockets take a sharp knife and then pierce his heart, but he could not do anything...speaking bluntly. One point, the Rockets coaching staff has completely found a way to contain the Pacers. It is to use the "wheel battle" to separately consume the Pacers Artest and O'Neal. As long as these two guys are tired, the Pacers will do it again. There is no chance of winning!

In fact, it is true, anyway, if you let Carlisle come to change the formation, he really can't find a good way, he can only watch.

And such a thing, he has to continue to watch in the second game of the finals, do you think he is in a good mood now?

"86 to 96, we are not so easy to admit defeat! 》

"Playing spirit, the Indiana Pacers are not such a good bone to chew!" 》

"The first game of the finals, "It's a glorious defeat" Pacers soldiers! 》

The Indiana media didn't know it. On the contrary, they were very satisfied with the performance of the Pacers in the first game of the Finals.

From their point of view, they played a "spiritual" in this game!

Let the entire league, especially the Rockets, know that the Pacers will not be easily defeated!

More importantly, without Rasheed Wallace, the Pacers can compete with the Rockets for three quarters. When Rasheed Wallace returns, the Pacers will not have the same as the Rockets. Compete, even defeat the strength of the Rockets!

How can this not make the Indiana media feel excited?

You know, in the eyes of the outside world, even the complete Pacers could not be the opponents of the Rockets, and there is no way, who will let the Rockets keep up with the Lakers with the "OK" combination this season. Has the season's championship Spurs overturned? In the eyes of most media, this Rockets is already a championship!

But now, it turns out that the Pacers are also a championship-level team!

They can compete with the Rockets...Isn’t it, the Pacers of the “cannibal” played against the Rockets for three quarters and it’s hard to tell the victory or defeat!

Therefore, in the opinion of the Indiana media, even if the second game is still lost, it does not matter. The most important thing is to play out the tenacity of the Pacers and maintain the self-confidence of the Pacers!

In this way, as long as you wait for Rasheed Wallace to return, the Pacers will form a "complete" lineup, and the horn of counterattack can be sounded immediately...

What did the Houston media say before?

Oh, yes, in the history of the Finals, only the Boston Celtics in 1969 and the Portland Trail Blazers in 1977 have completed the reversal when they are behind 0-2, and the others are 2-0. The leading team won the championship trophy in the end! So good, the third team in NBA history to complete a reversal with 0-2 behind will appear in the finals of this season, and that is their Indiana Pacers!

Like the Indiana media, the Pacers players became more confident after their first game. This was when they stepped into the Toyota Center again a day later to face the boos of Rockets fans. It can be seen from their unfaithful performance that their inner confidence is more than that of the previous game!

It is worth mentioning that the entire Indiana media and players have found confidence and hope through the first game, and the outside world has also begun to think that the Rockets are not so easy to defeat the Pacers...Houston media therefore I sweated for the Rockets, and helped the Rockets analyze the strengths and weaknesses of the current "remnant" Pacers, and how the Rockets should play against this team.

Looking at the reaction of the media on both sides, people who didn’t know thought it was the Pacers who won the first game, and the Rockets lost the first game...

Including the fact that before the start of the game, the Rockets were facing enemies, and the Pacers were very excited and motivated. It also made people feel that the Pacers should be the stronger ball. team!

Speaking of, before the game, Reggie Miller’s fighting spirit was stronger than in the past. Of course, he had another reason—before the last game, a reporter suddenly asked him "You and Is Yao's relationship very good? Why tell him a joke on the court?" He made him look dumbfounded, and then he realized that when he asked, the reporter noticed that Yao Ming smiled at him when he was talking to him during the game. Several times, after the game, he asked Yao Ming, "Did Reggie Miller suddenly tell you something? Why did you suddenly smile?" Yao Ming then replied: "Yes, Reggie was on the court to give I told a few jokes, I couldn't hold back, so I laughed!"

? ? ?

This was just Reggie Miller's first reaction after listening to this reporter.

He wanted to ask Yao Ming: Are you polite?

I'm talking **** at you!

