NBA: I am a master dealer

But a three-game winning streak is obviously not enough. The Lakers' current record is 16 wins and 26 losses, which is still one game behind the defeated Trail Blazers.

Although the Portland Trail Blazers lost, they still have a record of 16 wins and 24 losses. They have lost two games less and are still firmly ahead of the Lakers.

With Xue Liancheng back, after these days of hard work, the Lakers are still fourth from the bottom in the Western Conference, only rising one spot.

However, considering the Lakers' unstoppable momentum, it still has a certain deterrent effect.

And ranked ahead of the Lakers are the Denver Nuggets. They are now 14 wins and 23 losses, and their record is not particularly good. They only win half a game more than the Lakers.

The New Orleans Pelicans have 15 wins and 24 losses, which is only half a game more than the Lakers.

I believe it won’t be a big problem to surpass them in the near future.

And the ninth place is still the Trail Blazers, so there is no need to look ahead.

The eighth place is still the Sacramento Kings. Their current record is 16 wins and 22 losses, four fewer games than the Lakers. Converted into a win difference, there are still two games left.

In other words, after this three-game winning streak, although the Lakers' ranking has not improved by leaps and bounds, they have actually narrowed the distance between them and the top eight.

At least it's not as out of reach as before.

The difference between two wins is not particularly big now. With the Lakers' current momentum and ferocious offense, it does not seem to be a big problem to reach the top eight this season.

The seventh place in the Western Conference is 21 wins and 19 losses, which is a bit far behind the Lakers, with a full 6 wins difference.

In other words, while the Lakers will win six more games than the Grizzlies, the Grizzlies will lose six more games.

This gap is still relatively large, and currently, it is not easy.

of course.

There is still hope.

And the Lakers don't have the slightest capital to relax.

Because the Phoenix Suns, who are chasing the Lakers, are actually not far behind. The current record is 12 wins and 26 losses, which means they have played four fewer games and are only two games away from the Lakers.

The Minnesota Timberwolves also have a record of 12 wins and 26 losses, exactly the same as the Suns, so they are really not that far away from the Lakers.

The Dallas Mavericks have a record of 11 wins and 27 losses. Although they are at the bottom of the Western Conference, they are only 2.5 games away from the Lakers. There is no room for them to be careless.

What's more.

Their next schedule is not easy. In the next two consecutive away games, they will first go to San Antonio to challenge the Spurs, and then they will have a fierce battle with the Clippers, their strong rival in the same city. They accidentally lost two games in a row.

result……

As expected.

On January 1, the Lakers lost to the Spurs 12:104 in San Antonio.

Xue Liancheng only played for 21 minutes, and in the end he had no choice but to end the game early.

This was a 30-point loss even after he used all his % hit skills.

If he hadn't activated the 100% hit skill, it's unimaginable how he would have lost in the end.

Xue Liancheng only took 11 shots in this game and hit 8 goals. The efficiency was not bad, and he scored a total of 23 points. However, the Spurs' passing and cutting cooperation was even more crazy, and they couldn't stop it at all.

Coupled with the fact that George once again performed undercover drama, he only scored 19 points on 7 of 17 shots. The low efficiency was simply eye-catching.

Randall was pretty good, and his cooperation with Xue Liancheng was getting better and better. He made 13 of 8 shots and scored 22 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists.

He is one of the few players on the Lakers who has performed brilliantly.

Courtney Lee made 5 of 1 and only scored 3 points. His offensive performance was hard to describe, and his defensive power also lost its luster in the Spurs' smooth offense.

Zubac started as a pseudo-starter and only played for more than ten minutes. He scored 7 points on 4-of-8 shots, which is already amazing.

On the bench, Clarkson was powerful, scoring 11 points on 6-of-14 shooting.

James Johnson was not very efficient either, scoring only 16 points on 7 of 15 shots. Marvin Williams was even worse, making 6 of 0 shots and only scoring 2 points on free throws.

Everyone else is stuck.

It was actually foreseeable that the Lakers would lose this game.

After all, the Spurs rank second in the Western Conference, with a terrifying record of 30 wins and 8 losses, which is simply not comparable to the Lakers.

Even if Xue Liancheng comes back, the Lakers have little chance of defeating the Spurs, because Xue Liancheng is still limited to playing time and has not reached his best condition.

You know, Xue Liancheng averaged 31+13+7 per game last season, but such terrifying data is a routine operation.

