Author: Feng Yuanhua

Wang Hao kept his word and faced the Knicks alone.

Even though the entire team was not focused on the game and was in extremely poor condition, the SuperSonics did not sink completely.

24:27

At the end of the first quarter, the SuperSonics were only 3 points behind.

Even before the end of the first quarter, Alan Houston got a defense and made 2 of 2 free throws.

The Sonics only trailed by 1 point in the first quarter. For the entire game, it almost ended in a draw.

As for now, the 3-point difference is just a matter of three-pointers.

There is a reason why the Sonics, who were in no shape at all, were able to maintain a stalemate in the score.

First of all, as one of the top teams in the NBA, it still has the qualities it needs.

Although the SuperSonics are not in good shape, this kind of thing refers more to offense.

Especially when it comes to shooting touch, one person is contagious to another, and there will really be a situation where no one can make a shot.

Offense is affected by status, but defense is not!

When it comes to defending something like this, you can only do it best if you have a clear mind and are willing to work hard.

Although everyone in the Sonics is focused on going home to celebrate the New Year, there is still no lack of professionalism.

Now that you are on the court, you naturally have to give your best.

Going all out may not be able to solve the poor state of the offense, but it can definitely provide the best defense.

What's more, the head coach is still sitting down there. If you don't do your best now, you will be sprayed in pain later.

Secondly, the Knicks really gave me a chance.

On offense, relying on the scoring ability of Alan Houston and Madman, as well as the organization of offense by Marco Jackson, they played pretty well.

27 points in a single quarter, the performance is not bad.

However, on the defensive end, the Knicks' performance was average, even average.

The Sonics were in such a poor state, but they were able to score 24 points, which speaks volumes.

Obviously, Don Cheney was indeed a defensive expert as a player.

But after becoming the head coach, he seemed unable to pass on his defensive skills to his disciples.

Then the most important thing is, of course it is Wang Hao!

14 points in a single quarter, 5 of 9 shots, and 2 of 4 three-pointers. The super high scoring efficiency speaks for itself.

Moreover, this is the data when the Knicks were chasing and intercepting.

No matter how slow Don Cheney's reaction was, no matter how unwilling the Knicks players were to defend, they still knew to double-team in the face of Wang Hao's outstanding performance.

In fact, throughout the first quarter, the Knicks were targeting Wang Hao with various double teams.

It's not that Wang Hao has never tried passing the ball, but in the end, he still chose to do it himself.

At the beginning of the second quarter, Wang Hao, who had already played one quarter, was placed on the bench.

"King, take a rest as soon as possible. We need you in this game."

Paul Westphal suddenly spoke and said this, but Wang Hao already understood.

The head coach obviously also discovered the problem of the team's poor condition, but there was nothing he could do about it.

When is your worst time as a coach?

That is, the team has obviously made a good performance, but when it comes to the final shot, it just fails to make the ball.

This is very helpless. After all, it is impossible for the head coach to replace the players?

As the head coach, Paul Westphal has more pressure on him because he has to think more.

Are fans satisfied?

Are the media satisfied?

Is the team management satisfied?

Players can be willful and not take responsibility for these things, but as a head coach, this is not possible!

Therefore, in today's Christmas game, Paul Westphal does not want to lose, and cannot lose.

Such a high-profile game, although it is only a regular season game, who knows how it will be interpreted after the game?

Iverson just lost one regular season game. Last year's feat of leading the team to the finals alone became luck!

You know, the SuperSonics didn't even make it to the Finals!

Previously, the media praised the Sonics for their excellent record, but if they lost, they would be criticized to the same extent.

To avoid this, the Sonics must win!

In this situation, Paul Westphal can't do much, he can only rely on Wang Hao.

Who doesn’t know how to use a big move like Death Core?

Paul Westphal's words just now have already revealed one thing, that is, Wang Hao, hurry up and take a breather, you may not have time to rest next!

Such a compliment!

"boom!"

However, at this moment, the scene suddenly burst into excitement. Knicks fans were actually cheering for the team?

This is really unimaginable!

I looked up and saw 24:29.

The second quarter of the game has just begun, and the score has been further extended?

At the same time, the replay was already happening on the big screen. In fact, the Sonics did not do a bad job.

With a professional attitude, they did a pretty good job on defense, and it was even considered a successful defense.

Knicks backup center O'Sarah Harrington caught the ball outside the three-point line in the last 3 seconds.

You know, as a traditional center, his shooting range is extremely limited, and he basically doesn't shoot three-pointers.

However, he was forced to take action and actually got in!

What is this? The house leaks but it rains all night, the boat breaks and the wind blows!

Wang Hao suddenly wanted to curse.

Paul Westphal was already cursing, and he was throwing punches at rookie Brandon Haywood.

Well, this is really no wonder Heywood.

As a traditional center, Haywood's defensive area is limited. Unless he has to use a pick-and-roll, he cannot defend beyond the three-point line.

What's more, facing a big man who has no three-pointers at all, his choice to protect the basketball was not wrong.

The only thing wrong was that Harrington made the ball.

Of course, this isn't even worse. What's even worse is that the SuperSonics' shooting touch is indeed contagious.

Earl Watson's breakaway floater missed, and neither did Quentin Richardson's outside three-pointer.

Continuous missed shots made the SuperSonics' atmosphere a bit bad.

Thanks to the Knicks' bench strength, otherwise, the point difference would have continued to widen.

However, it was Harrington again. He was obviously just a substitute, but today he played better than the main player.

With the second rebound, he added two more points for the Knicks.

Fortunately, at this time, veteran Brent Barry stepped up and scored the ball to assist Haywood to score two points.

However, looking back, Marco Jackson also made a hit from mid-range.

"King, get ready!"

But over there, Alan Houston and Madman are already preparing to play, and Don Cheney may have also seen the situation on the court.

He intends to build enough advantage in the first half.

Paul Westphal didn't dare to let Wang Hao rest anymore, so he simply put him on the court.

29:38

Less than 4 minutes into the second quarter, the score difference was already close to 10 points.

The Knicks took the initiative to suspend substitutions.

Not only that, Don Cheney also specially arranged tactics, as if he was bound to score the ball.

Returning to the game, both sides are now using their main players.

However, on the SuperSonics side, Rashard Lewis replaced Ewing, while on the Knicks side, backup center Harrington was on the field.
To be continued...