NBA Old Age Star System

Chapter 377 Christmas Day War, Los Angeles Derby.

Of course, Mike Malone's timeout was not without purpose. After all, Malone can be regarded as having two brushes.

"Jamal, don't compete with that Payton II. Play more on Curry's side, use more pick-and-rolls, less isolations, and increase your shooting percentage!"

After Malone emphasized and arranged for a while, the timeout time had passed, and the two sides returned to the court again.

After returning to the court, Murray became much more rational. Under Murray's guidance, the goal was successfully scored.

However, although Murray regained his senses, no one could stop Su Tian's scoring, and the Lakers still had the advantage.

After a few rounds, halfway through the second quarter, Su Tian came off the court to rest, and Nongmei came on to lead the team.

Also going up with Thick Eyebrow were Brunson and Nunn.

Brunson is now able to take charge of his own business for a short period of time, and with thick eyebrows assisting him, his overall performance is pretty good.

As for the Nuggets, they naturally got Jokic, hoping to use this to strengthen their offense and catch up with the score.

However, with thick eyebrows and Boucher teaming up, the Nuggets' idea still fell through.

Jokic's personal performance is still good, but if he wants to use his personal ability against the entire Lakers team, the current Jokic is still not good enough.

At the end of the first half, the score difference had reached 12 points.

"It seems that if the Nuggets want to beat the Lakers, they still have to work harder!" Barkley said.

"Yes, even with the current score difference and state, it is not certain whether the Soviet Union can force out its full strength in the fourth quarter." Kenny Smith said.

The last game between the Lakers and Bucks left a deep impression on the two of them, and naturally they are looking forward to a wonderful performance in this game as well.

"Su, Anthony, after you two take the field in the third quarter, don't hold back and just use your full strength."

"Brunson, you will lead the team during the substitute time in the second half of the third quarter. I hope you won't let me down!"

Brunson seemed very excited when he heard the coach's arrangement and nodded quickly in agreement.

"Don't worry, coach! I will definitely complete the task!"

After a period of arrangement and arrangement by Wharton, the intermission ended and the third quarter began.

Both sides once again came up with their starting lineups.

Murray came to the frontcourt with the ball and wanted to pass the ball directly to Jokic under the basket.

But with McGee and Big Eyebrow beside Jokic, Murray couldn't find any suitable passing space at all.

So Murray could only pass the ball to Millsap on the side.

Millsap received the ball and couldn't wait to shoot, but was interfered by the thick eyebrows who rushed back urgently.

boom--

The basketball was in play, but Jokic got the rebound under the basket.

Jokic picked up the ball and got up again, but McGee slapped him down before he could take a shot.

But before McGee could celebrate, the referee blew the whistle.

"What? Did this ball hit? No, ref, I didn't hit it! That's a good block!"

McGee naturally didn't want his ball to be blown away, but he had no choice but to change the established fact.

Jokic went to the free throw line and made two free throws.

When the score difference reached 10 points, the ball was transferred. Brunson came to the frontcourt with the ball and passed the ball directly to Su Tian.

Su Tian got the ball, faced Button, and chose to call thick eyebrows to step forward to pick and roll.

Button wanted to quickly bypass the pick-and-roll, while Millsap chose to retreat and defend against Su Tian's breakthrough.

When Su Tian saw this, he was naturally not polite and directly shot a three-pointer.

Swah——

Hit a three-pointer steadily.

Malone on the sidelines was obviously very dissatisfied with Millsap's choice, but he only complained a few words. Obviously Millsap's time in Denver is running out, and Malone does not need to sulk.

In the next few rounds, with the joint efforts of Su Tian and Nongmei, the Nuggets' desire to make a comeback was completely eliminated, and the point difference widened to 17 points.

Walton saw that time was almost up, so he replaced Su Tian and let Nongmei continue to assist Brunson.

Brunson had been looking forward to this moment for a long time, so he was very excited in the first two rounds and kept charging and hitting with the ball.

Brunson's actions also achieved some results, but after a while the Nuggets grasped Brunson's characteristics and began to deploy targeted defense.

Thus, Brunson's battle began to fall into hard times.

Fortunately, the third quarter ended within a few minutes, and the point difference remained at 14 points, and they were not caught up much.

