From sparring to superstar

Chapter 330 328. I will definitely come back!
9分10板3助攻3抢断5盖帽，三个赛季了，连续278场比赛后，李敖生涯首次得分不上双！

The data for the regular season and playoffs are calculated separately. His streak of scoring in double figures in 238 consecutive games during the regular season continues.

Bibby took the most shots in the game, throwing 21 times and scoring 7 goals. He had no free throws or three-pointers and scored 14 points.

The TT combination wasn't much better either.

邓肯14投4中，加上5中3的罚球，拿到11分17板1助攻1抢断4盖帽。

麦迪17投6中，其中三分球5中1，加上3中2的罚球，拿到15分8板3助攻2抢断1盖帽。

The Magic's best shooting performance was Cassell's 16 points on 7-for-18 shooting.

The best shooting performance of the Clippers is...Jordan!
15投7中，其中三分球3中1，加上6中5的罚球，拿到全场最高的20分。

The statistics of the two teams' top six scorers made the basketball commentators on Blue Star silent for a while.

Weiping Bryant from the imperial court said: "This game was really... tragic!"

TNT Sports’ Flying Pig shouted: “The Clippers did it again!”

The two teams combined for only 124 points!
In the mid-90s, version 1.0 of the Iron Era, the Knicks and Heat, the two teams that initiated the Iron Age, once scored 66 to 64 in the playoffs. The two teams scored a total of 130 points, which was the most in the playoffs. Detailed statistics of the lowest score in history.

This record was broken tonight!
Some fans did not watch the live broadcast but only watched the game results. When they saw the score, they had questions in their heads.

Then I remembered that the fighting party was the Clippers...that was normal.

and many more!

Did the Clippers lose?
How could the Clippers lose if they play defense?The Trail Blazers, who averaged the lowest points per game, were beaten by the Clippers!

Fans who were there and watched the live broadcast knew what was going on - the gap in stability.

When the Clippers' defense is at its worst, it can allow the Magic to enter a short-term scoring vacuum.

Of course, this is predicated on the fact that the role players of both teams have been exhausted to a certain extent and the Magic's stars are also focused on the defensive end.

But the Clippers' iron-blooded tactics are traditional. There are defensive ups and downs.

The Magic are different, their defensive stability is maintained almost throughout the entire process!
Lack of adaptability seems to be a major flaw in team sports.

But when the strength reaches a certain level, this is no longer a flaw.

No matter how strong the Clippers were in their offensive or defensive burst phase, the Magic remained unmoved, defended as they should, and whoever was supposed to shoot took shots... and beat the Clippers to death!

...

After G1, the media and fans began to seriously discuss the championship.

At the beginning of the finals, there was also discussion in this regard, but at that time it was mainly for gimmicks - the Clippers broke the Lakers' record with 16 consecutive victories to win the championship, the Magic reversed the sweep 4-2, the new version of the Bulls-Jazz battle... and so on.

However, a gimmick is a gimmick, and many people really think that the Clippers may win 16 consecutive games and directly pass the finals and win the championship.

Winning all three rounds of the playoff division was so shocking. When the Lakers won 1988 consecutive games and reached the Finals in the 1989-11 season, the media and fans almost believed that they were going to win three consecutive championships.

And with the lessons learned from the 1989-1989 season, after the Lakers won the first three rounds of the 00-01 season, public opinion still unanimously believed that the Lakers would win the championship.

The media concentrated on making stunts and the fans followed suit. In fact, it can be seen that people feel that the finals are not suspenseful.

Now that the Clippers' undefeated streak has been shattered, the media and fans have really begun to discuss who will win the championship.

Given the premise that the Magic are leading 1-0 on the road, more people are optimistic about them than the Clippers.

Public opinion always jumps from one extreme to the other. The Clippers' 16-game winning streak is gone, and the Magic's 8-game winning streak has appeared again...

However, there are more fans supporting the Clippers to win the championship!
When Li Ao was browsing the forum, he saw that many teams had formed a 'support coalition' for the Clippers, and he couldn't stop complaining about how much his neighbors next door were hated... I was so envious!
All teams hate the Lakers, but they all want to be the Lakers.

Such enthusiasm and public opinion atmosphere relieved Stern, who had several televisions and computers in his office and his desk was covered with newspapers.

The trend of paid bookings coming from the TV station is also very gratifying. It is definitely not comparable to the Western Conference Finals. Although the Civil War in Angel City was swept, the average ratings of the four games still exceeded 4%. It was a super IP. There is no other matchup in the league today. Comparable.

But the ratings were much better than last year's finals. According to statistics from the Flower Planter, 1 million people watched G[-]... Although Stern was confused, everything was beautiful.

This also temporarily put an end to his idea of ​​​​cutting the defense in this year's year-end regular meeting.

