basketball player

Chapter 718 716: The peak is still there

Nick Nurse thought that Henson didn't have the guts to let other people take on the heavy responsibility of killing the game, and Henson just caught this mentality of Nick Nurse.

Why can't Lopez kill the game?When he was in the Nets before, how many games did he kill?It's just that after arriving in the Pacers, the data declined due to changes in player roles and positioning. Should we underestimate this guy?
The game restarted, and both coaches felt that the victory was in their hands.Henson stood solemnly on the sidelines. At this time, I don't know how many people believe that the Raptors can stage a miracle moment.

But many people forget that Henson Joe has only lost less than 10 games since the regular season. There is no head coach in the league who knows how to win better than him.

On the first attack after the timeout, Antetokounmpo directly advanced with the ball himself.Antetokounmpo's performance today is actually very good, even the Raptors' zone defense failed to stop him from scoring.But this is always the last quarter, and it is impossible for Antetokounmpo to force a score by rampage every time.

After half-court possession, Antetokounmpo glanced at Lopez.Lopez nodded slightly, and then put on the pick-and-roll!
"A cover, Antetokounmpo wants to break through. It seems that in the timeout just now, Coach Henson asked Antetokounmpo and George to continue to attack decisively?"

Antetokounmpo came off the screen and strode decisively into the paint, while Ibaka and Gasol both retracted.Brook Lopez?Let him go!
Antetokounmpo passed the ball under the double-team of two long men, but the target of the pass was not Lopez, but George.

This was specially arranged by Henson. He deliberately let the players pass the ball one more time.The purpose is to cover up one's purpose, not to expose the tactics so thoroughly.

As soon as George received the ball, his former good brother Leonard immediately pressed close to him.George VS Leonard, many years ago, people would never have imagined that this would become the focus of the playoffs.

After all, at that time, George was just a rookie who was not too high in the draft, and Leonard was considered difficult to be developed.

But Henson let them all grow into league superstars, which is really rare.

George held up the basketball, pretending to be at a loss, and then handed the ball to Lopez.

Lopez is still one step away from the three-point line at this time. It seems that he is not an offensive point, but just a transition point.Therefore, Gasol Jr. did not rush out immediately, and Lopez was almost completely emptied.

But Lopez did not hesitate at all, but shot directly!With one step away from the three-point line, start shooting.

"Good job." Nick Nurse smiled. In his opinion, Lopez's shot was a waste of opportunity.It's impossible for this guy to make such a long-range three-pointer. Did he think he was Stephen Curry?
However, in the next second, Nas saw the basketball passing through the net without even touching the basket. It was a hollow ball!

"The assist from Paul George did a great job. Brook Lopez felt good today. This is already his 19th point in this game. How long has it been since we saw Lopez score 20 points? Today we can look forward to it."

At this point, the Raptors trailed the Pacers by 9 points.But neither Nurse nor the commentator thinks that the Pacers have gained a huge advantage.In the words of Kenny Smith: "George and Antetokounmpo still didn't get a chance to score just now. If they can't score, how can the Pacers win the game? Lopez? He is an excellent role player, but he is just a role player."

At this time, this "role player" secretly cheered himself up, no matter how much annual salary he gets in a year, he will do his best for his team!
In Henson's final season, Lopez didn't want to embarrass Henson because of himself.

For the Raptors to attack, Van Fleet was entangled by Brogdon this time. "Van Jordan" has scored a lot of points today, and Brogdon doesn't want to be a springboard for this guy to become famous.

On the other side, Oladipo is also eyeing Van Fleet.The reason is simple. Kyle Lowry did not perform well today, and Oladipo can rest assured to defend Fleet.

Van Vleet obviously felt the malice from Brogdon and Oladipo, so he passed the ball to Leonard, hoping that the No. 2 could solve the problem.

Using stars to solve the game is the right way for Nick Nurse.

Leonard is now very different from the Pacers period. At this time, like George, he has evolved into a versatile offensive player.From shooting to driving with the ball, Leonard is omnipotent.

