The best teammates in the NBA

Chapter 463 Becoming the Other Party (7000-word chapter)
On the morning of May 5th, the Warriors finally ended their road trip. Although they fell behind by 17:0, the series is not over yet. The next thing they have to do is to protect the home court.

Steve Kerr has been sullen since the loss last night. The situation is not optimistic, and G3 has turned into a life-and-death battle again, which reminds him of last year's Western Conference Finals.

The coaching staff watched the video of the game overnight, trying to find out the weaknesses of the Clippers. When they got on the plane, the videographer was still working with a laptop, and the next game could not be lost.

Assistant coach Mike Brown originally planned to suggest to Steve Kerr to reduce Durant's singles, but after watching the video carefully, he swallowed this suggestion.

库里表现得中规中矩，15中8，拿到了18分4篮板6助攻2失误。

Except for 5 of 1 from outside the three-point line, Curry's performance is actually very good.

After a high pick-and-roll, he hit two long points, got rid of Li Ze's pursuit and broke into the basket and scored. This did cost the Clippers' defense, but unfortunately, Curry was frequently targeted on the defensive end.

Mike Brown watched the Clippers' partial 3-on-3 on video, and recalled the situation of last night's game.

Paul George and Harris always like to find Curry to make a fuss about it. Even if their shooting percentage is not high, the consumption on the defensive end will naturally affect Curry's offense.

The significant change of the Clippers in the past two years is that Li Ze no longer marks the forward players, which makes the pressure on the defensive end less and the offensive end more efficient.

"We should still insist on double-teaming and let the Clippers handle the ball with role players. This is the best way."

Mike Brown's reminder didn't make Steve Kerr too emotional, and he still frowned.

The Warriors on the other side of the plane were silent, and Steve Kerr finally responded in a low voice:

"20 shots in a game, and the Clippers' offensive rounds are 89 times. This is the scariest part. We can't limit him."

Li Ze doesn't take many shots, which means that role players have more opportunities, and it also means that everyone in the Clippers' offense is highly involved.

"It's really unbelievable. Over 8% of the shots and 50 points are not in line with the laws of basketball!"

Mike Brown didn't say anything more, just sighed in a low voice.

The coaching staff of the Warriors never asked the players to be able to guard Li Ze, but at the moment they can't even consume it, which is outrageous!
Several other assistant coaches felt a little hopeless after watching the video.

Curry played well, Clay also got rid of the downturn, Durant attacked online, and the team scored 110+. In this situation, it is still impossible to win. G3 may only pray to God.

There are more than three days between G2 and G3, and the Warriors can relieve physical fatigue and make adjustments.

The Clippers coaching staff did not relax either. They had an absolute advantage in these two games and were able to win easily thanks to their regular season results.

However, compared to the Warriors, the Clippers don't need to make too many adjustments. As long as Li Ze maintains an efficient offense, even if Paul George turns into a ghost pepper, there won't be too many problems.

18中7，三分线外6中2，罚球5中4，20分6篮板3助攻2抢断2失误。

In the G2 game, Paul George did not fully return to normal until the third quarter.

Although the score is not much, as long as Li Ze's score is added, the two can score 70 points together, and the average is 35 points each, which is still the level of the league's top duo.
At the end of the morning training session, in an interview with Fox Sports, although Paul George played mediocre in the game, he was still swollen to the sky.

"Paul! You will fly to Oakland next. What is the team's expectation for the G3 game?"

Fox Sports, as the broadcaster of the Clippers, has won a lot of money in the past few years, so it usually does not dig holes for the players during interviews.

In the regular season, most of the updated news is based on the team atmosphere and team activities. In the playoffs, it is basically a one-sided blow.

Wearing a training uniform, Paul George gave his teammates high fives and replied confidently:
"We will win the game and end the suspense of the series!"

"You know, 78 wins, we will show our dominance again! No matter how the opponent adjusts, we will play in our own way."

Such a confident answer left the reporter of Fox Sports speechless. This is really not humble at all, and he jumped into it without digging a hole
Fortunately, in the following interview, as long as the issue of victory and defeat is not mentioned, Paul George returned to his normal state.

Amerika's sports media likes to interview players here at the Intuit Dome, and after finishing their routine work, they can also have a meal.

However, players have their own exclusive restaurants, and reporters usually can only eat with the team's operations staff.

Seeing Li Ze wearing a training uniform and communicating with the assistant coach, the cute TNT reporter beside him couldn't help sighing in a low voice:

"Kayce has completely subverted basketball, but I think this year he has rarely played off the court in training sessions, and the number of tactical co-workouts has not been much."

