warrior godfather

Chapter 435 Decisive Battle Moment
During the intermission, the atmosphere in the Heat's locker room was a bit dull. The Heat only led by 4 points, and it was no different from not leading. The game was very anxious, and the outcome was not yet known.

And the few free throws made by Butler at the beginning of the second quarter also let the Heat players clearly understand the Warriors' home court advantage. They took advantage of the first three games, and now they have to pay them back. No one knows what the referee will do in the second half. But when they think of the blatant attitude of the Heat's home referee in G3, they will inevitably feel flustered.

This is what they think too much. David Stern's appeal is that the finals should be as intense as possible, and the ratings should be as high as possible. He will give the Warriors a home court advantage, but he will never be biased towards the Warriors like he was towards the Heat before. If the Warriors have the upper hand in the second half, the referee may even stop favoring the Warriors and give the Heat a fair chance to fight.

In the NBA, the strong will not receive any preferential treatment. The stronger the team, the lower the draft pick, the more luxury taxes it pays, and the smaller the home court advantage.

Supporting the weak and suppressing the strong is David Stern's core philosophy in managing the NBA. This will never change. The more intense the competition, the better the game.

Spoelstra thought about it, too, but the thought only passed in his mind before he turned his attention to other areas.

The Warriors team scored 6 three-pointers in the first quarter, and the second quarter did not give up much, scoring 5 three-pointers, including Curry's buzzer three-pointer, which was his only score in the second quarter.

In addition, Clay scored 2 three-pointers, Butler scored 1 three-pointer, and Yi Jianlian scored 1 three-pointer. More points bloomed, which made the Heat's perimeter defense exhausted.

But the good news is that Green's touch has declined, and he made 3 of 0 three-pointers in the second quarter. This is also the main reason why the Heat can expand their lead to 7 points. The lead will be even bigger, but it was this goal that profoundly affected the situation of the game.

If the Heat lead by 7 points, and the Warriors will work hard for two goals in the second half, and score a little bit, the point difference will expand to more than double digits, occupying a huge advantage.

But 4 points is just a gap that can be easily erased, and it is nothing to the Warriors who are good at shooting three-pointers. What the Heat have to consider in the second half is not how to expand the point difference, but to maintain this weak lead.

Take all precautions, but let Curry catch the loophole, it seems that the strength of the double-teaming is still not enough...

Spoelstra felt quite heavy in his heart, looked solemnly, and said:

"In the second half, increase the intensity of flanking Curry, and we must not let him have another chance to shoot a three-pointer!!"

……

The 15 minutes of the intermission passed quickly, and the two teams walked out of the quiet locker room and returned to the noisy court.

No one will miss the finals. The audience who went shopping and eating returned to their seats early, waiting for the second half to start.

David Stern was also present. He was sitting in a VIP box, gazing intently at the court below, and beside him was Adam Silver, the vice president of the league.

It stands to reason that Xiao Hua should stay at the league's headquarters in New York to handle the affairs he is responsible for, but David Stern asked him to watch this G6 together this time, and Xiao Hua could only follow.

David Stern watched the players from both sides walk onto the court, and suddenly said:
"I don't know if this trophy can be awarded today..."

Xiao Hua was taken aback for a moment, then understood David Stern's meaning, thought it over, and said:

"I can't see it now. If you want, you can actually save it for the next game."

David Stern paused for a moment, turned his head and glanced at Xiao Hua, Xiao Hua's gaze moved down slightly:

"The finals between the Warriors and the Heat have attracted a lot of attention. Whether it is in the United States or across the Pacific Ocean, the number of viewers has risen wildly as the series progresses. If there is a tiebreaker..."

His voice gradually lowered, David Stern didn't speak, and the box fell into silence.

After a while, David Stern said softly:

"I'm old, and I don't want to make major changes when I'm about to retire. You can deny the home field advantage, but you can't give the away field advantage either. If you want to make changes, wait until you become the president. But you have to remember, don’t overdo it, and maintain a balance between business and competition...Of course, my balance may not be suitable for you, but it must not be without balance.”

A gleam of joy flashed in Xiao Hua's eyes, and said:

"I understand."

……

Under the gaze of two generations of NBA presidents, the third quarter began.

The Heat attacked, and Wade singled out Clay. After more than ten minutes of rest in halftime, he recovered from the exhausted energy in the first half.

In G1 of the finals, he could last for three and a half quarters, and when he hit G6, it would be good if he could last for three quarters.

Clay defends the right and puts the left. Wade breaks through from the left and misses a jumper. The rebound is protected by Chandler and passed to Curry.

The Warriors took the opportunity to counterattack, but the Heat quickly returned to defense after Wade's shot. They didn't even think about fighting for offensive rebounds, and the Warriors could only fall.