If it doesn't affect the ratings, he doesn't want to take action now. The new rules will be rejected after only two seasons. He can't lose face.

After a day of rest, on June 6, the Clippers will face the Magic in the second game of the Finals at home.

For more than 40 hours, the media, experts, and football experts have analyzed and discussed the Clippers' possible adjustments in Game [-].

Gentry has created three lineups this season, and there are still many changes available.

But after the game started at 8 o'clock in the evening, the Clippers still defended fiercely from the beginning, as if they were going to go all the way to blackout.

Of course there are changes - Li Ao has been running wildly to catch and shoot from the beginning of the game!
He shoots when he has a chance, and he shoots when he doesn't. When he receives the ball and defends against two people, as long as he can lift the ball, he still shoots...

The day before yesterday, he faced the new version of the Magic for the first time. Li Ao played badly, making only 15 of 3 shots. If he hadn't scored a mid-range shot at the beginning and a three-pointer when he was still alive, he would have become Li Yifeng. .

That's not okay, he is sworn in with gambling and drugs.

After a fierce battle, Li Ao already had some experience in dealing with the Magic's off-ball defense. There was nothing he could do to get out of the open space. In the third quarter of G1, the opponent would rather give Jordan an open shot than let go of his defense.

But it is possible to find holes in the Magic team's defense and move to catch the ball.

The skill of 'vacation killer' is basically useless in this finals. There is no chance of quickly regaining touch with this skill.

If this is the case, then take action in large quantities!
Don't play singles until the necessary moment. McGrady's overall defensive ability is significantly different from Kobe, but McGrady's physical condition is better than Kobe's, and he is stronger in both dynamic and static situations. McGrady's single defense on the outside, Clifford Robinson and Duncan guard At close range and at the basket, facing such a defense, it was difficult for Li Ao to get a good shot.

Running, catching and shooting is the best option!
李敖首节打了10分钟，9投3中，加上4中2的罚球，拿到8分2板2盖帽。

His shooting percentage was not very good, and he even made two rare free throws when he stepped to the free throw line for the first time.

But in such a game, his scoring performance is already very good!

Coupled with a tip-in by O'Neal, a layup by Gerald Wallace, two free throws by Jordan who came on as a substitute at the end of the quarter... and Bibby's three-pointer at the last minute, the Clippers led 17-15. Leading the Magic by two points to enter the intermission break!
The Magic's offense tonight was also better than the first quarter of G1.

Li Ao has a deeper understanding of the Magic and can get shooting opportunities. The Magic also has a deeper understanding of the Clippers' defense, and their offensive performance has naturally improved.

Now it is impossible for the two teams to score a total score lower than 130.

Bibby suddenly hit a three-pointer at the end of the first quarter to take the lead. The Magic players' mentality was a little bit explosive, but seeing the calm look of the TT combination, they also calmed down.

But Duncan and McGrady, who seemed calm, were actually not that calm.

Li Ao's performance surprised them!

The shooting rate is extremely low, only 33%, but if they are allowed to score 9 points on 8 shots in a single quarter in such a game, they have no confidence. They are not the monsters of Iverson and Kobe.

And this means that there are obvious loopholes in their defense against Li Ao.

Being able to take a large number of shots means that there is a probability of being able to shoot away... A player who can score more than his opponent's entire team in three quarters will be able to shoot away...

But the two did not intend to continue to strengthen their defense against Li Ao.

In last season's finals, Li Ao averaged 30 points per game. This season, Li Ao had a terrifying performance in which he scored more points than the opponent's team in three quarters. In G1, they directly stretched their defense against Li Ao and ensured the team's defense. Basic limits.

To strengthen it...Spider-Man moves without the ball and two people chase him?

There's no way to play the game!
Their thoughts are the same as when they played against the Nets - we do our best at what we should do, and you, the big spider, can shoot us to death if you can!
When they faced Li Ao, their mentality fluctuated more than when they faced Kidd, not because of their strength, but because of their past wins and losses.

They won against the Nets in the playoffs last season, but lost against Li Ao. It's that simple.

In the second quarter, Li Ao was not sent on immediately, but Jordan was the main attacker, assisted by Odom and Yalic, and supported by Big Q and Jaylon Collins.This surprised the Magic a little, but they didn't think much about it, and they didn't need to think too much, and they resolutely executed what they had to do.

By the time we hit G2, even the fans in front of the TV felt what was special about the Magic.

The Magic's stability this season has been praised. If the Clippers hadn't won two 20+ games in a row, the Magic would have definitely won the regular season championship.

But until now, fans understand how stable the Magic are!

The Magic seemed like they couldn't do anything wrong, attacking and defending every round in an orderly manner.

