Grab Curry at the start

Chapter 379 The Bull's Determination

Compared with the Pacers, the Bulls may have a more reasonable team configuration, but they also lack stars who can take over the game at critical moments. It can be said that the two teams are similar to a certain extent.

They all hurt the core players, and they all rely on defense to gain a foothold.

However, the characteristics of the two teams are still somewhat different. The Bulls' defense is better, but the inside line is not very strong in terms of single defense.

Milicic can suppress Noah with strength, and Boozer, no matter who the Timberwolves striker faces him, Boozer's lateral movement can't keep up.

So from the beginning, the Timberwolves consciously attacked the inside.

The effect is there, but the Bulls still pay more attention to limiting the Timberwolves' outside shots.

The Bulls may have studied the characteristics of the Timberwolves more than the Pacers.

After all, the Bulls were a team that hoped to compete with the Heat to break out of the Eastern Conference before, and the pattern is different.

Under their defensive strategy, the two sides played back and forth in the first quarter.

The Timberwolves can score on the inside, but to gain an advantage quickly, they still need to get an outside touch.

But it may be because of the back-to-back away games, the Timberwolves are still relatively slow this time.

"For the time being, there is no need to force it. We should strengthen our efforts where we have an advantage." Zhang Sixin made a decision.

The Timberwolves are a team with both internal and external skills, and their outside line can also help the inside attract firepower.

Then there is maintaining intensity, the Bulls have substitute players, Taj Gibson, Belinelli and Nate Robinson are all good, but they also have obvious advantages and disadvantages.

The Bulls rely on teamwork and hand-to-hand defense, and their style of play consumes a lot.

The Timberwolves can fight each other for consumption, because the Timberwolves' bench players are stronger and can play longer, and their main players will not have worries about their physical strength in back-to-back games.

Now the Bulls can keep up with the pace of the Timberwolves, but as the high-intensity game continues, it is difficult for them to maintain it all the time.

The Timberwolves' outstanding performance in the playoffs and winning two championships must be a star player, but they have good results in the regular season, and they often bully others by relying on their numbers.

Fighting for stars, no team in the regular season can push them to that level.

During the rotation period, the Timberwolves gradually gained the advantage.

Although the Bulls' substitute Nate Robinson played well, the defensive end was a loophole, allowing the Timberwolves' bench to play even better.

In the second quarter, Noah used all means to score some points in the interior by using movement, but it was still a drop in the bucket.

The normal scoring points of the Bulls are restricted, and it is impossible to rely on others to score with a hammer and a stick.

At the end of the second quarter, both sides missed shots, and the Timberwolves entered the intermission with a slight lead.

The feeling of the game was a bit similar to the previous game, and the Pacers also couldn't stand it at the beginning of the second quarter.

Although the characteristics of the two sides are still somewhat different, the strategies of the Timberwolves can be the same.

During the intermission, Zhang Sixin also chatted with the players to let them relax.

In fact, this game is more about testing their physical strength.

It can be said that Zhang Sixin is not worried about the duel at both ends of the offense and defense.

But entering the second half, the Timberwolves still felt something different.

The Bulls changed their starters in the second half, letting Nate Robinson join the main lineup to strengthen the offense.

This trick really worked, not because Nate played so well, but because the Bulls have always stood up.

When the guards feel good, their striker Luol Deng played very well on both ends of the offense and defense.

Luol Deng is also an all-around striker. He has played well since he entered the league, but he has not grown to be good enough. He belongs to the quasi-All-Star level that can be selected as an All-Star in the East.

When this kind of player breaks out, he also performs at the All-Star level.

Curry and Leonard performed well in this quarter of the Timberwolves, but others were average.

Facing a well-defended opponent, it is normal for players to find it difficult to continue to perform.

That is to say, a strong team like the Timberwolves feels bad in one point, and can score in other points. If it is an ordinary team, it may be KO by the Bulls.

But the Bulls' adjustment was really good. They caught up with the score, which also made the final quarter more critical.

In addition to the loss in the new season of the Timberwolves, this game against the Bulls is considered to be the most intense.

"Seizing the opportunity to shoot boldly is to believe in yourself." Zhang Sixin encouraged the team.

Curry's improved performance in the third quarter was actually related to the Bulls' adjustments. They allowed Nate to spend more time on the court, but this buddy was not tall enough, and Curry often just pulled it out.

At the end of the quarter, the Timberwolves did not rush to the main force, but let the rotation lineup rely on defense and turnover of the opponent.

At this point in time for the Bulls, the winning lineup is no longer the starting lineup.

In addition to Nate, Belinelli also stayed on the court. Richardson can still shoot and score now, but he really can't keep up with the rhythm when he is older. Boozer, who has a big problem with lateral movement, was also pressed on the bench and replaced by Gibson.

In order to win the game at home, Bulls coach Thibodeau is also very determined, and everyone who can't keep up will stay off the court.

However, they chose this way, and the only player with certain singles ability on the field is Luol Deng.

Boozer's defense is a bit weak, but the offense is okay.

Now the Bulls can only rely on the pick-and-roll for the two insiders, and the Timberwolves' defense will not let them mess around.

As for the back line, Zhang Sixin feels that the Bulls still belong to no one.

Their head coach Thibodeau didn't choose Hinrich but bet on Nate Robinson. In fact, it was a little surprising. They really didn't feel the horror of Curry.

But thinking about Hinrich, it is difficult to limit Curry, and the Bulls' choice now feels normal.

After Curry came on the court, he said that the Timberwolves were about to win.

And he hit the shot when he came up, which also made the Bulls very nervous.

Bulls coach Thibodeau still didn't let Curry relax. He immediately chose to attack, and then two flexible insiders quickly assisted in the defense, preventing the Timberwolves' other high-position pick-and-roll from attacking the basket.

Now the Bulls are a relatively fast-moving lineup, including their inside line, with almost no shortcomings. It stands to reason that their defensive plan may be successful, and Thibodeau has also studied this aspect deeply.

At the beginning, Curry and DeRozan's pick-and-roll was really defended.

However, the Timberwolves quickly thought of a way to crack it, that is, Curry and Paul George came to pick and roll.

The Bulls use the same defensive rotation, but they can still guarantee that the Timberwolves will not be open.

It's just that what they didn't take into account is that players have different levels of ability, and some players can use their personal abilities to forcefully crack defenses that seem to have no loopholes.

(End of this chapter)