Curry tried to play a pick-and-roll with Chandler. Bosh directly flanked Curry. Chandler turned and went down. Curry hit the ball to the inside. James, who shrunk to the basket, interfered and missed a layup.

Zhang Yu on the sidelines couldn't help shaking his head. Chandler's pie-eating ability is top-notch, but he can't put the ball into the basket through people, and his ability to finish close to the frame is very poor. The pie must be fed to his mouth. Row.

Looking back, James and Bosh played a pick-and-roll, broke through to the inside of the Warriors, and forced a layup, but was also interfered by Chandler.

The Warriors attacked, Curry singled Chalmers, encountered James' pincers, and gave the ball to Green. Green caught the ball and made a three-pointer. Wade made an alley-oop dunk, 64:58.

"Bang! The cooperation between Wade and James is beautiful. This is the fourth consecutive three-pointer for Green to miss. His touch is very poor." Mike Breen said.

Green's condition is really bad.

In the next round, Curry was flanked, and Wade, who was facing Clay, came up to flank him. Curry was about to pass the ball, and James directly took turns in front of Clay, leaving Green empty. Curry could only pass the ball to Green.

Green hesitated for a moment, and instead of shooting a three-pointer, he dribbled a mid-range jumper with two steps, and the basketball bounced out of the frame.

Zhang Yu could see clearly from the sidelines that Green was already panicking. He decisively called a timeout, replaced Green and replaced Leonard.

Seeing Zhang Yu's substitution, Jeff Van Gundy smiled and said:
"Coach Z made the right decision. Green's touch has declined. He is on the court. The Warriors are four-on-five. Leonard is a more reliable shooter than him. He can make a spot-up three-pointer after Curry is flanked. "

After the timeout ended, the two teams returned to the field. Green sat in his seat, wiped the sweat off his face with a towel, and looked at the field silently, looking a little confused.

Zhang Yu walked to his side and said with a smile:
"Not reconciled?"

"No, it's because I didn't take advantage of open opportunities. Kawhi is a better three-pointer than me. He should play." Green shook his head, but his voice was a little low.

"Do you think that I am too strong to let you shoot three-pointers?"

Green's body shook, he wiped his head vigorously twice, and then said:
"No, but I have been practicing three-pointers for two years, but I still haven't practiced it. I think I may not be talented in shooting..."

"Actually, you have already practiced it. Otherwise, where did you get the reputation of being a space-type four? Last game, you also shot a good three-pointer. Fluctuations in your hand feel are normal. Just go back and practice hard. Don't think about it." Many, when you are needed to play, you can't hold back!" Zhang Yu patted Green on the shoulder.

Green nodded heavily, picked up the energy drink, took a sip, and suppressed all the emotions in his heart.

……

On the court, the Warriors attacked, and Curry singled Chalmers with the ball.

Now every round is very important and affects the ownership of the championship. Zhang Yu made it very clear during the timeout. In order to ensure the success rate, every ball must be handed over to Curry. Curry has unlimited firepower .

The Heat started to play like this from the second quarter. James and Wade took turns to play, so Bosh had the opportunity to attack two with the ball, and everyone else had to open up space.

As soon as Curry put on a singles stance, Wade's flanking attack immediately came up. James filled in front of Clay and emptied Leonard.

Curry immediately passed the ball, and Leonard did not hesitate to catch the ball and shoot a three-pointer.

On the sidelines, Spoelstra stared closely at Leonard and was relieved to see him miss a three-pointer.

Looking back, Wade singles Clay with the ball, forced a breakthrough on the right, was flanked by Curry, and passed the ball to Chalmers in the bottom corner. Chalmers made a three-pointer and the rebound was grabbed by Leonard. .

The Warriors immediately launched a counterattack. Curry received a pass from Leonard and rushed to the front court like lightning. He even passed Chalmers and Battier, attracted the Heat's help defense, and passed the ball to Clay, who followed up on the left wing. .

After catching the ball, Clay did not hesitate and threw a three-pointer without adjusting the rhythm. The basketball went into the net, 64:61.

"Bang! Klay hit a three-pointer from behind and the Warriors made a three-pointer. This is Clay's fifth three-pointer in this game!" Mike Breen yelled.

Mark Jackson sighed:

"The Warriors shoot a lot of three-pointers, and the speed of chasing points is too fast, especially this kind of three-pointers in the transition attack, which is impossible to guard against. It is too bold for Klay to shoot such three-pointers in the finals. !"

Jeff Van Gundy shook his head repeatedly and said:

"To be honest, I don't like this kind of offense that shoots a lot of three balls. It's too unstable, but the Heat are too afraid of Curry. He attracts almost all of the Heat's defense. Others always get open. The three-point shooting rate is very high, the effect is very good, maybe Spoelstra should change the way of defense, he should not give the opponent so many open shots in the finals, this is unforgivable!"