Especially Duncan!
Duncan, who has just turned 27, naturally does not yet have the reputation of being "stable for ten years." His impression in the minds of fans is that he is a complete legend who enters the NBA like a big bird and is destined to dominate the league.

In this finals, Duncan has carved a new image in the minds of fans...

After 3 minutes of the second quarter, Jordan was replaced.

This surprised the Magic again. They thought the Clippers would let Jordan play like they did in the second quarter of the last game, and Li Ao would take turns relying on their personal ability to bite the score, and finally fight for the key ball.

This is a very reasonable guess.

But the Los Angeles team, the shooting guard of Los Angeles, and they say 'reasonable'?
After a 2-minute break in the first quarter and a 3-minute break in the second quarter, Li Ao continued to play!Better than the first quarter!
There were only 9 shots in 8 minutes, but the same number of goals were 3, and all 3 free throws were scored, giving him 9 points!
Under the leadership of Li Ao, the Clippers scored 21 points in the second quarter.

The Magic relied on Cassel to hit a turnaround jumper at the last moment, increasing their score to 19 points in the single quarter and keeping the point difference within 5 points.

38 to 34, the Clippers led the Magic by 4 points entering halftime!
Li Ao could still play like that in the second quarter!

If Li Ao hadn't been so big, McGrady would have thought that his high school friend had put on Spider-Man clothes to sneak up on him.

However, although the Clippers now have a 4-point lead, McGrady is relieved.

The Big Spider needs to ensure defense when shooting like this. If he can do it in the first quarter, he can also hold on in the second quarter. Can he still hold on for the whole game?

After returning from the break, McGrady admitted that he was wrong... The Big Spider really could!

Li Ao started the game in the third quarter and continued to play like the previous two quarters. On the offensive end, he actively cooperated with his teammates to run and receive shots. On the defensive end, Gerald Wallace and Big Q were not around, so he just bit McGrady to defend.

The Magic can still handle just one Spider-Man. Li Ao scored 17 points at the half, and the Magic only trailed by 4 points at the half. Cassell, McGrady, or Mike Miller could catch up with one or two more goals. .

But it was Jordan who was the main attacker in this section!
And it was Jordan who exercised his body for 5 minutes in the first half, concentrated his energy and fired up in the third quarter, and Li Ao ran with all his strength to take over!
Under the leadership of the two, the Clippers exploded with amazing strength, scoring 9 points in 23 minutes!
In these 9 minutes, Li Ao's number of shots dropped sharply, only 4, but he made 4 of 2 shots, a [-]% hit rate!
Jordan, who concentrated on physical output, and Li Ao, who responded with an increase in shooting percentage, led the team to open up the offensive situation in the third quarter!
In terms of defense, the combination of Bibby, Li Ao, Jordan, Matt Halprin, and O'Neal, although the defensive impact is not as good as the starting lineup, the defensive coordination and experience are far better than the starting lineup. In terms of ability, Jordan can provide defense on the flanks. Assisting defense and Li Ao's single defense on the outside are better than Li Ao's flank defense and Gerald Wallace's single defense on the outside.

In these 9 minutes, the Clippers defended the Magic and only scored 14 points!
By the time the Magic called a timeout, the score had reached 48-61, and the Magic were 13 points behind!

After the timeout, Rivers re-assigned the starting lineup, but opposite Gentry, only O'Neal Jr. and Matt Halprin were left. Bibby, Li Ao, and Jordan were all replaced and replaced by Yalic. , Big Q, Campbell...

In the last 3 minutes of the third quarter, the Magic tried to counterattack, but despite their efforts, they only scored 6 points.

The Clippers were purely defensive in these three minutes. On the offensive end, they only scored a three-pointer with a big Q wave, but they have completed the task assigned to them by Gentry - not letting the opponent narrow the point difference too much.

The score in a single quarter was 26 to 20. After three quarters, the Clippers expanded their lead to 10 points, and the score came to 64 to 54!

...

Entering the break, Rivers finally realized that the Clippers were not without changes tonight, and they were not mindlessly beating up defensive stars.

The Clippers have made changes, but they are not simply adjustments to their playing style, but strategic changes throughout normal games!
The strategic goal is to create opportunities for Jordan to play in the third quarter.

Rivers was so numb that the other side actually pointed at a 40-year-old veteran to win?

Even if that person is Jordan, he is 40 years old!
He couldn't figure out what Gentry was trying to do. Letting others go through it and allowing Spider-Man to take risks, wasn't it better than this?
Time Warner Cable Sports Live, Bill Walton was as puzzled as Rivers.

Special commentator Hubie Brown took a deeper look: "It's not that Gentry doesn't want Spider-Man to play Jordan's role, but that other people can't do Spider-Man's job.

