The best teammates in the NBA

Chapter 458 The floor of the Western Conference finals is hard to touch (7500 word chapter)
When a team's offense relies too much on the perimeter, in the playoffs, it is very likely that they will shoot wide.

The closer to the basket, the higher the shooting rate. This is an unchanging truth. The Trail Blazers naturally want to complete more offenses in the paint area, but their strength really does not allow them to do so.

In Game 3 of the Western Conference semifinals, at the end of the first half, Li Ze returned to the court, and Lillard frowned suddenly, feeling that the good times are over.
In the Rose Garden Arena, the fans of the Trail Blazers regained their voices, no matter what the result of the game, they will not give up!
"Defense! Defense! Defense!"

The DJ also tried his best to mobilize the atmosphere of the scene. Fortunately, the fans had already lost their nerves, and they had done a good job of psychological construction in advance, and the atmosphere gradually recovered.

With a 14-point difference, Li Ze wanted to fish in advance again. He was at the top of the arc outside the three-point line, facing Harkless's defense, holding the ball sideways with his left hand to protect the ball.

A simple half-turn feint, suddenly twisting forward after pulling the ball with his left hand, immediately shook Harkless to slide back and forth to the right.

Li Zelik dribbled back with a cross step, returned to the three-point line, and then immediately joined the ball, ignoring Harkless, and quickly shot from outside the three-point line!

"Shua!" The three-pointer hit the net hollowly!

Harkless, who basically played a fake starter in this game, was a little dazed, why did he get in?
Whenever a defensive player slides backward desperately, Li Ze usually makes a quick three-pointer. This is also a reminder to the defensive player:

"Hey! It's time to post up!"

Evan Turner, who was sitting on the bench, felt even more depressed. He didn't like to play against Li Ze at all.

Taller than you, stronger than you, and more accurate than you in shooting. In addition to attacking the basket, he also has to play a few post-ups from time to time.

As long as he thinks of this, Evan Turner doesn't even want to play. He knows the Clippers' rhythm too well, and there is a high probability that he will be cold again tonight.

At 54:37, Li Ze's three-pointer widened the gap again.

"If the Trail Blazers want to break through, then the next thing they should do is stockpile some forward players."

"In the Western Conference, the Warriors have Durant, the Clippers have Kayce, and the Rockets, although the backcourt is the core, have Tucker, Mbah a Moute, and Ariza in terms of forward defensive resources."

"Lillard is good, but in the playoffs, he needs more help!"

As soon as the point difference got bigger, Jeff Van Gundy began to nag about the Trail Blazers' team building ideas.

I think the team also had Batum and Aldridge, but the Trail Blazers team suddenly disintegrated.

Also lost to the Clippers, the Rockets and the Warriors are actively reinforcing, but the Trail Blazers have a double shot in the backcourt
The shortest player in the Clippers' starting lineup is Jaylen Brown, but the rookie also has some size advantages when facing the Trail Blazers.

Mark Jackson felt that his old partner didn't hurt his back when he stood up and talked.

The supply of forward players who can defend and shoot is in short supply these days. Many teams are impatient to scratch the lottery, so they will naturally offer tens of millions of contracts for these players.

This is the predicament of the Trail Blazers, there are more wolves and less meat
The point difference is too big, the Trail Blazers speed up the offensive rhythm, and Lillard doesn't care about hitting the iron at this time, and throws it when he has a chance outside the three-point line.

Nurkic screened well this time, and Lillard made a pull-up jump shot from a long [-]-pointer at the top of the arc, then hit the iron again.
The long rebound fell into the hands of Jaylen Brown, and the Clippers had another chance to switch offense.

"Oh! The key game, is this the first time Lillard has missed a three-point shot?"

"They should break through resolutely and cause damage. Don't forget that they are playing at home tonight."

Mark Jackson murmured helplessly in a low voice, and the three games were exactly the same.

The Clippers widened the point difference, the Trail Blazers hit the iron with a three-pointer, and then the point difference continued to expand, and it became garbage time in the fourth quarter.

