Chapter 222 Doing the opposite

Author: Feng Yuanhua

Chapter 222 Doing the opposite

After the timeout, the Lakers attack.

O'Neal mentioned the high position to pick and roll for Kobe. Wang Hao finally got around O'Neal and finally caught up with Kobe.

Kobe, however, had already passed the ball easily and freely, and it was naturally O'Neal who passed the ball.

O'Neal took one step in from the free throw line to receive the ball and took three steps directly.

PJ Brown saw through O'Neal's plan, but he had no choice but to watch O'Neal fly overhead.

"basket!"

The basketball was slammed into the basket, and before it hit the ground, O'Neal pulled the basket hard.

Looking at the trembling rim, O'Neal is really nothing. Does he want to smash the backboard again?

Fortunately, today's NBA has regulations that prohibit this.

This dunk was O'Neal's way of venting his dissatisfaction. He really felt a little frustrated today.

18:12

The SuperSonics also expected such a result. Since they couldn't defend, they would fight against each other.

Moreover, through the confrontation just now, they finally understood that O'Neal was not really impossible to guard against.

As long as someone can withstand his first wave of impact, and if someone double-teams him, there is still a chance to defend him.

It is unrealistic to be able to prevent it every time, but if it is effective, it is useful.

When the game reaches a critical moment, as long as you can defend it once, it is of great significance.

After O'Neal dunked the blue, he vented his anger, stared at everyone with a vicious look, and then prepared to return to defense.

It's just that the Sonics won't wait for him.

The moment O'Neal dunked the ball into the basket, P.J. Brown grabbed the basketball like a rebound and immediately served from the backcourt.

The basketball fell into the hands of Gary Payton. Kobe reacted quickly enough and subconsciously wanted to press forward.

However, Gary Payton reacted faster and chose to pass the ball.

The basketball was passed to Wang Hao. Wang Hao immediately crossed the half court with the ball and immediately chose to break through.

Reagan Fox kept staring at Wang Hao and immediately wanted to follow him, but bumped into a figure.

Michael Reed had already positioned himself in advance and completed a pick-and-roll for Wang Hao.

Wang Hao was very fast, and before Reagan Fox could react, he was already preparing to break into the inside line.

Robert Holly had no choice but to follow him first.

At the same time, Michael Reid had already followed the pick-and-roll, first making a fake move to run outside, and then cutting.

Wang Hao observed Robert Holly's position and looked like he was about to attack, and then he chose to pass the ball.

Although Michael Reed is a pitcher, he will naturally not be polite when faced with such an unmarked situation.

"basket!"

Another dunk, seemingly in response to O'Neal's goal.

At this time, O'Neal returned to the three-point line. Seeing his temper being smashed into the basket, he suddenly became more and more unhappy.

So this time, in the Lakers' offensive round, he did not play a pick-and-roll, but chose to get the ball inside.

This time, PJ Brown was well prepared, but he didn't care so much and just chose to go around and defend.

Seeing O'Neal so determined to get the ball, Kobe had no choice but to pass the ball overhead.

PJ Brown wanted to intercept the ball, but suddenly felt a huge force coming from behind and involuntarily took a small step forward.

He quickly turned around and complained, and the referee accused O'Neal of a foul.

It's a pity that he forgot that this is O'Neal, who is now the number one player in the league, and this is the home court of the Lakers.

The referee didn't say anything about it.

After O'Neal received the ball, there was a big open space under the basket, so he naturally would not hold back.

"Clang!"

Looking at the constantly shaking basket, Wang Hao had some doubts about the Lakers. The Lakers gave up O'Neal in order to choose Kobe.

Is there a reason for this? This guy wastes a lot of money on basketball stands. The basketball stands at the Lakers' home court are definitely more worn out than those of other teams.

P.J. Brown took a step slower, which doesn't mean he couldn't guard O'Neal. In fact, even if he took a step faster, he still wouldn't be able to guard him.

What I'm talking about here is a fast-paced offense.

Lewis had already received the ball first and then quickly served from the backcourt. Before O'Neal could finish venting, he had already run forward.

This time, Kobe did not stop Gary Payton immediately, but directly allowed Gary Payton to advance beyond the three-point line.

Wang Hao quickly helped Gary Payton block Kobe Bryant, taking advantage of the Lakers' defensive system not being able to adjust well, and went straight into the paint.

Horace knew the Sonics' fast-paced offensive and defensive transitions, and was prepared this time to stop Gary Payton.

But Gary Payton was more experienced and saw Horace moving over, which directly caused Horace's foul.

O'Neill hurriedly hurriedly hurriedly, and finally ran back, and the fight was over.

Watching Gary Payton make two free throws, the point difference between the two sides is still 8 points, and it feels like it was wasted.

Of course, the Sonics can't switch offense and defense every time, and it's impossible for the Lakers to make adjustments.

When the Lakers obviously speed up the efficiency of returning to defense, it is not so easy to win the fast break.

If you can't hit the fast break, you will fall into a positional battle, and the Sonics are not without options.

Wang Hao and Gary Payton can both play in isolation. As for the pick-and-roll between the two, it makes Kobe's scalp numb.

Because he really doesn't know who to guard against?

The game reached a stalemate, with the Sonics maintaining the lead but failing to open up the score.

Whenever they try their best to open up the score, someone from O'Neal or Kobe will always step forward.

Of course, it is not easy for the Lakers to catch up because the SuperSonics have Wang Hao and Gary Payton.

At the most dangerous moment, the Lakers had already chased the score to just 2 points, and Wang Hao directly took the lead and hit a shower of three-pointers.

The score was at a stalemate, and until the two teams could solve their defensive or offensive problems, no one could win the game in one fell swoop.

In fact, this is normal.

After all, as one of the strongest teams in the Western Conference, the game between the two teams is definitely not easy to determine the winner.

Only by reaching the final moment and seeing who makes fewer mistakes will we have a better chance of winning the game.

At the end of the half, the score was temporarily 53:47, and the SuperSonics led by 6 points entering the second half.

During the halftime break, Paul Westphal made detailed arrangements in an attempt to open up the score in the third quarter.

"Patrick, we need your help, I need you to guard Shaq for at least five minutes.

In these five minutes, we need to use all our firepower to expand the point difference to more than 15 points."

…

I have to say that Paul Westphal's idea is very good, but the reality is not that simple.

Ewing can indeed limit O'Neal, but it is impossible to completely guard against him.

In 5 minutes of the third quarter, O'Neal only scored 4 points, but also caused two fouls by Ewing.

Not even halfway through the third quarter, he already had four fouls, and Ewing could only play again in the fourth quarter.

I originally thought that they could open up the score in one fell swoop, but no one expected it. At this time, Kobe stood up again.

Two consecutive unreasonable three-pointers directly undermined the Sonics' efforts.

Not only Paul Westphal, but Phil Jackson is also thinking of ways.

However, the effect is average.

————

In the fourth quarter, there were only 2 minutes and 28 seconds left in the game, and the score between the two sides was 85:80.

With a 5-point difference, the Lakers still have a chance.

It was the Lakers' turn to attack. They had just thrown a baseline kick, and the cheers on the scene were already boiling.

"Lakers, Lakers..."

After all, this is a team that just won the championship. Today's Lakers fans are still very happy.

The sound of cheering continued to echo above the arena. If it was said that it had no impact on the SuperSonics, it would definitely be false.
To be continued...