The reporter of Fox Sports was deeply touched by this. In many cases, Li Ze is like an assistant coach. At the end of the season, the number of joint training is indeed gradually decreasing:
"His understanding of basketball has surpassed all players in the league. It is hard to imagine that he is not yet 28 years old. If there is no injury, Kayce will continue to win!"

The ESPN reporter whispered his recent gossip:

"Maybe Kayce will choose to leave basketball. It is said that he intends to buy the shares of the Nets."

Seeing everyone looking at him, the ESPN reporter shrugged:

"The news was released by colleagues in New York. Don't forget the comment from Sports Illustrated back then, "It's not just basketball." Kayce is really rich."

The surrounding sports media began to whisper about it, and only then did everyone realize that Big Machine Records had indeed made a lot of money over the years.

Several people from Fox Sports looked at each other in blank dismay. Without Li Ze, the Clippers' traffic would drop by half. Everyone's first thought was:
"Thighs can't walk!."

On the morning of May 5, the official INS of the Clippers updated the boarding photos of the players.

After two days of rest, the team flew to Oakland. Tomorrow night, G3 of the Western Conference Finals will officially start.

That night, the Cavaliers, who returned to Cleveland to rest for more than three days, also ushered in their own life-and-death battle.

Losing G3, the series will have no more suspense.

In such a critical game, the Celtics in the away game directly stretched their hips in the first quarter.

At 17:32, at the end of the first quarter, the Cavaliers had led by 1 points.

LeBron James shot from inside and outside, and George Hill also broke out completely. The two scored 23 points together to help the Cavaliers win the game.

The Celtics were suppressed all the way. In the end, at 90:116, the Cavaliers returned to the home court to beat their opponents, and the series came to a score of 1:2.

I thought I could win the game in one go, but instead the Cavaliers took advantage of it from outside the three-point line. The Celtics fans were not in a good mood.

22 of 6 from outside the three-point line, 27.3% of the three-pointers, really stupefied many critics who are optimistic about the Celtics.
这场比赛勒布-朗詹姆斯只出场了38分钟，12中8，三分线外3中3，罚球10中8，高效砍下27分5篮板12助攻2抢断2盖帽3失误。

Such an efficient performance made the fools change their tone and began to support the Cavaliers to come back against the wind.

After winning the game, James appeared to be very low-key. This year's team's fault tolerance rate is not high, and there is no room for loss in the two home games:

"We can do better, Kyle did a great job from beyond the arc tonight!"

"When we keep hitting three-pointers, we will win the game, G4, and the team will continue this strategy."

The Cavaliers made 34 of 17 from outside the three-point line tonight, shooting 50% of their three-pointers!
LeBron James has already shown his card. He just wants to break through and score. This year's Cavaliers' offense is all about shooting.

The head coach Tyronn Lue managed the whole process, but the effect was very good. Give the ball to James. This tactic has been tried and tested in this round of the series.
The Cavaliers moved back to a city, and the Warriors are full of chicken soup these days. Steve Kerr doesn't have many cards to play at this time, and he only hopes that the players can enter the explosive state.

On the night of the 20th, Warriors fans entered the arena early.

Although it has fallen in the Western Conference Finals for several consecutive years, most fans are very satisfied with the results of the home team.

Being able to reach the conference finals is considered a success. Of course, there are still many fans who expect the Warriors to go further.

The team has already achieved a record of 73 wins. After the core trio made it to the All-Stars, the team airborne Durant again. Last season was considered a run-in lineup, and it's time for results this year!

Tickets for the regional finals are not cheap, but enthusiastic fans are still willing to come to watch the game. Everyone has a high degree of participation. After entering the stadium, they put on the golden cheering T-shirts on the seats, and the noise is getting louder and louder.

The DJ on the scene was also working hard to mobilize the atmosphere. As the lights on the scene dimmed, he began to introduce the players of the visiting team to the field in a low tone.

When Li Ze's name was called out, there was a huge booing in the Oracle Arena.

Li Ze stood up from the bench, made fancy gestures with his teammates with a smile, and then put his hands behind his back, waiting for the Warriors players to enter the field.

"In Oakland, Kayce is probably the most unpopular player at this point. It reminds me of the fans in Miami. Every time he plays away, Kayce gets booed!"

Reggie Miller laughed and teased Li Ze's treatment.

Not only in these two places, fans in San Antonio and Portland also booed Li Ze wildly. Over the years, these teams have been severely persecuted
"Although it is a home game, the pressure on the Warriors is even greater. This is a game that cannot be lost!"

Chris Webber looked relaxed, and he only said half of what he said. If he loses again, Steve Kerr will most likely dismiss get out of class.