McCallum has already broken the defense at this time, and he feels very good tonight, coupled with Jaylen Brown's defensive experience, he has been outputting all the way in the first half.

It's just that the progress of the game makes people unable to complain, and they fall behind by more than ten points
Calling his teammates to retreat, McCallum hasn't given up yet. As for Lillard, who is hardworking, he rushed back to his own half at the first time.

Jaylen Brown slowly pushed forward. Seeing Li Zebi's tactical gesture, he came to the right flank and suddenly changed direction. After switching to the right hand, he lowered his center of gravity and continued to accelerate, crushing and breaking through to the right block.

Under McCollum's death, he finally slowed down Jaylen Brown. Facing a back-to-back hit, he could only continue to die.

Li Ze, who was at the top of the arc, suddenly moved to the right flank at this time, Jokic moved early, and Harkless's pursuit was suspended, and he could only watch Li Ze easily receive the pass from Jaylen Brown .

After receiving the ball, he held up the ball and swayed it. Harkless, who was chasing up again, subconsciously attacked him. As a result, he flew horizontally in front of Li Ze, completely losing his defensive position.
After shaking off the defense, Li Ze adjusted slightly, and then made a steady jump shot from outside the three-point line!

"Shua!" The three-pointer hit the net hollowly!

At 57:37, the point difference officially came to 20 points. In the Rose Garden Arena, the Trail Blazers fans were numb. This scene seemed familiar, and they were about to be swept out again.

Li Ze smiled slightly at Harkless who was being thrown away, and the other party was ordered to replace Evan Turner to defend him, but the result was of course useless.

The team boss Lila Dela collapsed, and Aminu ate another dumpling tonight.

At the last moment of the half game, it helped the Trail Blazers score consecutive points.

After scoring 5 points in a row, the Trail Blazers finally scored more than 40. They just threw a three-pointer. In the next round, Jokic made a high pick-and-roll. Nurkic and Lillard both double-teamed Li Ze. When the pass was received at the top of the arc, there was no one in front of him.

After taking a glance, there was still no one to defend, Jokic made a steady jumper.

"Shua!" A three-pointer was scored again.

At 62:42, the point difference is still 20 points. Such an easy score also made Jokic smile.

In the front row of the auditorium, two strong men roared angrily, making the enthusiastic fans around feel unhappy, but the difference in size was too big, and no one dared to come forward to argue
As Harkless broke through to the basket and hit another iron, Paul George switched offense and scored two points, and the Rose Garden Arena was completely silent.

At 64:42, the Clippers entered the second half with a 22-point lead.

"Man, it's a pity that half of the game didn't score 10 points, and the referee's help was useless!"

Paul George didn't whistle tonight. After hitting the shot at the buzzer, he smiled and immediately mocked Lillard on the side.

10中2，三分线外6中1，罚球5中4，利拉德半场拿到9分3篮板1助攻3失误。

Despite his poor performance, Lillard also looked down on the thigh hugger in front of him. The two have been at loggerheads since their quarrel in the playoffs last year
"Don't get out of the car, or you will lose badly, be your passenger!"

Lillard pulled a face, and leaned in front of Paul George to output a pass.

The two taunted each other, and finally the referee stepped forward to separate the two sides.

One side is about to get the match point, and the other is about to be swept out. The moods of the players on both sides are naturally different. At this time, the head coach of Stotts also has a hint of crisis.

If the main players express their dissatisfaction to the management, it is likely that he will have to take the blame
"11 of 8 in the half, 5 of 3 from beyond the three-point line, 3 of 3 free throws, Kayce scored 22 points efficiently, if the Clippers can end the series as soon as possible, then they will get nearly a week of rest time. "

The commentator Mike Brin felt that such a schedule was too easy, but 78 is the real deal. The Timberwolves and the Trail Blazers are pulling their hips, and it is no wonder the Clippers.

Mark Jackson suddenly thought of the situation of the Warriors, and said helplessly at this time:
"The ranking of the regular season has too much influence. Neither the Rockets nor the Warriors want to fall to No. 4, and at the same time they want to occupy the home court advantage."