As an old-school coach, Jeff Van Gundy can't understand the Warriors shooting so many three-pointers, and he can't understand Spoelstra's mindless double-teaming of Curry on the three-point line.

In his opinion, this is the wrong way to play, and this may be the reason why he has been a commentator for the past five years and has not coached the team.

On the court, the Heat attacked, James asked for the ball in the low post, and played Leonard with his back. Clay directly came up to flank and emptied Wade. James gave the ball to Wade. The shot was made, the basketball bounced out of the frame and was snatched by Chandler.

Wade's three-pointers in the finals were very strong, only 28.6%. Clay often shrinks the defense to test Wade's open shots, but he often cannot punish the Warriors' defense.

However, Wade also has self-knowledge. He will not shoot many three-pointers. Most of the time, he will catch the ball and initiate a breakthrough, disrupting the Warriors' defense for the second time and creating scoring opportunities.

Warriors attack, Curry singles Chalmers with the ball, Wade empties Clay for a flank attack, James fills in front of Clay, Curry points to Leonard who was emptied, Leonard catches the ball and shoots, the shot is very Resolutely, the basketball went into the net hollow, 64:64, the Warriors equalized the score.

Spoelstra saw Leonard hit a three-pointer from the sidelines, and his heart hung up again.

When the Heat flanked Curry, Leonard was the main one to short. If his three-pointers were accurate enough, the Heat would have to step up their defense against Leonard, Klay and Butler would get a chance, and the Warriors' offense would be revitalized.

Spoelstra is also very helpless. He knows the data of every player in the Warriors. Leonard only has two three-pointers from the corners that are accurate enough, and his three-pointers on the two wings and the top of the arc are less than 30%. , and Zhang Yu let Leonard stay in the bottom corner, Butler did the same, and Clay stayed in the 45-degree corner.

The best way for the Heat to double-team Curry who is playing singles near the top of the arc is to let Wade, who is facing Clay, double-team. A chance to get an open three-pointer.

And Curry's pass is good enough to span most of the court and directly find Leonard in the bottom corner. The ball is faster than people, and the Heat can't rotate in time, and Leonard will make a three-pointer.

In the next 5 minutes, this scene was repeated. Leonard made 8 of 4 three-pointers and scored 12 points. He played the main role and the Warriors also successfully overtook the score.

The Heat's defense was weak, and they could only rely on offense to deal with the Warriors. Wade made great efforts in the third quarter. He gradually recovered the feeling of scoring and organizing. He broke through many times and assisted Battier and Chalmers. And Bosh scored.

第三节打到3分12秒时，热火以77:82落后勇士5分，勇士在8分钟的时间里打出了一个24:15，净胜热火9分。

Spoelstra saw that the game had turned into a blunt knife, and he didn't dare to let Leonard go short. He immediately handed over the timeout and made adjustments. He still had to pinch Curry, but he could let Clay and Butler take shots appropriately. Leonard can no longer keep shooting threes.

This is undoubtedly a rush to the doctor. Spoelstra only saw Leonard's open three-pointer in the bottom corner, but ignored Clay's shooting and Butler's ability to hold the ball are stronger than Leonard. Giving them a chance will pay a higher price.

For the rest of the third quarter, Clay and Butler supported the Warriors' offense. Clay scored 2 three-pointers, Butler broke through after receiving a pass from Curry, made a layup, and made a standing free throw. Line, teamed up to score 10 points, beat the Heat 10:7, the score became 92:84, and the Warriors extended their lead to 8 points.

Curry played relatively easily, and the Heat paid great attention to his double-teaming. He dribbled the ball twice, and the double-team would come up, and then Curry would pass the ball out, which did not consume much energy.

In the finals, 8 points is already a lot of points, especially with one quarter left in the game.

When the Heat players left the court, everyone looked dignified. Although the Warriors players were not smiling, they looked excited. The cheers in the Oracle Center continued. The Warriors fans in the auditorium waved their hands and shouted. Waves rose in the ocean, surging in all directions.

After the break, Jeff Van Gundy said:
"The Heat must change their defense. They can no longer give the Warriors so many open opportunities. Clay, Butler and Leonard are all very good shooters. They made mistakes in the last game, but they won't be today. If The Heat continued to empty them in the fourth quarter, and they will definitely make the Heat pay a heavy price."

Mark Jackson nodded and said:

"That's right, the Warriors players feel very good. Spoelstra can't gamble anymore. He can't pinch Curry again. His singles efficiency is definitely not as high as the Warriors' open three-pointers. The Heat still have a comeback opportunity, the premise is to change this defensive style."

