After the confession failed, I went to the NBA to play and lose weight

Chapter 159 Redemption?

"The Magic chose to foul directly and send Galvis Hayes to the free throw line. Hayes made more than 75% of his free throws this season, but Hayes has not made a free throw so far in this game."

Hayes played 12 minutes before and only scored 3 points on 1 of 2 shots.

I haven't touched the ball for a long time, and I haven't made a shot. Even the best touch has cooled down. This is actually a good foul choice.

And Hayes did not live up to the expectations of the Magic. He made two free throws and Howard protected the rebound.

Howard was taken aback for a moment, and then felt a little helpless.

In order to protect the ball at the first time, he hugged the ball and did not send it out. As a result, he was going to the free throw line.

The decision of the Pistons was clearly planned. It was Hayes who committed the foul. It is estimated that the coach gave him instructions when he was allowed to play. His main task was to help restrain Howard, and the foul was certainly one of them.

Howard walked to the free throw line, took a deep breath and missed his first free throw.

"Oh, the two sides suddenly started a 'penalty kick' battle, but Howard's free throws have become a hidden danger for the Magic. He is currently 15 of 9 free throws, just reaching 60%."

"It's a bit dramatic, let's see the second penalty—the second penalty, finally!"

The Pistons still led by 1 point, and they still pressed time, but the Magic also implemented the tactical requirements, this time sending Prince to the free throw line.

Prince made two free throws, and the point difference came to 3 points. Van Gundy hurriedly called another timeout. This was the penultimate timeout opportunity.

With 17 seconds left in the game, the Magic were faced with the choice of scoring points quickly or betting on the last shot.

But no matter which one it is, the risk is relatively high. It is obviously difficult to shoot a three-pointer if you are desperate. , such variables may be even larger.

In the end, Van Gundy turned around, but his eyes stopped on Li Chengming.

Li Chengming was stunned for a moment, and the others also looked over.

It's just that Li Chengming felt a little guilty, and Howard and others were also a little strange. After all, if it was in the past, it would be no problem for Van Gundy to let Li Chengming carry out the attack, but he really didn't look like him tonight. On the court, he has already taken risks, so now he really wants to test his hand?
Van Gundy laughed and said, "You guys open up space to fight Li Dan. Whether you can get in or not depends on whose side God is on tonight."

Li Chengming thought to himself that I don't believe in God, the old man will definitely not be on my side, right?

Van Gundy patted him on the shoulder again at this time, and added: "It's okay, just say after the game that it was my arrangement, and you can just play as you usually do."

This is to remove the pressure in his heart, but this in itself is a major pressure that determines the final outcome of this game.

Li Chengming took a deep breath and nodded.

Others also chose to respect the coach's arrangement at this time, and at the same time came to pat the shoulder to express their trust in Li Chengming's teammate.

Although he is only a rookie, he has saved the team countless times this season. He has proved his ability at critical moments, as well as his adjustment ability and big heart.

In fact, Van Gundy may have a deeper intention to stimulate Li Chengming's confidence and potential in doing so, but the most realistic point is that the current Magic has no better way to score besides pinning their hopes on Li Chengming.

The Pistons' defense is very holistic. The Magic's ability to pass the ball is not enough in front of others. What's more, at this time, too many passes are afraid of making mistakes. It is better to play a giant planet.

Needless to say, on the back line, the most reliable Nelson was injured. On the front line, Turkoglu and Lewis declined in the second half.

As for Howard, if he gets the ball at this time... don't say it.

After comprehensive consideration, it is better to let Li Chengming try. With the current situation of the Magic team, they can still accept a loss in one game. After all, the record for half a season so far this season is already a surprise.

In the second half of the season, it is also necessary to adjust the team's state. Let Li Chengming, a rookie, experience more of this kind of scene, so that he can play a more important role in the playoffs.

However, in this lineup of the Magic, except for Lewis, the others can't actually be said to have passed the test of the playoffs, and they may have to adapt a little more at that time, of course, this is a later story.

After returning to the court after a timeout, Turkoglu made a half-circle along the three-point arc after receiving the ball. Seeing that Li Chengming had settled down in the low post, the others also opened up space before the ball was released. He hung it high.

This time it was Prince who defended Li Chengming, because the Pistons had to switch defenses after a turnaround just now.

Prince still wanted to go around the front to defend, but he couldn't squeeze Li Chengming at all. In the end, he stretched his long arms and caught the ball in his hand.

Li Chengming held high and played high. Facing Prince, this was a good opportunity for misalignment. Li Chengming turned around and observed the defensive position of the Pistons for a while, then began to shoot the ball and play back singles.

Prince took a defensive step, but was crushed back again and again by Li Chengming's battering ram-like bombardment, and almost fell to the ground.

Wallace wanted to come over to help, but the rest of the Magic didn't stand still. Lewis and Howard crossed positions and pulled him to the other wing position. This distance is already difficult to come over to help defend against interference. .

Only Hamilton can come forward here, but Li Chengming also counts his steps. At this time, his head is completely calm and sober, and he can directly describe the general defensive position on the opposite side at this time without even looking at it. bit.

Then, when Prince was knocked out of position by the defense again, he felt that this distance was sure enough, so he turned around and shot at the basket.

At this time, Hamilton, who had been watching his movements closely, also saw the opportunity and came forward, but in the end he only had time to hold one of his arms. Li Chengming's body was already up, and his right hand was still raised to pick the basket even though he lost his balance. shot.

"Yes! Li Chengming finally made a hit this time, swept away the haze before, and completed his own redemption. Moreover, this shot also caused Hamilton's foul, 2+1—at the critical moment, Li Chengming finally stood up Already!"

When the commentator shouted excitedly, Li Chengming also clenched his fists and roared. Today he was almost aggrieved for the whole game, but he was more competing with himself.

Of course he knew how precious the opportunity to attack was at this time, and he was sure that Hamilton would definitely come up, but he still chose to go up by himself, believed in himself, and dared to bear the possible price of failure.

This is also the only way to a star, although there are many role players who shine at critical moments in the history of the NBA, such as Kerr who received a pass from Jordan for a lore, the old fish Fisher who made a lore in 0.4 seconds and became a classic, or "Seven Crowns" Huo Li, they also have a big heart, and they are also very powerful.

But most of the time, this kind of occasion is still the stage of the star, the performance of the superstar, otherwise how can there be the so-called "giant planet".

"As long as Li Chengming makes this free throw, the Magic will be able to tie. However, there are still 4 seconds left in the game, and the Pistons still have one last chance to attack. They still hold the initiative!"

It's not that Li Chengming didn't grasp the time well, it's because he originally planned to score two points, so he had to save time to continue using foul tactics and let the Magic themselves have enough time to arrange the final attack.

Otherwise, even if the goal is scored and the time runs out, they will still lose by one point.

But now it seems like an afterthought, it would be safer to press the time to the end, and then score this goal to tie and go directly to overtime.

But who could have predicted this development?

Li Chengming did not expect that Hamilton would foul and the referee would blow.

"Li Chengming walked to the free throw line to execute this free throw. This season, Li Chengming's free throw percentage has dropped below 90%, but 89.1% is still the most accurate free throw in the Magic team. This shot should be stable..."

Director Zhang just said that Li Chengming's free throw slammed and hit the iron directly.

(End of this chapter)