Do you think I'm joking with you?

No wonder I felt insulted at the time!

Okay, let's be cruel, wait, see if I don't clean up your meal...

Reggie Miller made a decision to give Yao Ming some color in this game!

It's just that the excited Pacers finally lost the game by 15 points... The Rockets easily won the second game of the Finals 90 to 75. Don't look at this game. Only won 15 points, but from the beginning of the second half, the Pacers never returned the point difference to less than 8 points. In the fourth quarter, they were behind by more than 10 points from the beginning. The Rockets used one. A very repressive game rewritten the big score into 2-0!

The Pacers left the Toyota Center in despair one by one.

After the game, Artest scored 19 points, O'Neal scored 21 points, Reggie Miller also scored 15 points, including 4 three-pointers. It can be said that several cores have played their own. Regular performance. In addition, Francis still only scored 18 points in this game, and his shooting percentage was less than 40% this time...It can be said that the Pacers played the same offensive and defensive performance as the previous game, but this time, There was no anxious atmosphere throughout the game, that is, the Rockets were playing under the Pacers until the end of the game! Looking back on the whole game, it can be said that after the first half of the game, the suspense has been lost!

After the last game, Indiana's "spiritual spirit" was actually still on this team. In the second game, the Pacers were not less likely to scramble for the ball and engage in physical confrontations than in the previous game.

But just can't beat...

Rick Carlisle felt the suffocation that appeared in the fourth quarter of the first game directly after the end of the first half this time.

As soon as this feeling came out, he knew that the Pacers had to lose again in this game!

After this game, Rick Carlisle was even more certain that the current Pacers are not as strong as the Rockets...Fortunately, the two finals have been played, and Rashid Wallace returned from the ban. The "full body" Pacers team is coming! Although in Rick Carlisle’s view, the return of Rashid Wallace will not allow the Pacers’ hard power to directly overwhelm the Rockets, but one thing is certain, the Rockets want to use the first two games to kill the walk. The team, it must be impossible!

After blowing it for a long time, that's it!

Caused me to worry for a long time!

As a result, it is vulnerable!

After the game was over, the Houston media were choked again.

To be honest, after the first game of the finals, they were scared. Fortunately, after watching the second game, watching the first game again, the so-called "first three quarters anxious" is more like The Rockets did not "prescribe the right medicine". Once they worked out more targeted tactics on both offense and defense, it would be too easy for them to win against the Pacers!

Look at the second game, it really was the whole game pressing down on the opponent!

Amidst the bragging of the Houston media, the Rockets also embarked on the plane to Indiana. After the two home games were over, it was the Rockets' turn to experience the away game!

In Yao Ming's view, the Rockets are about to start a real difficulty!

Because the Rockets have to play three consecutive away games in Indiana.

Yes, unlike the 22111 playoff format, the 7 games in the Finals are 232 format. Take the Rockets as an example. They play two games at their home courts, then play three consecutive games at home in Indiana, and then Go back to my home court and play two consecutive games...

This is actually a very cerebral palsy game system, and even to a certain extent, the home court advantage that he allowed the team with the best regular season record to win is completely meaningless, because in the first five games, the only team with the best regular season record is Two home games, on the contrary, the regular season record is relatively not so good. The opponent has three away games in the first five games. The home field advantage is not reflected at all, but it will make the opponent more advantageous, because if they can win the first two games A game, then back to their three-game home court, they are likely to take away the Finals in a wave. It's not that such a thing has never happened in the history of the NBA.

If I really want to say, the Heat were considered the winners of the Cerebral Palsy Finals in the 2006 Finals. They returned to their home court 0-2, won two games in a row, and played at their home court. The "Battle of Tianwangshan" really took advantage...

Now the Rockets are in the same situation. Although they are leading 2-0, the next 3 consecutive away games really make them unhappy. The ghost knows what it will be like after the three away games!

And they can’t have the intention of going back to the home court to officially eliminate their opponents, because when they return to their home court, there are only two games left. In that case, there are too many unstable factors. If they don’t want the total The final becomes difficult, and the opponent must be resolved as soon as possible...

