Starting from the last bus in the NBA

Chapter 139 Under Adversity
Having coached in the NBA for many years, Paul Westphal naturally understands the Heat's routines.

In fact, he had used such a tactic before.

In the case of Mourning, most teams are unwilling to fight the Heat at the last minute.

That being the case, it is natural to widen the point difference in regular time to ensure sufficient advantages.

More often than not, Paul Westphal still has the mindset of a 90s coach.

Pay attention to star singles, reuse insiders, and slow down the pace of the game.

However, under Wang Hao's extremely fierce three-point firepower, he will not reject three-pointers.

In the case that Wen Baker can hardly bear the heavy responsibility, he will not cling to the inside line.

When he needs to increase the pace of the game, he will not worry about the fast pace leading to mistakes.

Sure enough, after the start of the second quarter, Gary Payton decisively accelerated.

Even if you can't play a fast break, you must at least increase your speed so that the Heat's rhythm can be changed.

Otherwise, even if there is a fast break opportunity, they have to give up. Facing such a Heat team, it is really helpless.

Being named and reused by Paul Westphal, Wang Hao will naturally not be indifferent and start various moves.

However, he thought everything too simply.

He started and stopped in a hurry, and ran back in various ways. No matter what he did, he couldn't seem to get rid of Dan Marley.

The candy-style defense is really not something to talk about casually.

Wang Hao is also polite. Since one person can't handle it, he can ask his teammates for help. After all, the game is for five people.

Unexpectedly, he seems to have forgotten that Dan Marley also has teammates.

This side just used the cover to find a chance, and was just about to go out to catch the ball, but PJ Brown immediately came over to delay.

Another chance, he got rid of Dan Mullley and didn't let PJ Brown delay him.

Just when he was about to catch the ball, Mashburn was already standing in front of him, not giving him a chance to catch the ball at all.

Of course, Wang Hao wouldn't just stand there foolishly.

He immediately cut to the inside, easily got rid of Mashburn's defense, received the ball from Gary Payton at the free throw line, and made an easy mid-range hit.

In this way, Wang Hao saw the Heat's defense, but he also created a lot of scoring opportunities.

Want to say that Wang Hao is comfortable playing?

It must be uncomfortable. Throughout the first half of the game, he only made 2 three-pointers and missed one.

Of course, his performance was not bad, with 9 points, 4 rebounds and 3 assists, and the opponent didn't defend him at all.

But the problem is that the efficiency of 9 out of 4 shots is definitely not high compared to the past.

It can only be said that the Heat's defense against him is not considered a failure.

43:44
It's just that the adjustment of the Sonics was not considered a success. They failed to widen the point difference and even fell behind.

Paul Westphal frowned, but there was nothing he could do about it, unable to tear apart the Heat's defense.

It can be said that throughout the first half, the points scored by the Sonics were the selective loss of points by the Heat.

Like Wang Hao's three-pointer, and Gary Payton's low singles, the Heat will resolutely stop it.

Forcing Wang Hao to shoot two-pointers, forcing Gary Payton to try more long two-pointers and even three-pointers.

In this way, the efficiency is not high, and naturally there is no way to widen the difference.

When the third quarter came, Gary Payton made another three-pointer and two-step long two-pointer, but missed.

Looking back, it was Tim Hardaway who missed a three-pointer, but Mourning grabbed a second rebound and scored.

Wang Hao ran out of neutral again, and missed a jumper near the free throw line when Mourning stepped forward to interfere.

Looking back, it was Mashburn who made a successful foul and made two free throws, continuing to widen the point difference.

43:48
Ruben Patterson scored an empty cut, but Dan Marrill responded with a three-pointer.

There is no way, just now Wang Hao assisted Mourning, let Mourning pass the ball, and gave Dan Malier a chance.

Wang Hao's long two-pointer and Gary Payton's three-pointer continued to disappear.

49:58
Paul Westphal immediately called a timeout. There was no way, the point difference was being opened up a little bit.

Seeing that it is about to exceed double digits, it will be too late if we don't call a timeout at this time.

As for whether there is a solution?
Paul Westphal said no. After all, it's not that the Sonics didn't do well, but that the Heat defended too well.

In fact, there is no way, if Wen Baker can play a strong performance in the interior, it will involve the Heat's interior defense.

Wang Hao and Gary Payton will definitely have more opportunities.

But the problem is, let Wen Baker face Mourning directly, thinking about it, there will not be many opportunities.

However, this timeout still has to be called, no matter how bad it is, it can't stop the opponent's fiery touch.

"Everyone, don't worry, there is still time, we have every chance to get back the score.

Now, we need to improve our defense first, and don't give the opponent a chance to score too easily.

Then, continue to play according to the tactics, don't hesitate when you have the opportunity, believe that we can make the ball. "

……

Listening to Paul Westphal's soft tone, everyone understood that the situation in front of them was not good.

Everyone knows that the head coach has a bad temper. If the players didn't play well and the score was lost, he would definitely fly into a rage.

Mistakes and tactical execution failures are intolerable to him.

It is for this reason that Paul Westphal gets angry whenever the Sonics lose to underdogs.

And when they lose to the Lakers or the Trail Blazers, Paul Westphal will take the initiative to take responsibility at the press conference and even release them.

Now, Paul Westphal speaks in this tone, it can only explain one problem, this game is dangerous.

If there is no way to solve the Heat's defense and ensure a higher scoring efficiency, the point difference will definitely get bigger and bigger.

In the past, Paul Westphal would definitely remind Wang Hao and Gary Payton.

Let the two of them, one shoot more three-pointers, and the other get into the low post to score more.

Paul Westphal did not remind, why?
Because he also knew that it wasn't that Wang Hao and Gary Payton didn't want to do this, but that the opponent didn't give them a chance.

Defense is like this. It is impossible to kill the opponent all at once, but to continuously reduce the opponent's scoring efficiency.

The only way to break the situation is to make changes.

Either, Wang Hao's mid-range shots are perfect, or Gary Payton throws a few three-pointers outside.

It's a pity that neither of them is in a state of explosion today.

That's right, an occasional outburst can win the game, but it can't win the game all the time.

Returning to the game again, Wang Hao frowned when he saw the candy-like Dan Marley.

This guy is also too clingy, he is clearly 35 years old, and he really feels like he can't run to death.

At the same time, he was also frowning and thinking hard, what should he do to reverse the situation in front of him.

For him, the most sure thing is the three-pointer, but at this time, the opponent will not give a three-pointer at all.

What should I do then?breakthrough?

(End of this chapter)