In the past few games since his comeback, although he has played very fiercely, 25+10 is commonplace.

But this is qualitatively different from 31+13+7. Even if Xue Liancheng's playing time is decreasing, his data has shrunk too much, and his dominance is obviously declining.

Coupled with team integration issues, tactical reorganization issues, tacit cooperation issues, lineup deployment issues, etc., the current Lakers have too many flaws. How can they be favored by the public if they fight to the death with the mature and complete Spurs?
The Spurs' offensive and defensive cooperation has truly reached its peak. It is very silky, very smooth, and has an unstoppable force.

Leonard made 13 of 10 shots and scored 31 points, completely beating George.

Gasol burst into his third spring, scoring 9 points, 9 rebounds and 22 assists on 9-of-6 shooting. Now Gasol is not only good at attacking, he is also good at supporting and central work, sorting out the Spurs' offense in an orderly manner.

Aldridge scored 11 points on 5-of-13 shooting, which looks average, but in fact he only lasted minutes in this game. Coupled with the arrival of Gasol, his offensive position was shared, causing his data to further decline. .

But there is no doubt that Aldridge is still the top power forward in the league. No one dares to deny this, and his deterrence is still there.

Parker made 10 of 6 shots and scored 13 points. Lian Po is old and can still make a living...

Jonathan Simmons scored 8 points on 6-of-12 shooting.

Dejounte Murray also scored 5 points on 3 of 10 shots.

Mills also had 3 points on 2 of 7 shots.

Overall, the Spurs have a lot of players to play with, good chemical reaction, and stable core and tactics, which makes them as strong as they are today.

Although they lost miserably, the Lakers had no time to wallow in the shadow of failure and feel sorry for themselves. They flew back to Los Angeles non-stop to prepare to face their next powerful enemy, the Clippers, their brothers from the same city.

The media predicted before the game that this would be a tough battle.

The obvious reason is that the Clippers' current record is still excellent. As of the game, they have 27 wins and 14 losses, standing proudly at the top of the Western Conference.

Paul can still play and is one of the best point guards in the league.

Griffin is also difficult to deal with. Although he has a tendency to become a power forward, he is still one of the top power forwards in the league.

Jordan's frame protection is also very sharp, and Redick's three-pointers are still so accurate.

So even if Xue Liancheng comes back, the public still believes that the Clippers can rely on hard work to survive the Lakers.

result.

It was really unfortunate.

After four quarters of fierce battle, the Lakers lost the game 109:113 in the final stage.

Xue Liancheng's magic is no longer there.

Mainly because of his 100% hit ability, which was completely destroyed by him one minute before the end.

There was no way, if that point difference was not used at that time, it would never be used again.

全场下来，他上场30分钟，18中9，知道了26分11助攻7篮板。

They really tried their best in this game, but they still lost in the end. That can only mean that they had some problems with details or other aspects.

George made 20 of 8 shots and scored 24 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists. This performance is indeed not good according to Xue Liancheng's requirements, but from George's perspective, the performance is not bad.

毕竟24+7+7，可是明晃晃的全明星级别数据，就是40%的命中率差了点。兰德尔13中6拿到了14分7篮板。

Bench.

Clarkson scored 18 points, James Johnson had 12 points, and Marvin Williams had 11 points. The three of them were the Lakers' three substitutes and played a considerable role.

But the Clippers are not vegetarians either.

They even gave up a Griffin and still won the game in the end.

Jordan made 13 of 12 shots, scored 24 points and 21 rebounds, a super double-20 data, and beat Zubac and Randle into shape.

The Lakers' shortcomings of insufficient interior frame protection have finally been deeply recognized by the public.

Paul had 20 points, 13 assists and 5 rebounds. You have to accept the level of a top point guard here.

However, 58 has always been quite strong in the regular season, but in the playoffs, when the height disadvantage cannot be compensated, and the defensive intensity increases and the physical confrontation becomes fierce, 58 can easily become brittle.

Even if it is not brittle, its power will be greatly reduced.

It can be seen from this that in the sport of basketball, physical talent is really important.

Iverson, 58 Cannon, and even Thomas Jr. are typical examples. Because they are too short, only 183cm, not even this height, they have not been able to achieve great success in the playoffs.

Iverson is considered a short guy. He led the team to the finals and was directly written as a heroic hero.

Paul, on the other hand, has not been able to reach the Western Conference Finals for many years.