Speaking of which, the Indiana media watched the Pacers lose the second game and did not make too many pessimistic remarks, which has a lot to do with the competition system.

Next will be the three home games of the Pacers. Make a good adjustment, and you may not be able to return to the Toyota Center again!

It is even possible to win a cup at the Toyota Center!

Of course, the Indiana media did not have the real reason for being too pessimistic. Naturally, it was related to the end of Rasheed Wallace’s two-game suspension-"Roaring Heaven" is back, the Pacers are "complete", and this is the official finals. Start!

Almost all the Indiana media have emphasized how different the Pacers with Rasheed Wallace is from the Pacers without him and the importance of "Roaring Heaven" to this team!

In all, this feeling is quite new to Rashid. After all, in Portland, he is a "dog hate cat hate" existence. The media talked about him always disgusting, and I wish he had never seen him in this city.

But since coming to Indiana, the media here speaks nicely, and the fans here like him all the time. He really feels at home.

And after he did something wrong in the Eastern Conference Finals, not only did no one blame him, but also regarded him as the hope of a comeback for the Pacers. What he enjoys here is the same treatment as a "city hero"! This really makes him full of love here!

I am more determined and must do my best to help the team win the third game of the finals... The Pacers are already behind 0-2, and they really can't lose anymore!

"Man, you are finally back!"

"To be honest, now the team can't do without you!"

"Okay, man, you finally have enough rest!"

For the return of Rashid Wallace, the rest of the Pacers also warmly welcomed them. After these two games with the Rockets, they have fully realized the importance of Rashid Wallace to this team. NS!

Especially O'Neal, expressing his "desire" to Rasheed Wallace every day: You come back soon, I can't bear it alone, come back soon...

They all sang the feeling to Rasheed Wallace.

The Indiana media looked at the imposing appearances of the Pacers, and they were even more full of expectations for the upcoming third game of the finals!

They believe that the Pacers will sound their counter-attack horn!

The Pacers fans proved that "we are more enthusiastic, we will not lose to Houston". On the day of the game, when all the Rockets entered the scene through the visiting team player channel, a boo sounded for an instant, making "American Jay Chou" "Subconsciously stretched out his hand to cover his ears, but Robert Horry, who was standing next to him, stopped him in time.

"Face these boos, rookie, otherwise you will only be swallowed by these boos!"

I don't know if Horry's suggestion is useful, but Korver did listen to it anyway, always controlling himself, not letting himself plug his ears with his hands.

What he didn't know was that there were a lot of fans staring at him at the scene, thinking of scaring this first-year rookie with boos, but seeing that he didn't have any special reaction to the boos, he didn't take special care of him. Just a "rookie", it can be regarded as let him escape a catastrophe...

After Horry comforted Korver, Yao Ming came over and patted him on the shoulder as he looked around: "Man, don't pay too much attention to the sidelines. Focus on the game. From the championship, there is nothing left. The last two games are over and it's almost over!"

Korver did not play much in the regular season, averaging only about 10 minutes per game, and even less in the playoffs. However, the first two games of the finals were due to the "wheel battle" against Artest. , This guy’s playing time has returned to about 10 minutes. He also performed well in both games. He threw a three-pointer in the first game and two three-pointers in the second game. The ball, and also scored a free throw, which is regarded as showing his own characteristics on the offensive end.

As a rookie who didn't get too many appearances in the playoffs, it is not easy to have this performance. Anyway, all the Rockets, including the Rockets' media and fans, are very satisfied with him.

With the return of Rashid Wallace and three more away games, the Pacers are bound to be more difficult to deal with. Yao Ming naturally hopes that this guy will not be affected by the booing of the audience and continue to play the performance of the previous two games.

Korver smiled shyly at Yao Ming and nodded: "I will!" It looked like a fan seeing his idol.

This year with the Rockets, he has been completely conquered by Yao Ming's performance on and off the court. If you want to select a player with the most charismatic personality, Korver's choice will definitely be Yao Ming!

