Starting from the last bus in the NBA

Chapter 177 The Final Battle 1
May 5, Seattle, Key Arena.

"Supersonic, supersonic..."

"Gary, Gary..."

"King, king..."

Amidst the cheers one after another, the fifth game of the first round of the playoffs between the two teams officially started.

This is the last battle, the loser goes home to fish, and the winner continues on to the playoffs.

"Okay, let's set foot on the field and win the game!"

Before the last game, Paul Westphal did not make much preparation, just let everyone relax.

It's not just that there was not much preparation tactically, which is understandable. After all, after playing so many games, everyone knows how to play.

While knowing how to play yourself, you also know how to play your opponent. The outcome depends on who plays better.

When mobilizing before the game, Paul Westphal didn't say too many morale-boosting words.

At this point in the game, it is no longer needed.

It is especially important in this game to ensure a normal heart and not to bear too much pressure.

From this perspective, the Supersonics are at a disadvantage.

First of all, he had just suffered a two-game losing streak, and was even tied by his opponent after controlling three match points.

There is another more important reason, and that is the Supersonic lineup, which is a bit young.

In terms of age alone, the Sonics are not young.

Gary Payton and Horace in the starting lineup are both very experienced players.

The worst is to have played in the finals, and Horace has won the championship, and more than once.

Wen Baker, and the substitute Brent Barry are also considered old players, and they are not lacking in experience.

But apart from these few, others, from Wang Hao to Ruben Patterson, from Lewis to Salmond Williams.

These few are all rookies in the first and second grades. It is their first time playing in the playoffs, and it is also the first time they are playing such a decisive battle.

Both Shamond and Lewis are important players on the bench for the Sonics today, and Ruben Patterson is even more of a starter.

The most important thing is Wang Hao, Wang Hao can be the second core of the Sonics, one of the absolute cores.

Wang Hao's mentality is very mature, unlike ordinary rookies who are too prone to psychological fluctuations.

But Paul Westphal didn't dare to gamble, especially in such a critical game, the key is to relieve psychological pressure.

The cheering before the game is actually a kind of pressure.

Facing the final game, Paul Westphal had to be cautious and cautious.

It's just that the head coach's emotions can actually be passed on to the players.

No, the atmosphere in the Sonics team before the game was a bit serious.

It was obviously a 2-0 lead, but it was tied, and this is a home game, no one wants to lose.

"Di!"

With the whistle of the referee, the game officially began.

It was still David Robinson who grabbed the jump ball. In the entire series, the Sonics did not win once.

The fans seemed to have expected it a long time ago. As the Spurs advanced with the ball, the fans immediately greeted them.

"Shh!"

One after another high scores and boos resounded through the sky. I have to say that this momentum made the Spurs very uncomfortable.

No, Johnson must have been frightened. When he tried to break through, he stumbled on his feet and made a mistake.

Gary Payton has quick hands and eyes, and he fell directly to the floor, grabbed the ball, and then passed it out.

Horace responded and immediately threw the ball out, because Wang Hao had already rushed out immediately, and Wang Hao played a fast break immediately after receiving the ball.

Only Mario followed, but he was a step slower than Wang Hao and didn't dare to foul at all.

A foul at this time is a physical foul, two free throws and one throw.

Mario could only follow fast, wondering if there was a chance for a chasing block.

At this time, Wang Hao's experience was revealed.

Indeed, as a rookie, he has not experienced many NBA games, and he has played less than 100 games in one season so far.

But he watched so many games!
Especially in this case, chasing and blocking shots is a frequent visitor among the top five and top ten balls in the NBA.

Wang Hao naturally had to be more careful with such a memorable scene.

Seeing that he has rushed to the bottom of the basket, he has already made the movement of getting up and dunking.

Mario also reacted quickly, jumping quickly, this big slap was always ready to slap the basketball.

Who would have imagined that Wang Hao, who looked like he was about to jump and shoot, immediately slowed down.

Under such an abrupt situation, Mario had no time to react.

What's worse, at this moment, his feet had already left the ground, and he flew forward uncontrollably.

"boom!"

Without any accident, Mario directly bumped into Wang Hao, and Wang Hao was even more prepared for this.

Because he had been prepared for a long time, Wang Hao maintained his center of gravity well, so he shot without haste.

At this moment, Mario Eli is not acting like a 37-year-old veteran, but a rookie.

In fact, it's not that he didn't think about making up for his mistakes, such as direct fouls and not giving a chance to hit a three-pointer.

It's a pity that when you get older, the brain can think of it, but it doesn't mean the body can do it too.

Throughout the series, Mario was beaten by Wang Hao time and time again, it wasn't that he didn't think of adjusting.

In fact, he knew that Wang Hao was going to break through, and he had already seen where he was going to break through, but the problem was, he couldn't keep up!

It is said that the Jazz is an old team, but the Spurs are not too far behind.

In addition to Duncan, the other four are also in their 30s, and there are three old guys over 35 years old.

Without any surprises, Wang Hao hit the board steadily, and at the same time, the referee's whistle sounded, 2+1.

"Yes, well done, King!"

On the sidelines, head coach Paul Westphal jumped up happily, admiring Wang Hao.

What he is most worried about is that Wang Hao's performance is abnormal due to too much pressure.

Now it seems that his worries are unnecessary.

Wang Hao hit a free throw steadily, adding another point for the Sonics, leading the Spurs 1:3.

However, the Spurs are not in a hurry, they don't know what to do, it's very simple, give the ball to Duncan.

I have to say that this trick is very simple, but very effective.

Duncan held the ball in the middle distance, first tried to break through facing the basket, and then turned to post-up singles.

But at this time, the Supersonics will naturally not indulge, and Wang Hao tried to double-team the first time.

However, instead of double-teaming, he chose a suitable position and kept testing.

It was such a fleeting opportunity, but Duncan firmly grasped it and passed the ball at the moment Wang Hao decided to double-team.

And Wang Hao, who defended against Duncan's move early in the morning, immediately returned to defense the moment he passed the ball.

Seeing Wang Hao jumping over suddenly, even Mario Elli had to sigh: It's nice to be young!

Although he has old arms and legs, he has experience!

Seeing Wang Hao rushing over suddenly, Mario first made a fake shot, and after flying Wang Hao, he broke through to a mid-range jumper and hit a jumper.

(End of this chapter)