NBA: I am a master dealer

Chapter 218 The playoffs are locked in advance, and the slot battle begins

After re-establishing the winning streak, the Heat were once again out of control.

Defeating the Kings, killing the Celtics, and overcoming the Nets, it was another five-game winning streak.

The Heat became the first team to break through 50 wins this season, and their record has also reached an astonishing 51 wins and 13 losses, still ranking first in the league.

Simultaneously.

They also relied on this wave of winning streak to secure a playoff spot in advance.

In other words, even if they lose all the next games, they can still enter the playoffs.

With a dozen or twenty games left before the regular season, the playoff spot is locked in advance. One can imagine how crazy the Heat are this season.

You know, other teams are still fighting for the playoffs.

What the Heat consider is how to run the lineup and how to take reasonable rotations.

Followed by the Golden State Warriors, also very crazy, 50 wins and 13 losses, and only lost one game during this period.

The two sides bite very tightly, and the half-time difference is the only difference.

The Eagles' record came to 48 wins and 16 losses, which was obviously not enough to withstand pressure, and was gradually opened up by the Heat and the Warriors.

At this time, no one mentioned Xue Liancheng's wild words.

The so-called disrespect for the eagle, looking at it now, turned out to be a prophecy.

because……

The Eagles are indeed not the Heat's top competitor in the league.

Xue Liancheng was right.

In addition to the top two in the East, the competition for other positions is still very fierce.

No.3 Cleveland Cavaliers, 40 wins and 26 losses.

Since the trade, they have truly completed their transformation, showing the demeanor of a top team.

Although James' performance was criticized when he was defeated by the Heat, he still maintained the league's No.1 level at other times, which was ridiculously strong.

of course.

Looking back, the loss to the Heat was just a narrow defeat.

This aspect proves that the strength of the Cavaliers should not be underestimated.

but.

They are only one game away from the fourth-placed Bulls, and their records are very close. If they are not careful, they may slip down.

Once they fall to fourth, they will have to meet the Miami Heat early in the second round. This is definitely not the result they want to see.

and so.

They do not have the qualifications to relax in the slightest.

Keeping No.3 is their next goal.

of course.

They can only guarantee No.3.

Because they can't make it to the second place, the Eagles' record of 48 wins and 16 losses is simply beyond their reach.

No.4 Chicago Bulls, 39 wins and 27 losses.

One win away from the Cleveland Cavaliers, as the playoffs approach, they will undoubtedly have to go all out to win.

Because being at No.4, from a long-term perspective, means that in the second round of the playoffs, they will encounter the crazy Big Three of the Heat.

The Bulls were beaten twice by the Heat this season, and it can be said that they were beaten helplessly.

Thibodeau has also been unable to find a way to contain Xue Liancheng.

The most frightening thing is that the Heat's offensive firepower is so fierce that it seems like six seconds to wipe out a team.

Coupled with the Heat's trade to Gasol Jr., Ibaka, PJ-Tucker and others, the Heat's defensive end is also extremely dominant, often causing opponents to suddenly cut off their offense.

There is no doubt that the Heat are the scariest team in the East, not even one of them.

Anyway, in terms of record level, this is definitely the case.

With 18 games left before the end of the regular season, they won 50+ victories with overwhelming momentum.

Such a team is so strong that it makes people feel heartbroken...

And the Cavaliers' new Big Three should not be underestimated either.

If they have to choose between the Heat and the Cavaliers, they may have choice phobia.

But the problem is.

As long as they squeeze to the third place, they will have no such troubles at all.

Let the Heat and the Cavaliers fight ahead of time, and they can reap the benefits of the fisherman.

What's more...

The second Atlanta Hawks are too easy to play.

At least there is no sense of suffocation from the Heat.

If they meet the Heat, they will have a feeling of narrow escape, and even have the illusion that "it is difficult to win a game".

But when they met the Eagles, they didn't feel that kind of oppression, and they even felt that they could still talk about it.