Listening to the idol’s words, Korver was still a little nervous in his heart, and he suddenly calmed down a lot. Of course, he could not calm down completely. After all, he was still a rookie. It was the first time he experienced such a big scene because of Yao Ming. A few words are completely calm, then Yao Ming’s words are no longer words, that is, "speak out the law"...

The match time came soon after warming up on both sides.

Rick Carlisle looked at the time almost, and specifically called the Pacers to his front. With the return of Rashid Wallace, it can be seen that he has also calmed down a lot.

Of course, it is not surprising that a tactical coach like him, as long as he has enough cards in his hand, he will not panic even if he is the dream team.

The current Rockets obviously do not have the strength of the dream team.

Then he won't panic even more...

He will explain everything he wants to say, and the game has officially started!

Yao Ming grabbed the first strike.

So far in the finals, O'Neal has not won the jump ball with him.

However, this is also normal. Now Yao Ming can be said to be a "jump ball expert", and his jump ball success rate this season can be ranked in the top 3 of all players in the league.

He is not gaining weight, and his coordination and flexibility are much better than before he started. In addition to this height, unless he encounters some super-physical "arms-span monster", otherwise he is really worthy.

Including O'Neal, it is also true!

Francis held the ball for more than half of the game. Artest pressed him towards him at the first time. Artest was very successful in defending Francis in the first two games. Now he has probably fully understood the characteristics of Francis, defensively. No longer afraid of Francis's breakthrough, as long as he sees Francis cross the center line, he immediately presses over.

However, Francis has nothing to do with Artest's simple and rude defensive method... he can only look at Yao Mingtou with "Chuchu pitiful" eyes.

help me!

help me!

Yao Ming ran beyond the three-point line and asked for the ball.

Francis was relieved and passed the ball.

Rashid Wallace moved towards Yao Mingding for the first time, making it impossible for him to get the ball easily.

Yao Ming was pushed by him, he didn't have a chance to shoot, and he didn't have the confidence to pass him by one step. This guy was too wide.

In the dilemma, Francis skillfully circled the back and let Yao Ming pass the ball.

Then Yao Ming didn't hesitate, turned to face the frame, and ran directly to the basket without the ball. Francis was also going straight inside at this time. Although Artest was stronger than him, he was pulled away. Body position, that can only follow his **** to eat his exhaust.

"Bah!"

Francis, who was about to hit the inside line, directly reached out to hand the ball. For ordinary players, a pass that is considered to be an empty catch height. It went straight to Yao Ming. Yao Ming jumped to catch the ball without stopping. Go to the basket and dunk the ball into the basket!

In the third game of the finals, the Rockets opened with a "s.m" connection.

The Pacers immediately launched a counterattack. Tinsley went to the frontcourt and chose to directly break through Francis. After being flanked by the Rockets’ flanks, he hit the ball into Wallace’s hands on the inside, and "Roaring Heaven" ran to the outside. After a step, when Reggie Miller passed by, quickly handed over the ball. Reggie Miller grabbed the ball and jumped directly outside the three-point line.

"Huh!"

Goal in!

The Pacers lead 3-2.

Rasheed Wallace announced his return with an assist in the first round.

It has to be said that the Pacers’ offense in the first round has proved the value of "Roaring Heaven", and his arrival made up for the loopholes in Brad Miller’s departure.

Let the Pacers' tactics have a richer derivation...

Sure enough, it's even more difficult to deal with!

Yao Ming said in his heart.

A player like Wallace is definitely a big improvement for Reggie Miller. For a pitcher like this, the best partner is the one who can pass the ball!

The Rockets launched a counterattack. Francis called Yao Ming's pick and roll as soon as he came up.

Only after Yao Ming received the ball, Rashid Wallace once again successfully stopped him. Although Yao Ming still used the same technique to give the ball to Francis this time, Artest bypassed directly from behind and succeeded. Intercepted Francis rushing to the basket.

No way, Francis can only habitually return the ball to Yao Ming.

"Snapped!"