After accumulating star players, failing to achieve the expected goals, we can only start with the head coach. If it is not enough, then the core players will also change.

The Warriors players came out, and the Oracle Arena was full of cheers. No matter what the result of the game, the momentum cannot be lost.

As Stephen Curry made his final appearance, the Warriors gathered in a circle, screaming and trying to fully activate their physical state.

As the lights come on and the players on both sides perform the final warm-up before the game, Draymond Green has been actively speaking out again in the past few days.

"I will do a good job of defense! The rebounds are handed over to me, we must win the game tonight!"

Draymond Green didn't wait for the coaching staff to ask, and took the initiative to take responsibility.

Although the others didn't make a sound, their resolute eyes also showed that everyone was ready.

After the game started, the noise in the Oracle Arena became louder and louder.

Steve Kerr didn't sit down after the game started, and he didn't care whether the players on the court could hear him shouting or not, and devoted himself to the game.

Stephen Curry hit a three-pointer on the Warriors' first offense after the opening, which completely ignited the atmosphere of the scene.

In the first few rounds, the Warriors showed high offensive efficiency, scoring 7 points in a row after the opening.

In this attack, after Curry handed over the ball after halftime, he ran actively without the ball again, cut in the middle, and first ran to the bottom corner with the help of Iguodala's lower screen on the right near the bottom line.

Realizing that he couldn't get rid of Li Ze's defense, Clay on the right flank once again covered Curry. After the two crossed, one ran to the bottom corner and the other ran to the right flank.

Green immediately sent a pass, Curry received the ball on the right wing, faced Jaylen Brown who came up from the defense, feinted and then broke through with the ball in his right hand.

Just after dribbling over the three-point line, he immediately pulled back with a cross step, and then dribbled the ball behind his back twice in a row. After shaking, he switched to his left hand and took a step back.

Jaylen Pollan was completely shaken away, Curry immediately joined the ball from beyond the three-point line, and then threw the ball!

"Bang!" Angrily strike!
The long rebound popped up, and Li Ze, who retracted in time, accurately predicted the ball's landing point and immediately protected the backcourt rebound.

Clay went up to no avail, and then immediately retreated. There were sighs of regret in the Oracle Arena, and Warriors fans were looking forward to Curry's response from beyond the three-point line.

Compared with the previous two games, the Warriors added an off-ball screen to Curry, the main purpose of which was to switch Jaylen Brown in front of Curry.

In terms of defensive experience, newcomer Jaylen Brown is indeed the weakest part of the Clippers' perimeter defense.

Li Ze was not in a hurry to launch a conversion attack, and the Warriors retreated faster tonight.

After three days of rest, the opponent's body has recovered to its best condition. Facing such a team with excellent defensive discipline, the most important thing is not to make mistakes.

Throwing the ball to Jokic casually, Li Ze waved his hand and then made a tactical gesture, and then quickly ran forward.

After receiving the pass, Jokic quickly dribbled across the half court. At this time, the Warriors on the field were a little confused.

This is completely different from what they expected before the game. After being double-teamed, Li Ze rarely held the ball.

"Defense! Defense! Defense!"

Warriors fans don't care about changes in the situation on the court. Everyone just hopes to be able to defend this round, and everyone follows the DJ and shouts loudly.

Jokic came to the top of the arc and immediately turned sideways to protect the ball. Paul George on the right wing immediately stepped forward to complete the hand-off.

Green was extremely active defensively tonight, and immediately switched to Paul George, lowering his center of gravity while constantly interfering.

Jokic immediately went down, and Iguodala hurriedly followed up, and the two pulled and went straight to the low post on the left.

Paul George didn't stick to the ball either. Seeing Jokic get stuck, he immediately sent a lob pass.

After Jokic received the ball, Iguodala struggled to defend and cut the ball. Faced with such a defense, the fat man did not drop the ball easily, but raised the ball to observe the situation on the field.

Li Ze, who had been on the left flank, suddenly started at this time. Paul George ran over after completing the pass and made a screen, which made Green switch defenses again.

Li Ze, who moved laterally, paused slightly when he came to the top of the arc, and then suddenly cut in without the ball in the middle.

Green cursed secretly and followed the slide again. At this time, Jokic, who was in the low position on the left, suddenly sent a ground pass, and the ball just came in front of Li Ze who cut in.

The right hand took advantage of the situation to catch the ball, and after stepping forward, Li Ze took off directly, using his body to push away Green who was chasing and blocking the block, and quickly threw the ball to the backboard!
"Boom!"

The high hit plate hit the frame, and the Oracle Arena erupted with huge boos again.