Once the Eagles are passed, it will be the Eastern Conference Finals.

Let's not talk about the final result.

Entering the Eastern Conference Finals is to exceed the goal of this season.

No.5 Toronto Raptors, 37 wins and 27 losses.

The distance from the third Cleveland Cavaliers is only 2 wins away.

Their goal is the same as the Bulls, desperately striving for No.3, so that they can avoid the two strongest teams in the East, the Miami Heat and the Cleveland Cavaliers at the same time.

This is definitely the best ranking, the most ideal playoff journey.

If they fail to win the third position, their prospects for the playoffs will be bleak.

After wading through the Heat and Cavaliers with the Big Three one after another, break out of the encirclement?
Eastern team, who can have this confidence?

Anyway, the Raptors don't have one for the time being.

No.6 Washington Wizards, 35 wins and 29 losses.

The gap between them and the Cavaliers has come to 4 games, which is obviously far away.

But finishing third is their only way out.

otherwise.

It is very slim to make a difference in the playoffs.

The above four teams are all fighting for the third place.

Whoever can grab the third place will be able to grab a ticket to the Eastern Conference Finals.

of course.

It's just a ticket.

After all, the eagle is not a soft persimmon, and no one can guarantee that they will pass the eagle.

But if you meet the Heat, you won't even have a chance to pat your chest.

This is the difference.

Seventh Milwaukee Bucks, 33 wins and 32 losses.

The situation after the transaction is not very good. McAway is not acclimatized, or in other words, his record has slipped compared to before.

But their seventh position is still very stable.

There are certain difficulties in chasing up.

But when it fell, it seemed that it couldn't fall.

Then No.8 is complicated.

The Indiana Pacers are 27-36.

The Charlotte Hornets are 27-36.

Boston Celtics 25-38

Brooklyn Nets 23-40

These are the teams vying for the final playoff spot.

That's right.

27 wins and 36 losses can be ranked eighth.

With 23 wins and 40 losses, they will be eligible for the playoffs.

The current situation in the East is such a joke.

The Heat's top spot in the Eastern Conference has become more and more stable, that is to say, their playoff opponents will have a high probability of being produced among these four teams.

Originally...

According to the historical trajectory, their record can go up by one or two games, but because of the arrival of Xue Liancheng and the crazy performance of the Heat, their overall record has dropped significantly.

Not only them, but the entire league has declined to varying degrees.

Because according to the historical trajectory, the Heat's final record is 37 wins and 45 losses.

But now, the Heat have only lost 13 games, so who will bear the remaining 30+ games that are converted into wins?
no doubt……

All league.

This caused their record to be affected to varying degrees.

Only then did 23 wins and 40 losses also qualify for the playoffs.

of course.

Even without Xue Liancheng's arrival, the corruption in the east would not improve, it's just not so ugly.

……

……

And this time.

American Airlines Center.

Spoelstra led the teaching assistants, and they were also discussing the issue of slotting. Xue Liancheng, Wade, and Gasol were listening.

Keith was the first to speak: "No matter who is the eighth, it has no effect on us. We need to consider the second round now, because the records of the Cavaliers, Bulls, Raptors, and Wizards are very close. If the Cavaliers lose To fourth or fifth, then we will fight against the Cavaliers Big Three in advance, which is not a wise choice."

They have already secured the playoff spot, so naturally they don't have the trouble of hitting the playoffs.

But they still have to think about the matchup in the playoffs.

Just like meeting the Cavaliers in advance in the second round, the consumption of them will undoubtedly be huge.

If they reach the tiebreaker and then start the Eastern Conference finals, their physical fitness, concentration, and mental fatigue are not at their best, which is also a disadvantage.

of course.

In fact, the most worrying question is that if they lose the series, they will be eliminated in the second round. How will they explain to the management?

How to explain to the majority of Heat fans?

If it was the Eastern Conference Finals, it would be relatively easy for everyone to accept it, but what if it was the second round?
That is absolutely unacceptable.