"In this case, the two teams can only meet in the semi-finals in advance. Once the series is put into the seventh game, no matter who wins, there is only one day of rest."

Jeff Van Gundy said in a playful tone at this time:
"No matter how long the rest is, there is no guarantee of victory against the Clippers."

"Kayce is so efficient. He has subverted many people's perception of basketball. His shooting percentage exceeds 7%. He is simply invincible!"

"In the history of the NBA, no one can play like him. I really can't think of how the Clippers can lose in the playoffs."

Although the Trail Blazers at home were behind by a large score, they did not easily switch to the atmosphere group in the second half.

In the Rose Garden Arena, the Trail Blazers fans also adopted the spiritual victory method, ignoring the point difference and continuing to cheer for the home team.

It is a pity that the main lineup played too much time, which also increased Li Ze's playing time.

Watching Li Zeyun pass halftime, with the help of Jokic's high pick-and-roll, get rid of the chase, pull it up and throw it, the fans booed again.

"Shua!" Long-distance three-pointer and then go!

Evan Turner showed his hands to Nurkic helplessly, and he really tried to defend.
The Trail Blazers have never solved the problem of preventing pick-and-rolls. Nurkic's defensive enthusiasm has declined, and he has been frequently targeted by the Clippers since the start of the second half.

Throughout the series, Nurkic played unhappily. This time the Trail Blazers did not use cover tactics in offense, and directly asked for the ball in the low post on the left.

Li Ze, who was guarding Lillard, naturally saw the movement behind him. After the opponent sent a lob pass, Li Ze suddenly retreated to defend when Nurkic put the ball with his right hand.

Failed to push Jokic on the side, Nurkic just wanted to join the ball to avoid Li Ze's interception, but his body reaction was still a beat slower, and the ball was cut off directly.

Lillard didn't step forward to interfere, and immediately called his teammates to retreat quickly.

After completing the steal, Li Ze continued to accelerate with the ball in his right hand, approaching the right flank, and suddenly pushed the ball to change direction.

When he came to the paint area, Lillard immediately started pulling, preparing to foul early, but Li Ze rushed too fast and was taken staggeringly. While losing his defensive position, he could only watch Li Ze come to the bottom left of the basket and make a layup instead!
"squeak!"

The referee hesitated for a moment before blowing the whistle, the foul action was too obvious.
At this time, everyone in the Trail Blazers had just retreated to the three-point line. Everyone was a little frustrated and fouled, but they couldn't hold back.

Li Ze stood on the free throw line with a smile on his face, and the boos from the fans at the scene were the best encouragement for him.

The extra penalty hit steadily, and Li Ze scored 6 points in the second half!
The point difference has already gone to 30 points, and the head coach of Stotts looks ugly.

Originally, he planned to let the main lineup continue to play in the fourth quarter, but it seems that it is better to admit defeat early.

After all, no one wants to lose 58 points to their opponents in the playoffs.

In the third quarter of the game, Lillard's touch finally recovered and he was able to hit difficult shots, but these scores were of no avail, and the game had lost its suspense.

When Harris also started to punch hard, it meant that the Blazers' defensive intensity began to decline.

With a simple off-ball cut, Nurkic was frequently pulled out of the paint, and the Blazers were pushed into a sieve.

At 34:25 in the third quarter, the last quarter turned into garbage time again.

At 98:67, the Blazers fans on the scene had completely run out of battery, and the mental victory method lost its effect after less than a quarter of the game.

McCollum and Lillard sat on the bench and watched the atmosphere group appear expressionlessly.

Being swept away again, the two broke their defenses again. At this time, they could only keep their faces paralyzed. They knew that the director's camera would definitely focus on this side frequently.

"Facts have proved that if the team with the backcourt as the core wants to go further in the playoffs, it must strengthen its defense."

"The Rockets have done a very good job at this point. Chris Paul has gained some weight this season, which allows him to perform excellent defensive tasks when switching defenses."

Hearing Jeff Van Gundy mention the Rockets, Mark Jackson followed up with another Western Conference semifinal:

"The Warriors' backcourt combination is also worth referring to. Stephen Curry is not good on the defensive end, but Klay Thompson can defend from the 1st position to the 3rd position."