Li Ze, who scored the goal, patted Jokic, indicating that the ball was passed well. Not every big man can pass this kind of pass that is on the verge of a mistake.

8:7, with the Warriors having a good start, the Clippers are still solid +2.

"The Warriors played more simply, which reminds me of the Clippers a few years ago, when Griffin was injured, and Paul and Kayce beat the Warriors with their individual abilities."

Reggie Miller looked a little strange after watching the first few rounds. The roles of the two sides were reversed, and the Clippers played team basketball at this time.
Of course, Chris Webber understood the meaning of his partner. Watching the Clippers move the ball, pick-and-roll and off-ball seamless play, he immediately joked:

"The coaching staff of the Clippers referred to the Warriors' tactics. I have to say that having a big man who can pass the ball really makes the offense easier."

The Warriors, who were in a life-and-death battle, didn't think too much, and Li Ze's Klay and Iguodala, who were in charge of marking, only felt their heads were too big.

Every time the Clippers attack, Li Ze will inevitably hand over the ball in advance, and then run without the ball to stretch the offensive space on the court.

The defensive end was difficult, but on the offensive end, Curry and Durant attacked more resolutely.

After the opening, the two felt good, taking all the team's points, but as the game progressed, Durant also started to hit the iron.

This time, the step-by-step breakthrough from the elbow area on the right side of the free throw line hit the back edge of the basket again. Durant clapped his hands angrily, and hurriedly retreated.

After Harris protected the backboard and gave the ball to Li Ze, the Clippers suddenly accelerated their offensive rhythm.

Li Zeyun, who was holding the ball in his left hand, immediately accelerated after halftime, and Clay hurried up to defend and made a delayed defense.

The Warriors had just completed their defensive positions at this time, and Li Ze, who was on the move, immediately dribbled the ball under his crotch without waiting to get close to the three-point line.

After switching to the right hand, he suddenly dribbles the ball behind his back quickly, and after catching the ball with the left hand, he takes advantage of the situation to complete a large retreat.

With the huge stride bonus, Li Ze has come to the left flank after shaking.

Clay completely lost his defensive position and could only defend from his side, and finally watched Li Ze easily make a jumper.

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

The sudden three-pointer made Oracle Arena quiet for a moment, followed by boos again.

Steve Kerr noticed that several Clippers players were still in the half court at this time. This sudden choice saw the corner of his mouth twitch, and he couldn't help sighing in his heart:

"Unreasonable offense"

Green yelled at everyone on the field while serving from the baseline, and then clapped continuously to remind his teammates to cheer up.

After Curry and Durant missed the mark, Iguodala stood up in time and was emptied outside the three-point line. After receiving the ball from the left corner, the veteran simply broke through with the ball in his right hand.

After walking on the line, he quickly turned around before approaching the paint area, and finally came to the bottom left of the basket against Harris' defense, twisting his body and sending the ball into the basket.

The cheers reappeared in the Oracle Arena, but it didn't take long for the Clippers to respond.

Paul George once again received a hand-off pass from Jokic, quickly changed direction with the ball in his left hand, then crossed back and pulled back, stepped back at the top of the arc, and against Green's defense, he made a strong three-pointer!

A few unreasonable offenses made the Warriors fans feel cold. The Clippers shot very well tonight.
When Durant rushed to the free throw line and made two free throws, at 18:15, there were 1 minutes and 6 seconds left in the first quarter, and the game reached the official timeout.

Steve Kerr threw the tactical board aside again, and the Clippers also made a three-pointer. At this time, they have to work hard!

The clamor at Oracle Arena made it difficult for the Warriors to hear the head coach, and Steve Kerr tried to raise the volume:

"We played well! This is the rhythm of the game we want to play, keep it up, OK?"

"Keep shooting, this is our home court, believe in your shooting touch!"

Steve Kerr looked around the starting lineup, and in the end he didn't perform a rotation. He just patted Curry on the shoulder before going on the field.

In the second half of the game, Curry did not regain his touch, and continued to hit the iron outside the three-point line, and there would be sighs in the Oracle Arena after a while.

Warriors fans are dying to see Curry hit a shot.
Iguodala's continuous breakthroughs helped the Warriors barely bite the score, and the core players fell into a scoring shortage, which made the mood of the fans on the scene go up and down like a roller coaster.

After passing the ball continuously, Durant suddenly shot a cold arrow on the right flank, making a strong three-pointer and hitting the iron again.

Jokic received the rebound and immediately threw the ball to Li Ze, who was accelerating along the right sideline, and suddenly accelerated again. The Warriors, who had suffered a lot, actively retreated at this time.