This point is especially critical...

Another assistant coach stood up and spoke, "I agree with Keith's point of view, we need to find the best path to the finals, not rampage, every game in the playoffs cannot be lost, so we must be cautious , since we have the right to choose a match, why not find an easy path?"

Don't think that the Heat can stabilize the opponent in the playoffs by defeating Cleveland twice this season.

The regular season is the regular season, and the playoffs are the playoffs. These are two completely different levels of competition.

Just like in the 10-11 season, Rose turned out to lead the Chicago Bulls invincible and won the league's first record.

At that time, the momentum of the Bulls and Rose was no worse than that of the Heat and Xue Liancheng.

At the same time, the two have a lot in common.

They are all rising superstars, both offensive and defensive ends are extremely dominant, and the core is also a point guard.

In the regular season, the Bulls are not afraid of the Heat's Big Three.

But the end result is...

In the Eastern Conference Finals, the Bulls were eliminated by the Big Three Heat with a big score of 1:4, except for the first game where Rose scored 26 points in high spirits and slaughtered the Heat 103:82.

In the next four games, the Bulls had no power to fight back, and Rose's efficiency was extremely poor.

They were 23 of 7, 19 of 7, 27 of 8, and 29 of 9. It is undoubtedly a dream to win the series with such a shooting percentage.

This is a proof!

It is a precedent for the weak to defeat the strong!
and so……

Keith raised the issue of avoiding the Cleveland Cavaliers, and it seems that there is nothing wrong with it.

Sipo frowned and thought for a moment, then looked at Wade: "Dwyane, what do you think?"

Wade replied: "LeBron, who entered the playoffs, will enter another mode. Please believe me, he is definitely not as weak as we thought."

It also means wanting to release water...

Because the Cavaliers and them still have two confrontations.

Although what Wade said is true, I don't know if it contains selfishness...

Xue Liancheng secretly slandered...

At this time, Si Bo looked at Xue Liancheng again, "Xue, what do you think?"

According to the normal situation, as a rookie who has never played in the playoffs, he has no right to speak.

But since he asked himself, Xue Liancheng naturally said what was in his heart: "My goal is the championship. I will not run away from any opponent. I will stand here and accept anyone's challenge."

As soon as this word comes out.

Everyone's body couldn't help shaking slightly.

so arrogant...

So domineering...

The eyes of the people looking at Xue Liancheng changed slightly.

The meaning of these words is already very clear: the king is never afraid of challenges.

but me.

That's the king.

Xue Liancheng is very disdainful of the behavior of picking opponents.

If you want to win the championship, you need to show the aura of gods blocking and killing gods, and Buddhas blocking Buddhas.

No matter who you meet, you should hold your head high and press down.

Instead of engaging in those bells and whistles and picking and choosing, this is not the mentality that a championship team should have.

Just like Jokic led the Nuggets later, Zhuge Malone chose to release the water just before the playoffs, and the result...

Let yourself go.

There is a good saying: Never underestimate the heart of a champion.

Only with the heart of a championship can we move forward.

Instead of going forward indomitably, you can find the championship.

The order cannot be reversed.

What's more...

The point of view put forward by Keith and others is that they don't even have a stance of going forward. What's the point of picking and choosing?

or……

In the second round, he was directly eliminated and went home.

or……

Just wading through the Cleveland Cavaliers, just stepping on James' corpse to reach the finals.

Is it necessary to study the problem of releasing water here?
This is what he really thinks.

of course.

He also has another thought, which is to go all out and beat the Golden State Warriors to win the first record in the regular season.

in this way……

Only in the battle for MVP can he have more advantages.

Only by winning the MVP and strengthening his golden thighs can he show a stronger self in the playoffs.

Only when he becomes stronger can they really get their hands on the championship.

These things are all linked together.

release water?

Let your sister go...

Keith frowned, and said again: "I think it's too risky to go all out in a basically certain situation. In case of injury..."