Jordan scored a game-high 20 points in the last game, but if you look closely, you will see that he scored consecutive goals in a very short time every time. Jordan can no longer do what Spider-Man can do. "

"It's true...Hubby, Spider-Man's style of play reminds me of a player."

"Who?"

"Allen Iverson in 01, although his playing style was completely different."

"Eh! It's really similar. Did Gentry directly use Brown's tactics? But Gentry's luck is better than Brown's. In addition to Spider-Man, he also has Jordan. The main thing is that he has Spider-Man. Otherwise, he has Spider-Man. It’s useless for Jordan, he is already 40 years old..."

"Oh, Hubby, you have to have a limit when you praise Spider-Man. You are right. Without Spider-Man to support him in the first half, Jordan's explosion in the third quarter would be useless. But without Jordan, Spider-Man would not be able to stand up in the first half." The half-court play didn't help either... No matter how much you rave about him, he's not going to the Grizzlies.

The Clippers already have the prototype of the Lakers 20 years ago. They will inevitably become the overlord of this era. Give up! "

Hubie Brown, who had his thoughts exposed, said angrily: "Don't young players like this deserve praise?
People are praising Duncan's stability and spirit of sacrifice. In fact, Spider-Man is no worse than Duncan in this regard. People have even become accustomed to Spider-Man's concessions in statistics. Take a look at his statistics after entering the NBA, and you will I found that his rookie season had the best statistics, and he has been making sacrifices in the next two seasons..."

The fourth quarter started when Hubie Brown was bragging about Spider-Man.

Rivers wanted to attack during the break, but the TT combination ignored him, and his teammates also listened to the big brother and the second brother.

With the experience of last year's finals, the TT combination has completely understood that it is no problem to leave the tactical system to Rivers, but at critical moments, Rivers' response most of the time is adding chaos.

But neither of them had the ability in this area, so they chose to continue playing it slow and steady.

What if the opponent feels cold in the fourth quarter?Or did Spider-Man's defensive performance decline after another quarter?In the second half of the last game, wasn't Spider-Man unable to defend himself?
Unfortunately, no unexpected situation occurred tonight. Although the Clippers' late offense was not as fierce as the 26 points in the third quarter, it was not too bad and maintained the level of the first half.

Another expectation of the TT combination was also disappointed. Li Ao came on the field after playing for 3 and a half minutes in the last quarter, switched back to the first half's style of play, and continued the offensive and defensive performance to the end.

The score was 17 to 21 in the final quarter, and at 10:22 pm, the final whistle sounded.

今晚被当成‘终极武器’用的乔丹，上半场打了5分钟、第三节打了9分钟、末节撑了三分半钟，18分钟出场时间里11投6中，加上5中4的罚球，拿到16分3板3助攻。

李敖出场37分钟，27投10中，其中三分球4中1，加上9中6的罚球，拿到27分9板2助攻4抢断3盖帽。

麦迪16投6中，其中三分球5中1，加上6中5的罚球，拿到18分6板2助攻1抢断2盖帽。

卡塞尔13投5中，加上2中1的罚球，拿到11分5板5助攻。

Duncan played very well tonight, shooting 20 of 10 from the field, the highest shooting percentage among the main players of the two teams. In addition to 5 of 3 free throws, he scored 23 points, 18 rebounds and 4 blocks.

但除了他他们仨，魔术队得分最高的是9分的迈克-米勒，接着……是4分7板1助攻1抢断的克利福德-罗宾逊。

Under the leadership of God and Man, the Clippers defeated the Magic 81-75, defended their second home court, and chased the score to 1-1!

Win under heavy pressure, stabilize the situation and avoid collapse.

After the final whistle sounded, Li Ao felt comfortable all over!

This is the game he longs for!
He thought of last year's second-round series with the Lakers...

Compared with the Lakers team that swept everything in the 01 playoffs, the Magic team is terrible, but compared with the Lakers team last season, this Magic team is stronger.

Li Ao celebrated the victory with his teammates and prepared to run away with Jordan.

Jordan wanted to get used to the feeling of not being an active super-popular superstar in advance, while Li Ao wanted to review the game while the impression was deep.

But they couldn't escape. A group of reporters surrounded them.

The two of them were forced to go to business. If they were leading 2-0, the two of them could perform a double-talk show for reporters on the spot, pretending to be Bobby.

The current situation is unfavorable. Although they won this game, the big score of 1 to 1 is clearly there, so they can only say harsh words.

The last question asked by the reporter: "You will play three consecutive away games next. This schedule is even more detrimental to teams with good records. Are you dissatisfied with this schedule?"

Jordan was shocked. This question had nothing to do with victory or defeat. He could pretend to be cool. He felt uncomfortable all day long without pretending...

Li Ao said first: "I will definitely come back!"

(End of this chapter)