Thomas's big money-pulling truck was destined to have a flat tire.

Just because they are too short.

The first element of basketball physical talent is height!

of course.

The fact that the 58 cannon hit this level is considered a legend.

In addition, Redick scored 15 points, Felton scored 15 points, and Rivers Jr. scored 10 points. They all provided considerable firepower support for the team.

After losing to their brothers from the same city, the pessimism of Lakers fans once again spread over Los Angeles.

After another two-game losing streak, the team's record has reached 16 wins and 28 losses.

It seemed like it was about to fall from the sky before it even took off.

Not to mention how uncomfortable that feeling is.

At this time, sarcasm spread again.

"Do you still dare to boast that you are a championship contender now?"

"Haha...its true colors have been revealed!"

"People who don't know think that Xue Liancheng is really a god. If he keeps going with this winning rate, he won't be able to enter the playoffs, but he still wants to compete for the championship? It's like child's play."

"You're laughing so hard, you've lost two games in a row again!"

“Are you going to start diving into the lottery again?”

"Didn't you say that you are the face of the alliance and immediately softened when you encountered two tough opponents?"

"It seems like we can't do it without the Big Three!"

"Without thighs, how can I carry it?"

These sarcastic voices were almost all coming towards Xue Liancheng.

There was such a sensation when Xue Liancheng came back a few days ago, and now the ridicule is just as enthusiastic.

Everyone knows that if Xue Liancheng's comeback cannot stop the Lakers' decline, then the Lakers will fall into hell forever, and Xue Liancheng's influence and image will also suffer a devastating blow.

Just like after James' humiliating loss to Xue Liancheng for two consecutive years, the damage to his reputation was really disastrous and could not be undone even if he wanted to.

It's just so naked.

and so……

Whether the Lakers can enter the playoffs this season is related to Xue Liancheng's future.

Similarly, George will also suffer a huge impact. After all, as a top offensive and defensive forward, the reputation he has built up over the years will not be easy to pick up if it becomes bad with the Lakers.

Other role players also have more or less influence.

And to say that the person with the third greatest impact is none other than Mike Brown.

Because this is Mike Brown’s second time as the coach of the Lakers, and he is still supporting a superstar. Whether he takes over halfway or leads the team throughout the entire process, if he cannot lead the team to get tickets for the playoffs, then the coach’s door may be slowed down. Slowly closed on Mike Brown.

You have to lurk for a long, long time before you have a chance to be pulled out of the quagmire again.

and so.

The three most anxious people took turns giving speeches on the way to Detroit, trying to awaken the sleeping Lakers generals with their infectious power.

Because once they lose three games in a row, the morale they talk about may really be taken away in one fell swoop.

The road ahead will be difficult.

And the possibility of three consecutive defeats is not small...

As of the game, the Pistons had 18 wins and 24 losses, which was a full 16 games ahead of the Lakers' 28 wins and 3 losses. This distance is enough for people to see the gap between the two teams.

However, considering that Xue Liancheng has returned, the Lakers still have an absolute advantage in terms of lineup structure and overall strength.

But the Pistons are by no means soft persimmons.

The second is that the Lakers have lost two consecutive games, and their morale has indeed suffered a huge blow, which will affect the mentality of each of them.

Third, and very importantly, the Lakers are playing back-to-back away games.

With Xue Liancheng's injury pending and his playing time limited, they still have to play away games or back-to-back games.

Doesn't this cost your life?
This is the dilemma the Lakers are currently facing.

In this situation, no one dares to say that it is a sure win.

Even if Xue Liancheng went on the road with his golden thigh on his back, he would not dare to pat his chest and vowed that he would definitely kill the piston under his feet.

of course.

He still feels a little confident against the current Pistons.

After all, it is not a strong team like the Spurs or Clippers, and the power on both ends of the offense and defense is obviously not comparable to them.

He can still accept it calmly if he loses to the Spurs or Clippers.

But if he loses to the Pistons, he can't think of any excuse other than an accident.

Especially at this juncture...

They seemed to have no choice but to win.

Before the game starts.

Mike Brown finally made a pot of chicken soup: "I still believe that we are the best team in the league, but we have not yet truly understood each other, established a tacit cooperation, and developed a good chemical reaction. ”

"But this is definitely not a problem. I hope everyone will firmly believe in this belief and keep going. Only in this way can we reach the other side of the ocean." (End of Chapter)