On the Heat's bench, Spoelstra did not hear the conversation between the two, but he also faced this choice, because James said to him bluntly after he came off the court:
"Eric, we can't go on like this! That baby-faced three-point shot is good, but the rest of the Warriors are also good three-pointers. We can't give them so many open shots!"

Wade also chimed in:
"Eric, it won't work like this. This is the Warriors' home court. They will become more and more confident in their shots. We can't give them another chance!"

Bosh did not speak, but he also looked up at Spoelstra, meaning very obvious.

Spoelstra thought about it, nodded immediately and said:

"Okay, in this case, Mario, you come to defend Curry..."

"Let me do it!" Wade interrupted.

Spoelstra turned to look at Wade, hesitated for a moment, and didn't answer right away.

After three quarters, Wade's physical energy was exhausted, his jersey was soaked in sweat, and his fatigue was already on his face. Spoelstra worried that he would not be able to guard Curry like G1.

At this time, James spoke:

"Leave Curry to me!"

Everyone looked at James in unison, Spoelstra thought for a while and said:

"Okay, LeBron will face Curry later, Mario, if Leonard is still on the court, you go to defend him, he has no ability to attack independently, if the Warriors replace Green, then you still have to defend Curry, LeBron against Green, continue to pinch Curry!"

……

In the tense atmosphere of the finals, just a few minutes of the quarter passed, and the two teams returned to the field.

The Heat were led by Bosh and James, Wade rested off the court, the Warriors were led by Butler and Jeremy Lin, and Curry rested off the court.

Jeff Van Gundy looked at the lineups on both sides and said:

"The Heat's best time to chase points is these 2 minutes. Coach Z will definitely not let Curry rest for too long. When he returns to the court, the Heat will be difficult to defend, unless they stop flanking Curry and give the Warriors too much Open shot opportunities."

Mike Breen said:

"Chalmers' single-handed defense against Curry is not good. They can only hope that Curry will be double-teamed for three quarters, and his touch will drop. If Curry still has the touch of the first quarter, the Heat will definitely not be able to defend..."

On the court, the Warriors have already launched an offense. Yi Jianlian screened for Jeremy Lin and opened to the three-point line. Jeremy Lin easily broke through Mike Miller's defense. James came up to help defend. Yi Jianlian made a three-pointer against Haslem, and the basketball bounced out of the hoop, which was snatched by James.

Jeremy Lin was able to set off Linsanity in the regular season, and played a big role in the first three rounds of the playoffs. But in the finals, it was difficult for him to find scoring opportunities inside, and his shots were inaccurate. The only role he had was breakthrough points.

Butler faced James repeatedly. After 2 minutes, the Heat beat the Warriors 7:2, narrowing the point difference to 3 points. The 2 points scored by the Warriors were due to Butler's breakthrough to the inside and difficult fouls. of.

He is extremely good at finding physical confrontation, and James has suffered from him.

It was also taking advantage of this dead ball opportunity that Zhang Yu switched the Warriors' main lineup back to the field, only replacing Green with Leonard.

Leonard has worked hard on defense and corner three-pointers in the past year, and nothing else. This focus has been rewarded handsomely. He can play in the finals in his rookie season and has a place in the Warriors' winning lineup. Irving are far inferior.

Spoelstra also replaced the main lineup, and Wade returned to the court. Everyone's hearts tightened. The final decisive moment finally came.

……

The Heat attacked, James did not call the pick-and-roll, he directly faced Leonard, broke through to the inside, and carried Leonard for a layup. 93:94, the Heat were only 1 point away.

"Good! James used his strength to break through to the Warriors' penalty area and scored. It is worth mentioning that James only rested for 2 minutes in the middle of the second quarter, and then never played again. His body seems to have unlimited physical energy! "Mike Breen said.

Leonard looked at James who retreated to the backcourt, rubbed his slightly aching chest, gritted his teeth, and followed, making up his mind that he must gain weight this summer!

His current weight is still a bit light, his strength and confrontation are very good, but he has not yet reached the top level and cannot compete with the peak James.

Looking back, the Warriors attacked, and Curry dribbled the ball to the frontcourt, habitually wanting to single Chalmers, but found that it was not Chalmers standing opposite him.

In front of him, James stopped a step away, opened his hands, stared at Curry, and waited for the battle. The other Heat players followed their opponents closely, not leaving an inch.

Mike Breen said:

"The Heat no longer flank Curry, but James defends Curry alone. James has switched defenses against Curry before, but Curry did not fight. This is the first time Curry and James face-to-face in this round of the series!"

　Ask for monthly tickets and recommended tickets!

　　
　
(End of this chapter)