But as soon as he passed the ball, Rasheed Wallace appeared between him and Yao Ming and intercepted the ball easily.

The mobility of this guy!

Yao Ming strode back with the rest of the Rockets and almost lost his shoes. He finally built a defensive formation before the ball-holding Tinsley passed the half-court.

Rasheed Wallace's steal failed to turn into a fast break.

But the Pacers then used a steady and steady pass to match, and O'Neal cut to the basket and dunked with one hand to complete the goal. The Rockets finally failed to defend this round!

The point difference came to 5-2, the Pacers had 5 points, the Rockets had 2 points...

At the beginning of the game, it is estimated that no one had expected, including the Pacers fans at the scene, also did not expect, one by one yelled excitedly.

"From the first two rounds of the game, the Rockets' style on both ends of the offense and defense is obviously suppressed!" Kenny Smith looked at the Rockets who missed another offensive on the field and suggested: "The Rockets have to do something. It has changed. Now this lineup has too few points. It is definitely not possible to rely on Steve to dribble the ball on the outside. In addition, the inside also needs to add another option that can attack, otherwise the smarter people are Knowing that Francis will definitely pass the ball back to you, Rashid Wallace obviously relied on this to complete the steal just now!"

In his analysis, the Pacers also successfully scored a goal again. In the third game of the finals, after Rasheed Wallace returned, they shot all the first three rounds!

The difference came to 7-2!

The noise on the scene was louder, and the guys on the Pacers were more excited, especially Artest, who waited directly in the backcourt. It seemed that they were going to start with Francis from the backcourt. Physical contact.

When Tom saw this, he could only call a timeout.

Originally, he planned to observe for a while, but the "complete" Pacers team is indeed stronger than he expected.

"beep!"

The referee saw Tom’s signal and directly blew the whistle. The scene completely fell out. The cheers could overturn the entire arena. When Artest left the field, he also looked for Rasheed Wallace. The taxi came with a passionate chest bump, and the whole scene became even more exciting with their celebration!

"Carl, you go!"

"Also, Raja, take a break first, Catino, you go!"

Tom's view is obviously the same as Kenny Smith's, increasing the selectivity of the inside line, while increasing the ball holding point on the outside line!

Thibodeau also emphasized some defensive issues.

Then the Rockets played again.

Tom watched the Rockets walk towards the court, his eyes a little more relaxed.

Yao Ming did not intend to take over the game during this timeout, which means that in the eyes of Yao Ming, the current situation is not too bad.

Therefore, he is no longer so impatient...Well, he trusts Yao Ming so much now!

The game restarted.

Artest still wanted to intercept Francis on the baseline, and Karl Malone saw it and gave the ball directly to Mobley.

Mobley dribbled the ball to the frontcourt, facing Reggie Miller, and easily scored in singles!

4-7!

Although Mobley has no physical advantage in the second position, he is more than enough to play the 39-year-old Reggie Miller.

Tom was relieved by his easy goal. He was not so impatient, and now he is not in a hurry.

"It's okay, it's okay, let's continue to score and keep the difference!"

Tinsley yelled. After halftime, he still played the same way as before. He suddenly held the ball and encountered a double-team. He passed the ball towards Rashid Wallace.

"Snapped!"

Only this time ~www.novelmt.com~ did the same, Yao Ming also successfully completed the interception.

Rashid Wallace can guess that Francis will pass the ball to Yao Ming, and he can also guess that Tinsley will pass the ball to Rashid Wallace.

"start running!"

Yao Ming shouted and threw the ball straight out.

In fact, Francis had already ran out without him shouting. As soon as he confirmed that Yao Ming had completed the steal, his body had already made a choice instead of his brain!

"Bah!"

Francis, who shot out like a cannonball, successfully caught up with Yao Ming's pass, a one-handed dunk, and the ball was smashed into the basket.

6-7!

After the timeout was over, the Rockets quickly returned a wave of 4-0...

Kenny Smith, who just sighed the Pacers, looked at the sudden rise of the Rockets, and couldn't help but said: "The Rockets have this adjustment ability! It's really good!"