new lord of the rings

Chapter 414 The beast is out of the cage!

The first game of the Phoenix Suns started at home. Fans who had not entered the playoffs for several years came to the Holiday Inn Arena in Talking Stick with cheers and cheers for the home team. It's the same, the atmosphere was very enthusiastic before, but it didn't reach such a strong level. Only the old fans knew that this was the taste of the playoffs.

A year later, Zhang Xin, who returned to the playoffs again, took a deep breath, turned around and smiled and said to his teammates: "Finally, the cruel and lovely playoffs are here. The regular season is too boring."

The camera at home just happened to follow Zhang Xin. Zhang Xin showed his white teeth like a grinning beast!
If the Jazz players felt it, they all looked at Zhang Xin on the big screen. They shuddered in unison, as if they were prey being targeted by a ferocious beast.

Game start.

Quinn Schneider sent the starting lineup: Gordon Hayward, George Hill, Joe Ingles, Boris Diao, Rudy Gobert.

Playoff rookie coach Earl Watson was trembling with the starting lineup: Zhang Xin, Devin Booker, Rajon Rondo, Tyson Chandler and Pau Gasol.

"Earl Watson is a lucky guy. Although he was an ordinary player, he became an assistant coach as soon as he retired. Before the assistant coach was enough, he was promoted to the position of the head coach and became the head coach. Within half a season of his position, the Suns miraculously ushered in the arrival of Zhang Xin, and then pushed the Suns from the bottom of the Western Conference to the second record in the league. Although the selection of the best coach has not yet been officially announced, it is already his. It’s in the bag, and the chances in life are really amazing.” Jeff Van Gundy said enviously.

McBrin laughed. Jeff Van Gundy has coached for 11 years, entered the playoffs nine times, and entered the Eastern Conference Finals twice, but he has not won the honor of the best head coach. This is something he has always been worried about. Now Seeing that Earl Watson, a rookie coach, is about to win the honor of the best coach in the second year, it is no wonder that his tone is a bit sour.

"Jeff, this is God's arrangement, so let's concentrate on explaining the game according to God's arrangement." McBrin said with a smile.

McBrin and Van Gundy have been partners for many years. Since Van Gundy was fired by the Rockets, he has been directly and seamlessly connected as a commentary partner to the present. They have been friends for more than ten years. Not to mention the relationship between friends, the relationship between partners is very good. The degree, so the two are not afraid of each other's anger when they tease each other.

"Okay, Gasol and Gobert picked the ball in the middle circle, and Gobert got the ball for the Jazz for the first time." Jeff Van Gundy said.

George Hill dribbled the ball quickly across the half court. George Hill's state this year is the second best season of his career. He averaged 16.9 points, 4.2 assists and 3.4 rebounds per game, making him the team's second scorer.

Hayward is a master off the ball. From the inside, he asked Gobert to make a screen and rushed out of the three-point line. After receiving a pass from Hill, he directly pulled up a three-pointer and made a three-pointer!
The Jazz took the lead, and they were not frightened at home in Phoenix. They were the first to give the Suns a big blow with a neat three-pointer.

Tyson Chandler hastened to serve, Rajon Rondo quickly crossed the half court under Hield's defense, Zhang Xin and Devin Booker ran under the cover of Chandler and Pau Gasol, Zhang Xin from The inside rushed out to catch the ball around Gasol and broke through the middle, attracting the help of Joe Ingles on the wing. Zhang Xin passed the ball to Devin Booker in the bottom corner. Booker did not hesitate to make a three-pointer. The line is wonderful, but the basketball doesn't even touch the frame!
Dior grabs the rebound and immediately initiates a transition. He quickly makes a quick move. Zhang Xin returns to the defense immediately. Dior passes the ball to the fast-moving Hill. Hill uses his stronger body than Rondo to rush to the inside. Going down, Hill nimbly dodged and picked the ball into the basket in the air, and the Jazz scored a 5:0.

During the frontcourt meeting, Devin Booker raised his hand to indicate that it was his own problem. Zhang Xin smiled and waved his hand to indicate that there was no problem. Blocking Hill, Rondo quickly rushed inside around Gasol.

Gobert was rushed by Rondo in the first pass, but he was not in a hurry. He had enough height and wingspan to interfere. He quickly turned around and prepared to block Rondo, but Rondo passed the ball behind him and gave the ball to the goal. Passing down Gasol, Gasol took off and dunked directly!
The starting lineups of the two sides can still be matched. Even if the Jazz's starting lineup is close, it is limited. Both sides know that the key to victory is the rotation stage.

After entering the playoffs, Zhang Xin will start the second half of the first quarter with a rotation, and Earl Watson will replace Bledsoe, Bro Gordon, Batty Hilde, and PJ Tucker.

Quinn Schneider replaced Derrick Favors, Joe Johnson, Rodney Hood, Hayward and Gobert remained on the court.

Zhang Xin directly faced Gobert. Although there is a 10cm difference in height between the two, it is difficult for Gobert to single Zhang Xin in the low post. Zhang Xin's strength and tonnage are not inferior to Gobert. The only worry is the rebound and guard. frame, but small lineups have strategies to deal with tall players, such as rebounds. Since the height of the basket is not as high as that, then use the card position and five players to join in the rush to protect the rebound.

Phoenix has the ball, Zhang Xin decisively speeds up as soon as the small lineup comes on, it is not a wise choice if this lineup competes with the Jazz.

Joe Johnson of the Jazz found Bledsoe in the low post, and wanted to single Bledsoe with tonnage and height. Bledsoe withstood the first hit. By the time of the second hit, Bro Gordon had gone straight to Joe Johnson. Johnson wanted to find Hood, who was emptied, and shouted badly as soon as the ball was shot. Zhang Xin rushed out from one side and stole the basketball directly.

Battyhild made a save from Zhang Xin, and immediately realized that this was an opportunity, so he made a quick pass. Zhang Xin made a long pass directly, and Battyhild dribbled the ball directly to his feet, but dribbled the ball directly to his feet and out of bounds.

"Haha, young man, welcome to the playoffs." Jeff Van Gundy laughed.

McBrin also laughed. Rookies often make mistakes like this. The tense atmosphere of the playoffs makes rookies unable to let go of their hands and feet. Their vision narrows, they can’t remember tactics, and even their physical strength will be consumed more than usual. a little more.

Zhang Xin patted Batty Hilder on the shoulder, signaling him to relax, this kind of ball is nothing.

But immediately Brogdon also made a mistake that rookies would make. After Zhang Xin passed a corner three-pointer, Brogdon made a three-point shot without any defense!
(End of this chapter)