This time, Leonard overwhelmed Antetokounmpo with a beautiful early change.His swinging rhythm and changing arc make him look like a defender.

Antetokounmpo's center of gravity has indeed changed because of Leonard, but due to his good physical fitness, he still sticks to it.It's a pity that even so, Antetokounmpo was surpassed by half a body.

"Leonard's breakthrough was very beautiful, and this time he scored!" On the commentary stand, Kenny Smith was ready to cheer for Leonard's goal.

But on the sidelines, Henson smiled slightly.People only saw Leonard's successful breakthrough, but he saw that Lopez had quietly defended the past.If Lopez's performance today can last until the end, then Henson's badge can be saved until the finals.

Leonard breaks through, lays up, and attacks the frame, all in one go.But unlike before, Brook Lopez's big hand suddenly appeared in front of Leonard.

"Ok?"

A look of surprise even flashed across Leonard's "facially paralyzed" face, and the next second, Lopez rushed over with overwhelming arrogance, and abruptly pushed down the basketball that Leonard had raised.

Antetokounmpo has quick eyes and quick hands, and his big hand grabbed the basketball that was shot by Lopez.After the continuation of the three-pointer just now, Lopez helped the Pacers stabilize the situation with another block.

Nick Nurse was shocked. When Leonard passed Antetokounmpo, Lopez was able to rush over to complete the defense.The offense just now was the same. When both George and Antetokounmpo were blocked, Lopez was able to hit a long-range three-pointer.

Can role players really not kill the game?Nick Nurse found himself wavering in his resolve.

Antetokounmpo drives straight after receiving the blocked ball, defending and counterattacking, which is his favorite offensive method.Ibaka and Gasol Jr. can stop Antetokounmpo in a positional battle, but they can't follow Antetokounmpo in a transition attack.

If Ibaka was five years younger, he might still be able to run, but unfortunately, time is gone forever.

"Bang!"

With a two-handed dunk, Antetokounmpo widened the point difference to double digits again.Although it was Antetokounmpo who scored the goal, Lopez was captured by the camera on the scene.

A three-pointer and a block. Since Henson's timeout, Lopez has completed two key offenses and defenses.Everyone can't help but have a question mark in their hearts. Is Brook Lopez Henson's last weapon?
Nick Nurse still can't believe it, he hasn't changed his strategy, he doesn't want to liberate George and Antetokounmpo because of a Lopez.

In the next attack, the Raptors got two points back with Ibaka's solid mid-range shot, but the situation was still dangerous for them.

Sure enough, after the Raptors turned the score into single digits, the score was pulled away again before their butt was hot.It was none other than Lopez who opened the score!
George's long shot knocked to the front of the basket, and Leonard's defense against him was very oppressive.Just when Nick Nurse was about to applaud the successful defense, Lopez made a tip-in lightly.

Nas' expression froze instantly, while Gasol looked around in confusion.He was slack just now, he didn't expect that Lopez would rush in to grab an offensive rebound.But in the Eastern Conference Finals, those flukes could go awry.

Lopez's tip-up allowed him to score his 21st point in the game.At the same time, the point difference was widened to 11 points again.

"It's Brook Lopez again, he seems to be back to the top!"

If Henson heard Kenny Smith's commentary, he would definitely not agree.Brook Lopez is not back to the top, his peak never went away.It's just that he sacrificed his data and peak for the Pacers.

As a role player, Lopez must sacrifice his own data and worth.But when you need him to step up, he is obliged.

Nick Nurse looked at Lopez, then at Henson standing on the sidelines with his arms crossed.He knew that he couldn't be led by the nose by Henson.If Gasol is allowed to defend Lopez with all his strength, Antetokounmpo will be completely liberated.

Once Antetokounmpo was liberated, there was no stopping the Pacers from winning.

So, Nick Nurse gritted his teeth and stomped his feet, and chose to continue to maintain the original strategy!

Can Lopez kill the game?Nas chose not to believe it.

Without knowing it, Henson put his favorite pick in front of his opponent again.

Brook Lopez and Giannis Antetokounmpo, two bottles of poison, it depends on how you choose to die.

(End of this chapter)