Didn't go on, but the meaning is obvious.

There is no point in fighting.

The Cavaliers are desperately trying to avoid their heat for No.3.

What are they working so hard for?

Xue Liancheng raised his eyebrows and replied, "Destroy them mentally."

Keith opened his mouth and said nothing.

The leading players are so determined.

It's a bit out of date for him to still sing the anti-tune here.

Sipo pondered for a moment: "When it's time for the rotation, we adjust the lineup according to our own rhythm. It's good if we can win, but if we can't win, then let nature take its course."

It means that when you are on the field, you will go all out, but if you should rest, you still have to rest.

This is the final word.

Xue Liancheng couldn't say much.

But the magic is here.

In the game against the Raptors on the 13th, Spoelstra let them play with all their main players.

Obviously, it is to snipe the Raptors and prevent the Raptors from competing for third place.

This……

What else is there to say about the rest?
shit……

Spoelstra followed Keith's advice and wanted to avoid the Cavaliers in the second round.

Xue Liancheng didn't care, since he was playing, he would naturally not be merciful.

The result was no surprise.

They defeated the Toronto Raptors who were trying their best again with 112:102.

Lowry and DeRozan really worked hard, playing 45 minutes and 44 minutes respectively, with little rest time.

But they were still helpless.

There is still a certain gap between the two sides in terms of strength.

Xue Liancheng scored 30 points and 28 assists in 13 minutes.

During this period of time, he also intentionally or unintentionally increased his number of shots, and even the time of possession of the ball has also increased.

The purpose is naturally to brush up some data and make myself more beautiful as a whole.

in this way……

Altruistically competing for the MVP trophy.

Wade's game state burst, 13 of 9 shots, got 25 points.

Going to the rim is more aggressive.

There is also suspicion of swiping data.

The performance of others is relatively average.

And the Raptors here.

Lowry made 12 of 7 shots and 8 of 5 three-pointers. He has already tried his best and scored 19 points, 8 assists and 8 rebounds, which is very comprehensive.

DeRozan wasn't efficient on 12-for-3 shooting, but the guy was driving to the rim all night, winning 13 free throws and hitting 12 of them.

He also scored the team's second-highest score of 18 points, plus 6 assists and 6 rebounds.

Really gave it all.

Maybe they wouldn't have thought that they lost not only the difference in strength, but also because the Heat were so determined that they didn't want them to win...

The game against the Raptors is over.

The Heat ushered in a two-day break, and on the 16th they will once again meet the challenge of the Cleveland Cavaliers at home.

The war of words between the fans of both sides has once again taken off.

This game also attracted much attention.

Anyway, with the current league structure, the match between the Heat and the Cavaliers will never lack topics, never lack attention...

All eyes are on James.

As No.1 in the league, there is no doubt that he will be under the spotlight.

The Heat, as the team with the best record in the league, and Xue Liancheng, as the most explosive star in the league, have received a lot of attention.

Plus the point of view of Wade vs James.

The grievances and grievances between James and the Heat.

The biggest concern is what kind of sparks will be created when Xue Liancheng and James Mars collide with the earth.

Besides.

The Cavaliers have already lost two games in a row, and no matter how tolerant their fans are, they can't stand being beaten three times in a row.

They were still beheaded by the enemy three times in a row, so they are also putting pressure on the Cavaliers players on social media, urging them to give everything they have, and they must win a game and save some face.

Heat fans, on the other hand, can ride on the knight's neck openly and open the mocking mode.

The game starts.

When Xue Liancheng learned about the players in this game, he was happy on the spot.

Really put water!

Gasol Jr. and Batum, both of them have a truce.

Without Gasol's inside barrier, wouldn't the Heat's penalty area be smashed by James?
but……

Water is not too obvious.

after all……

The two cores, he and Wade, still played.

This is to be expected.

But he can't put water.

There is no reason to release water.

Zhan's determination to blow up my scheming is still very firm.

(End of this chapter)