"I think the Nuggets should be panicking when this point difference starts the fourth quarter," Barkley said.

"I don't know if the Nuggets are panicking, but I know Walton will be relaxed!" Kenny Smith said.

"I get angry when I talk about this! Why does Walton want me to coach SU and win the championship?" Barkley said angrily.

At this time, on the benches on both sides of the court, the two coaches were making final arrangements.

For the Lakers, Walton didn't say much, but emphasized giving the ball to Su Tian in the fourth quarter.

Soon the intersection ended and the fourth quarter began.

Su Tian came on the field with a substitute lineup, and he directly caused damage with the ball as soon as he came on the field.

The Nuggets did not sit still and wait for death. The Nuggets used Curry as a breakthrough point and wanted to use this to open up the situation.

Su Tian naturally knew that Curry was not good at defense, so he helped defend many times in the defensive round, so that the Nuggets' strategy failed to succeed.

Just three minutes into the fourth quarter, Malone saw something was wrong and immediately replaced the entire starting lineup.

Walton followed closely behind, taking the entire starting lineup.

After the starting lineups of both sides took the field, the decisive moment of this game was completely started.

With the cooperation of Su Tian and his teammates, Su Tian fired continuously from outside the three-point line, instantly opening up the score.

The Nuggets combine internal and external lines. Jokic on the inside has a clear advantage when facing McGee, and Murray on the outside is not inferior when facing Brunson.

But in the end, the game was won by the Lakers, 123-105, and the Nuggets unfortunately lost.

Although this game with the Nuggets was not as intense as the game with the Bucks, it was equally exciting.

After the game against the Nuggets, the Lakers had a rare three-day break.

During these three days, George and Caruso also returned one after another and participated in the team's training normally.

The reason why the Lakers can have such a rare holiday is entirely because the Lakers have a much-anticipated Christmas game on the 25th.

Los Angeles Derby, Lakers vs. Clippers.

This game was naturally broadcast live across the country, and the Lakers also specially prepared special edition jerseys for the Christmas game.

Before the game, Su Tian was still wondering whether James would contact him. After all, James was in Los Angeles now and the two were in the same city.

But no, James has not contacted him even this season.Su Tian didn't know if there were other reasons for this, but as long as Su Tian ensured that he could win it on the field, there would be no problem.

Time soon came to December 12th, and players from the Lakers and Clippers arrived at Staples on time.

After half a season of training, the Clippers' current lineup has gradually matured, and the cooperation between James and Leonard has become more tacit. However, James always felt a little awkward. James looked at the thick eyebrows on the opposite side and sighed deeply. Take a breath.

Soon, game time came and the lineups of both teams began to take the field.

The Clippers' starting lineup is Beverley, Pope, James, Leonard, and Zubac.

The Lakers' starting lineup has returned to its previous normal state, with Brunson, Su Tian, ​​George, Big Eyebrow, and McGee.

"Okay, audience friends! Our long-awaited Los Angeles Derby Christmas game is about to begin! Please get ready!" Barkley also appeared in front of the TV on time.

"There is no doubt that this matchup will attract much attention in today's Christmas battle. I hope both sides can give us a wonderful performance!" Kenny Smith continued.

At this time, many reporters and media had gathered at the Staples venue. Obviously, the outside world also regarded this game as a top priority.

When the time expired, the game began, and this time the Clippers took the lead.

Beverley just got the ball and passed it directly to James without holding the ball at all.

James got the ball and came to the frontcourt with the ball, facing George's defense.

James did not rush to attack, but first directed his teammates to move, and then asked Zubac to step forward to cooperate with the pick-and-roll.

With the help of his teammates' pick-and-roll, James drove to the basket with the ball, and George quickly bypassed the pick-and-roll to follow James.

The thick eyebrows on the inside were also ready to help defend. When James came to the basket, he indeed attracted the thick eyebrows to help defend.

So James, who had already jumped to collect the ball, twisted his waist and passed the ball to Leonard at the three-point line.

Leonard caught the ball and shot a three-pointer directly.

Swah——

A three-pointer hit directly.

Seeing the basketball hit, James returned to defense with confidence.

The ball changed and it was the Lakers' turn to attack. Brunson came to the frontcourt with the ball and passed the ball directly to Su Tian.