Players from both sides quickly crossed the half court and came to the right flank. Li Ze dribbled the ball behind his back, switched to his left hand, then dribbled the ball laterally, accelerated and used the double screens of Jokic and Harris to get rid of the defense.

Durant immediately switched defenses in front of Li Ze, approached the left flank, suddenly lowered his body's center of gravity, and Li Ze, who was holding the ball in his left hand, directly accelerated and cut in.

Durant continuously slid back to the right, and Li Ze, who was walking, suddenly pulled back under his crotch, switched to his right hand after a slight pause, and continued to sink his shoulders to accelerate the breakthrough.

Losing half of his position, Durant tried to slide to defend again, but Li Ze rushed into the paint.

After only two dribbles, Li Ze, who was holding the ball in his right hand, suddenly jumped up. Although Durant was struggling to block the shot, he was still half a beat behind.

Li Ze grabbed the ball with one hand with his right hand, ignored Durant's defense, and slammed the ball into the basket!

"squeak!"

"Boom!" Break through the buckle successfully!
"shush"

Seeing that Durant almost rushed to the street after landing, there were scattered boos in the Oracle Arena.

From the breakthrough to the dunk, Li Ze completed it very beautifully. The combination of speed and strength even gave this dunk a sense of beauty.

Durant straightened up and saw Li Ze walking to the free throw line with a long face. He understood why Clay and Iguodala's defense was as good as paper, and their physical fitness was crushed.
After Li Zejia made a free throw, at 23:19, the point difference still did not shrink.

As the game progressed, the atmosphere in the Oracle Arena became more and more dull. It was not until Draymond Green hit an open three-pointer from the top of the arc that the Warriors fans regained their vitality.

"what!!"

Green, who hit the three-pointer, looked very excited, roaring and beating his chest.

At 27:24, after Jokic's throw, Green also gave his own response.

At the end of the first quarter, Green broke out suddenly, rushing to the basket and causing Jokic's second foul.

Seeing that the rest was about to end, Jokic raised his hands and defended innocently when the referee blew his whistle:
"My arm didn't go down at all! I didn't even touch him!"

The Oracle Arena was full of applause, and the Warriors fans could not wait for the Clippers' main lineup to leave the field early with 6 fouls.

Coach De Nagro frowned, but seeing that the first quarter was coming to an end, he finally didn't justify, but replaced Kevin Rooney with a wave of his hand.

The two sides entered a state of additional penalties, Durant, Li Ze, Iguodala, and Harris took turns to make free throws.

At the end of the first quarter, the Warriors fans breathed a sigh of relief, 34:31, the point difference was within the catchable range.

The commentator Kevin Harlan glanced at the technical statistics, and he always felt that the Warriors were about to collapse at any time:

"Durant scored 6 of 2 and scored 8 points with free throws. Curry scored 7 of 2 and scored 5 points. There is a problem with the offensive state of the core players!"

"Fortunately, the Warriors finally persevered. The 3-point difference is negligible."

Reggie Miller also felt that the performance of the two was a bit stretched, and it was a life-and-death battle, which is not good news:

“Kayce首节比赛6中5，三分线外2中1，罚球3中3，拿到14分2篮板1助攻。”

"Although the number of assists is very small, the Clippers' offense has not been affected much. Compared with the Warriors, their performance is better."

Chris Webber noticed the Clippers fouls, Jokic made two and Harris made two:

"It's really a good choice to hit the inside. At least the Clippers have encountered some foul troubles. Of course, with their bench depth, maybe this is not a big problem."

When the three were discussing, Steve Kerr unexpectedly increased the rotation.

In the rotation stage, the trio of Curry, Clay, and Green are all there, plus Nick Young and Jordan Bell. Obviously, at this stage, the Warriors intend to use the pass and cut system.

The assistant coach of the Clippers saw that Curry continued to play, the coaching staff also adjusted in time, and Li Ze followed suit.

At the same time, Eric Gordon, Paul George, Siakam, and Kevon Rooney were also taken.

Three things that can be thrown are matched with two things that can be grabbed. Contrary to the tactics of the Warriors, the Clippers have returned to singles shooting and grabbing.

At the beginning of the second quarter, the Warriors' smooth offense seemed to be back!

After playing for 2 minutes, as Clay made a strong three-pointer from the right wing, the score came to 39:39.

A large number of off-ball screens, fast off-ball running, and the cheers erupting from the Oracle Arena made Green couldn't help throwing his fists and roaring. At the same time, a thought emerged in his mind:
"Without Durant, our offense doesn't seem to be bad?"

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　　Dongzi's 618 is not working this year. I wanted to change the keyboard.

　　As a result, not only did the price drop, but it was out of stock.
　　
　
(End of this chapter)