"If the Trail Blazers want to go further, they need to change the structure of the lineup."

In the comments of the two, the fourth quarter of the game ended quickly, and there were no boos or cheers in the Rose Garden Arena at this moment.

The fans in the back row began to leave the stadium in an orderly manner. After sweeping and losing games year after year, everyone was a little bit supportive.

At 126:95, the Clippers beat the Trail Blazers, and the series came to 3:0.

Li Ze first gave his teammates a high-five to celebrate, and then quickly walked to the player tunnel. The fans here do not welcome him.

Another Western Conference semifinal that was played simultaneously that night also ended very early, 85:126, the Warriors returned home to beat the Rockets, and the series score came to 2:1.

The two games were crushing games. In TNT's post-match commentary, by the way, it helped the Warriors loan the Western Conference Finals:
"When Curry and Durant explode together, the Warriors are unstoppable!"

"19:8 mistakes, the Rockets lost too many mistakes, I am optimistic that the Warriors will get the match point in the next game!"

Charles Barkley briefly commented on the performance of the Warriors. Although a bit exaggerated, Curry played really well tonight.

23中13，三分线外12中5，罚球4中4，35分6篮板1助攻1盖帽1失误。

Curry rebounded strongly, coupled with Durant's 19 points on 9 of 25, the two scored 60 points together, crushing the Rockets throughout.

"I agree with Chuck, but the fact is that it is difficult for Curry to consistently play like this!"

“Kayce今晚18中14，三分线外8中5，罚球7中7，拿到了40分7篮板11助攻1抢断1盖帽的数据。”

"In this year's playoffs, as long as he played more than 30 minutes, he could score 40+ efficiently. In contrast, Kayce is unstoppable."

Kenny Smith gave his point of view with a smile, and on the big screen behind the four, they also began to compare the data of Li Ze and Curry.

The host Ernie Johnson saw that the topic was about to turn into the Warriors vs. Clippers, and immediately reminded:
"Don't forget that the Rockets still have a chance. Although they didn't perform well tonight, as long as they win an away game, they can regain the initiative."

O'Neal has never been optimistic about the three-point shooting team. At this time, he retorted loudly:

"In this game, the Rockets made just over [-]% of their three-pointers. Maybe they should hit the ball more inside."

"If you keep shooting like this, I believe the Warriors will win the series."

"The Rockets performed well in the regular season, but in the playoffs, what they need is a response ball!"

"."

TNT's program represents the current trend of the mainstream American sports media, and everyone has started to hype the Warriors vs. Clippers again.

On May 5, the Eastern Conference semifinals also ushered in G5.

Compared with the crushing game in the West, the two games that night were fought to the last minute.

At 101:98, the two sides fought hard until overtime to decide the winner.

Three seconds before the end, Ben Simmons made a fatal mistake, Al Horford completed a steal, caused Embiid to foul, and made two free throws to help the team seal the victory.

The first round of the game was difficult, but in the Eastern Conference semifinals, they quickly got the match point. The big score in the series has reached 3:0, and the Celtics have a high probability of reaching the Eastern Conference Finals.

Griffin scored 16 of 8 and scored 22 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists. Although the limelight was taken away by Tatum, the surface brothers are still very happy.

At the post-match press conference, Griffin even swelled up and directly mocked the talented basketball on the opposite side:

"There's nothing wrong with believing in the process, but I think the Sixers lack real talent."

"The playoffs will magnify the shortcomings of the players. We have found the weaknesses of the 76 team. The night after tomorrow, we will end the series!"

恩比德发挥得还算不错，26中10，拿到了22分19篮板2助攻1抢断1盖帽3失误的数据。

It's a pity that no one cares about the feelings of the losers. The sports media also followed suit and began to mock the 76ers for being stupid and rich.
In another Eastern Conference semifinal, the desperate Raptors also fought the Cavaliers to the end.