In the lineup matchup between the Lakers and Clippers, Su Tian's team has the most advantage, and the Lakers will naturally not let it go.

Su Tian got the ball and faced Pope. He first tested the three threats, and then saw the right opportunity and made an explosive breakthrough from the right side.

Su Tian's breakthrough instantly attracted the attention of the entire Clippers team. Not only did Pope turn around and try to pursue him, but James on the side was also ready to help defend at any time.

But Su Tian didn't give them a chance. Just when James was about to step forward to help defend against the double-team, Su Tian took a step back and directly returned to the three-point line, and then shot a three-pointer directly.

Swah——

Hit a three-pointer steadily.

"Nice comeback!" Barkley shouted excitedly.

"Hey, Charles, calm down. Although everyone knows you are Su's fan now, you don't want to be so obvious." Kenny Smith said.

"Haha, pay attention next time."

"Please rest assured that I am still a very professional commentator and it will not affect my commentary work." Barkley said with a serious look.

At this time, the ball rights on the court changed again. James had already brought the ball to the frontcourt, still facing George's defense, but this time James directly gave the ball to Leonard, and he ran without the ball.

James is naturally capable without the ball, but James' ability without the ball is indeed not as strong as with the ball.

Leonard got the ball, faced the thick eyebrow defense, and directly called his teammates to pick and roll.

With the help of the pick-and-roll, Leonard used his speed advantage to rush to the basket and wanted to shoot directly for a layup, but he did not expect that the speed of the thick eyebrows was not slow at all, and McGee came from the inside to help defend the basket.

Leonard, who was double-teamed by two people, could only pass the ball to Zubac on the outside.

Zubac has three-point ability, but it is not strong and unstable.

After receiving the pass, Zubac adjusted and shot another three-pointer.

But it's a pity that it still ends in blacksmithing.

boom--

Nongmei collected the rebound and passed the ball directly to Su Tian.

Su Tian got the ball and turned around immediately to start the fast break mode.

Pop wanted to pursue, but he was no match for Su Tian. He could only watch as Su Tian scored a layup.

At this time, James in the backcourt put his hands on his hips and sighed at Su Tian's youth and strength.

"If I was young, I could catch up with this goal, but unfortunately I am old and can't catch up now."

Since James was frequently injured last season, James has clearly felt that his body is aging, so this season James is anxious to find a superstar teammate and win another championship while he is on the tail end of his peak.

Originally, James imagined that the best teammate would be someone with thick eyebrows, but unfortunately the Lakers beat him to it.

Shaking his head and throwing away these thoughts, James turned around and continued to participate in the team's offense.

In the next few rounds, the two sides played in a regular manner without any unexpected incidents, and the remaining time of the first quarter was passed steadily.

At the end of the first quarter, the score came to 33-28, and the Lakers temporarily led by 5 points.

Although the Lakers are currently leading, the point difference is not large, and the Clippers have not lost hope of chasing points.

Soon the second quarter started. Su Tian and Nong Mei came off the court to rest, and George and Brunson led the team on the field.

For the Clippers, James also took a break and Leonard led the team on the court.

George is slightly inferior to Leonard, but Brunson can make up for it, and Cousins ​​​​can also play a role.

But Lu Wei and Harrell on the Clippers bench are not simple roles.

During the substitute period, if there are no special arrangements for the two of them, they are likely to become the x factor of a game.

Fortunately, Walton did make some arrangements. Nunn was responsible for mainly defending Lu Wei, and Kuzma mainly defended Harrell.

With two people clamping down, the Clippers' bench can be restrained a lot.

Halfway through the second quarter, Su Tian and Nongmei came on again, replacing George and Brunson.

At the same time, James also played again for the Clippers.

After Su Tian came on the field again, he teamed up with Nongmei and easily took control of the field.

James on the Clippers naturally wanted to catch up with the score, but unfortunately James alone could not do it.

At the end of the second quarter, the point difference had reached 12 points.

"As expected, it was the Lakers who took the lead at the end of the first half." Barkley said with confidence.

"This is obvious. There is indeed a gap between the Clippers and the Lakers in terms of physical strength, but it is not without a chance to come back and win." Kenny Smith said.

"Then let's see how both sides perform in the second half."

(End of this chapter)