Grab Curry at the start

Chapter 267 No hope in sight

After the Timberwolves won the match point, the Lakers didn't think they would lose the playoffs.

Their head coach Phil Jackson said: "Every game, we have controlled the rhythm of the game for a long time, but we can't end the game with a victory. But we still believe that we can win the next game and go down."

He also talked about the team's defense. The last quarter was not good for the Timberwolves' outside three-point defense, which caused them to collapse. Phil Jackson said, "Our defense against Curry did not work. Many times the timing of flanking and not flanking is not right."

Kobe was unhappy after the game as usual and sprayed the team's stupid defense, but he certainly didn't think the series was over. He said: "Maybe I'm crazy and my ideas are crazy, but I firmly believe that we can win this series. Maybe I'm just crazy."

Zhang Sixin said happily: "We played very well, we opened up the situation in the away game."

"We fought hard all the time, even when we were down, we stayed there. Steph was a leader, he did a lot of things to make it happen. He scored, controlled the game, passed the ball, assisted, hit all kinds of 3s, he really can do it all."

"Kevin also did a good job, scoring, supporting, and controlling the rebound. He still limited Odom and prevented the Lakers from playing a consistent performance. His role on both ends of the offense and defense is very important. This is very important to us."

"There are other players, they are all good, they work hard, they make my job easy."

"But we still need to keep a low profile, we need to stay hungry. The next game will be like this one, it will be a hand-to-hand fight. They will fight with their backs and we need to be ready."

In the fifth game, the Timberwolves returned to Minnesota to fight.

Zhang Sixin doesn't want to have long nights and dreams, so it is ideal to solve the problem directly at home.

The Lakers are already standing on the edge of a cliff, Kobe will definitely want to stand up, the Timberwolves will not give him a chance.

Before warming up, Zhang Sixin said to the players: "To win the series is today."

Both sides are familiar starters, the difference may be fighting spirit.

Bryant is still thinking about winning the series, but the rest of the Lakers don't have such a strong heart.

Amidst the cheers of the Timberwolves fans, Game [-] of the Western Conference semifinals began.

"Kobe played very resolutely when he came up. He caused DeRozan's foul...Unfortunately, he only made one of two free throws. The game has just begun, and Kobe also needs to adjust his touch."

"Matthews hit a three-pointer from the bottom line. The Lakers should pay attention to defense. They lost the game because the Timberwolves made too many three-pointers in the last quarter."

"The defenses of both sides are very targeted. It is not easy to score. The Lakers' defense of the three-point line has also become tighter... The Timberwolves passed the ball to the inside. Oh, Bynum fouled and sent Milicic to the free throw line. Back home, the Timberwolves' players have obviously become tougher."

"Kobe scored another difficult score, which shows Kobe's determination to win the game."

"Curry finally made a three-pointer. Although the Lakers' defense has been very careful, it still gave Curry a chance."

"DeRozan also hit a three-pointer. It seems that the Timberwolves feel good today."

"Green, who was just replaced, also hit a three-pointer, and the Timberwolves began to exert their strength during the rotation period."

"Kobe just went down to catch his breath, and the lead of the Timberwolves expanded again. The performance of the Lakers in the away game was a bit poor, and Kobe couldn't support it alone."

"It's another three-pointer. The Timberwolves rained three-pointers. Jeremy Lin and George also hit three-pointers. All the Timberwolves' backcourt players who have played have scored three-pointers. Love cannot be left behind. Although Love is an inside player, he has already hit two three-pointers."

"Kobe kept taking shots, but he didn't feel good... made a mistake, Kobe made another mistake, Curry's flank timing was very good, and he successfully stole Kobe."

"The Timberwolves have led to double digits, and the Lakers requested a timeout."

Zhang Sixin's ears were filled with the excited voices of Timberwolves fans. He did not expect that they played very smoothly.

In fact, the start was the same as usual. Kobe wanted to win the game, and his efficiency was not bad.

But from the beginning of the rotation, the Timberwolves' offense was a bit unstoppable.

The Timberwolves' three-pointer was completely missed, but the Lakers didn't make any adjustments immediately.

But the Lakers' own three-pointers couldn't hit it anyway.

Zhang Sixin watched Kobe's continuous strong shots, and felt very sad in his heart. Kobe was really starting to grow old.

The luck of the Lakers is not very good. When the team needs a three-pointer, Kobe can make a decisive shot, but he has not scored a three-pointer in two games.

The Timberwolves' research on three-pointers played a huge role in the playoffs.

Whether it is the offensive three-point tactics, or the defensive end to limit the opponent's three-pointers, they are outstanding.

After the Lakers suspended, they did not stop the decline.

They only had a little problem with defense before, and they couldn't even handle the offense after the timeout.

The Lakers kept adjusting the lineup, hoping to change the situation, but it made the team even more chaotic.

On the Timberwolves side, Curry and Green broke out with three-pointers.

The score gap is getting bigger and bigger, and the Lakers feel like they are going to collapse at any time.

Fortunately, there was an intermission to give them time to adjust.

However, the game is played like this, and the Timberwolves are a good defensive team. It is not easy for the Lakers to chase points in the second half, and if they fail to succeed, the playoffs will end, so the players are also depressed after returning to the locker room.

At the critical moment, Lakers head coach Phil Jackson wanted to encourage the players, but his emotions were also fluctuating. He couldn't help but blame the team's poor performance in the first half, which made the locker room air pressure even lower.

On the Timberwolves side, it was another surprise.

The players were all happy, and Zhang Sixin didn't stop the group from laughing.

He just told the players that the series still needs to maintain half-court focus.

As long as they do their job well, no one can take their victory away.

In the third quarter, the Lakers looked like they were back to normal, and their defense was very hard.

However, the offensive end is still a bit troublesome, Kobe is gnashing his teeth, but his shooting percentage just can't improve.

The Timberwolves' offense is not as crazy as in the second quarter, but they are leading, and they don't care if the two sides fight to defend.

And if the Lakers can't chase points at this time, they really have to go home.

They may want to chase points, but when Kobe's offensive efficiency is not outstanding, the fighting spirit of the Lakers players is getting lower and lower, and they resigned to their fate.

The Timberwolves have no obvious weak links, and it is impossible for them to reverse the game.

Many Lakers players began to feel that staying on the court was a kind of torture. They hoped to return to Los Angeles as soon as possible and return to their own private space, even if they lost the game quickly.

Because the game is completely hopeless, they are really sad.

(End of this chapter)