With 8 seconds left in the game, the two sides battled to 103:103. The Cavaliers served in the backcourt. James pushed the ball all the way, and made a running shot at the final buzzer!
The final buzz sounded, and the ball hit the basket. With James' superb performance, the Cavaliers got the match point and the score was 3:0. There was no suspense in the series.

出场41分钟，勒布朗-詹姆斯26中14，三分线外4中1，罚球11中9，高效砍下38分6篮板7助攻3抢断1盖帽4失误。

The lore at the last moment made the Quicken Loans Center arena completely boiled, and LeBron James even roared passionately. He knew that the Cavaliers were half standing on the floor of the Eastern Conference Finals.

On May 5, after the video session in the morning, everyone in the Trail Blazers was not in a good mood.

Although the chicken soup of the coaching staff is very thick, the players know in their hearts that it is impossible to finish after falling behind 0:3 and pulling 4 games in a row.

Lillard did not accept an interview on the grounds of adjusting his status, and then the empathetic America Sports Media began to output on social media:
"Damion Lillard is not willing to face failure, I think he has found an excuse to lose!"

Twitter makes it easier for big-mouthed football critics. As long as they find a reason, everyone can output a wave.

Li Ze does not refuse interviews, the Clippers have already won the match point, and there is no need to continue to be humble at this time.

"We want to end the series as soon as possible, and I just want to rest when I get back to Los Angeles."

"Adversary? Regardless of the Warriors or the Rockets, the Clippers will beat them. Don't forget that we are a 78-win team!"

Li Ze, who was wearing a training uniform, looked very confident, and the sports media around him just nodded, and everyone agreed with this point of view.

For the winner, the sports media is very tolerant. Perhaps in the past two years, everyone will discuss the quality of the championship, but as the Clippers have the opportunity to complete 6 consecutive championships, all voices of doubt have disappeared.

That night, Trail Blazers fans just felt like time had turned back. This scene was no different from last year, and the team still collapsed at halftime.
At 68:48, at the end of the half, the Clippers led by another 20 points.

The biggest problem for the Trail Blazers is that they can't defend. Jokic played against Nurkic with ease.

There is no need to attack the basket at all, and outside players headed by Li Ze can easily attack the basket through an off-ball screen after a simple pull.

Perhaps the rest time is too short, or it may be that the Trail Blazers, who are behind by a large score, also want to end the series as soon as possible, and the defensive intensity has dropped sharply tonight.

Without any resistance, at the end of the third quarter, the atmosphere group had already appeared.

"The Clippers once again showed their dominance. Compared to the Trail Blazers, they are indeed a better team."

"Falling in the Western Conference semifinals for two consecutive years, the Trail Blazers are already very good."

In the Rose Garden Arena, there was no sound again at this time. Mark Jackson briefly summed up the series, and he felt a little sympathetic to what happened to the Trail Blazers.

Over the years, the Clippers have not won in the playoffs.
"If the Warriors can protect the home court tonight, they also have a chance to end the series early."

"I think Steve Kerr definitely doesn't want to delay the game for too long. If he wants to win against the Clippers, he must show his best form!"

Jeff Van Gundy began to shift the topic to the Western Conference finals. Tonight's game was indeed a bit ugly.

Lillard, who was sitting on the bench at the end of the third quarter, looked very disappointed. He really wanted to touch the floor of the Western Conference Finals.

But Li Ze was lying in front of him like a big mountain. After two years, he was still at the foot of the mountain.

The role players of the Trail Blazers are also in a bad mood. Everyone knows that the team may make personnel adjustments during the offseason.

The window of time for each team to win the championship is not long. If you want to hit the championship, you have to seize the peak period of the core players. The Trail Blazers need to find more helpers for Lillard.

In the fourth quarter of the game, Josh Hart and Powell who came off the bench were completely crazy, and Siakam and Rooney were also actively fighting.

In the end, at 130:98, the Clippers swept the Trail Blazers 4:0 and reached the Western Conference Finals again!
Lillard failed to touch the floor of the Western Conference Finals again. After the game, he simply hugged and greeted, then turned his head and left, and went straight to the player channel.

McCollum has adjusted his mood, he is not the boss of the team, so naturally he does not need to take the blame:
"Facing the Clippers two years in a row, it really sucks."

Li Ze patted the opponent's shoulder with a smile. Regarding McCallum's words, he felt just the opposite. It was so comfortable to meet the Trail Blazers!

"You are still young, and the future belongs to young people. If you maintain this performance, you will definitely have a chance to be an All-Star in the future!"

Li Ze's encouragement revived McCallum's vitality. The Trail Blazers are indeed still young, and they still have to fight for the championship next season.

The noise in the Rose Garden is back again. The team's journey this season is over. Although the results are not satisfactory, the Western Conference semifinals are much better than going home early to fish.

Every Trail Blazers player who returned to the all-channel was enthusiastically cheered by the fans, regardless of the result, through the first round of the game, they have been satisfied this season!

In another Western Conference semifinal, the Warriors failed to protect their home court as they wished.

At 95:92, the Rockets won the game with difficulty, and the series reached 2:2. The battle of Tianwangshan will return to Houston!
The Warriors played well in the third quarter, surpassing the score at 3:17 in a single quarter.

Curry made 8 of 5 three-pointers in this quarter, and finally scored 17 points!
Warriors fans thought they could witness another victory at Oracle Arena, but in the fourth quarter, Curry and Durant pulled their hips at the same time.

单节8中1，库里怒砍3分，杜兰特单节5中1，怒砍6分.
At 25:12, with their outstanding performance in the last quarter, the Rockets finally won the game.

Most of the main lineups of the two sides played 41 minutes, the bearded player and Durant played 43 minutes, and Draymond Green even played 45 minutes!

This is completely a war of attrition, and Coach D'Antoni's tactics have been a great success!
On the morning of May 5, everyone in the Clippers had already flown back to Los Angeles, and the coaching staff immediately announced a one-day holiday, so they had plenty of time to prepare for the Western Conference Finals.

When Li Ze returned to his home in Beverly Hills, Chapman also came here after a while.

In the past few months, Mao Xiong Kaizi has met several people who want to buy the team, and they keep saying that they want to find a suitable successor for the team, but they are actually up for sale.

"Perhaps the new president gave many bosses the hope of making money. Prokhorov is not in a hurry."

"But the Nets are still losing money this year, and in the end he will choose to sell the team!"

Chapman's words made Li Ze helplessly complain:
"Believe me, no one cares about the Nets at all. Everyone is looking at the Barclays Center. This guy always wants to play a bundle."

Chapman, who touched his chin, nodded in agreement, and then said again:

"Kayce, the team's affairs can be put aside first, and an agreement must be reached in July at the earliest. Do you really not consider retiring from the tour?"

"I'm not yet 28 years old, only old men can retire and tour!"

Li Ze responded amusedly, but suddenly thought of Kobe who has been very active recently:

"I didn't expect the tainted milk "Detail" to appear"

In G4 of the Eastern Conference semifinals that night, the Cavaliers did not waste the opportunity. They beat the Raptors at home 93:128 and entered the Eastern Conference finals again!
Like the Trail Blazers, the Raptors' mentality collapsed in G4, and the pace of the game was extremely slow. They were 15 of 4 from beyond the three-point line and only shot 26.7% of their three-pointers.

The head coach of Casey is likely to dismiss get out of class, and LeBron James' throwing shot lore has the effect of shrimp and pig's heart.

詹姆斯本场比赛出场38分钟，拿到29分8篮板11助攻2抢断1盖帽2失误的数据。

In an interview after the game, James was in a good mood and started the mode of rhetoric after the game:

"I know no one thinks about us, but we still made it to the Eastern Conference Finals!"

"The journey of the Cavaliers has just begun, and we will launch a fierce impact on the championship!"

In the Quicken Loans Center arena, Cavaliers fans are still cheering. In their opinion, this year's LeBron James is simply a god.

After completing the interview, James walked to the player channel, raised his hands and applauded continuously. He enjoyed the victory at this moment very much, and made up his mind secretly:
"No one can stop me from reaching the finals again. Even if I lose, I will lose on the stage of the finals."

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(End of this chapter)