Chapter 235: 'Positive' Howard
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"Lian Dao scored 24 points and 4 assists in the first quarter. He still played an all-round performance in the second round of the playoffs and helped the Knicks take the lead in the first quarter."
"The next pressure will come to the Magic team to see how the Magic team should adjust."
"The Magic did a very poor job of starting and rotating in the first quarter, especially in the last two minutes. Their offensive efficiency was very low."
"And Sickle just seized this opportunity, took the lead in leading the Knicks' rotation, and opened up the game. Especially in the first quarter, under the attraction of Lian Dao, other Knicks players also opened up. You must know that other Knicks players are normal. If we play well, the probability of the Knicks losing in the regular season is very low!"
Mike Breen and Jeff Van Gundy both analyze the game in the first quarter.
"Use the pick-and-roll to bring Sickle out of the paint, and don't let him interfere too much with Dwight!" Van Gundy also found the root cause of the problems in the Magic's connection.
Lian Dao and Howard are almost the same height, Lian Dao's barefoot height is 205. Howard's barefoot height is 206. Howard's official height in the league is 2cm higher, and Lian Dao is 1cm lower.
Lian Dao and Howard are basically the same height when they stand together. Both have a wingspan of 223cm, and Lian Dao's lower body strength is stronger than Howard's.
When Lian Dao switched to the fifth position, Howard basically had no chance at the basket.
Van Gundy also discovered this. He didn't expect Lian Dao to be so lethal in the fifth position.
"In the second quarter, we must strengthen our defense, move our feet, and don't give them opportunities to cut inside and shoot three-pointers. Don't underestimate them just because we won them in 3 games in the regular season. Their strength is definitely not just regular. That's how it played out," Van Gundy yelled from the bench.
Compared with Van Gundy's anger on the Magic's side, D'Antoni on the Knicks' side smiled.
"Well done, sickle, I didn't expect you to perform so well in the fifth position. In the next second quarter, you will defend Howard. We will follow the previous rhythm. I believe we can win this game! "D'Antoni laughed.
Lian Dao's restrictions on Howard in the last two minutes of the first quarter really surprised D'Antoni.
At the beginning of the second quarter, the Magic replaced Jamil Nelson and Jason Williams. Although White Chocolate's offensive organization and passing are very good, it is a colander on the defensive end. Lewis had one The defensive colander is enough for the Magic.
If white chocolate is added, the Magic's external defense is equivalent to nothing.
After returning, the Magic team also started chasing points frantically.
First, Lewis scored a three-pointer from the outside, and then Redick also opened up the three-pointer at this time, and also made a three-pointer from the outside.
If you want to say which team in the league has the highest quality three-point shooter, it must be the Magic.
The Knicks' three-point shooting is also among the top in the league, but most of them are supported by Lian Dao.
In addition to Lian Dao, Gallinari has a relatively strong three-point shooting ability. Although the others also have three-point shooting ability, there is still a gap in quality compared to the Magic.
However, the existence of cheap rice can completely make up for this.
Although the Magic are constantly chasing points, Lian Dao can always respond on the offensive end, so the Knicks have always maintained a 5-point lead!
Howard has been playing very well in recent times because the rest of the Magic team has restrained Lian Dao's defense.
At this time, his disappearing smile returned to his face.
It seems that he completely forgot about being dunked by Lian Dao in the first quarter.
The time soon came to 5 minutes and 02 seconds of the second quarter.
Lian Dao completed the steal on Lewis, and then quickly counterattacked.
Speeding up one after another, passing Matt Barnes and Jameer Nelson, Lian Dao stepped on the three-point line and joined the ball.
Take three steps!
After coming to the basket, he jumped high, grabbed the ball with one hand, turned 360° in the air, and dunked!
The Knicks' bench was completely stunned.
Brother, this is the playoffs, not the slam dunk contest!
However, Lian Dao's dunk immediately ignited the enthusiasm of the Knicks on the bench, and they frantically shook the towels in their hands!
Lian Dao's dunk was a show-stopper!
"Oh, Sickle's slam dunk can get full marks even if it wins the slam dunk contest."
"It's too easy for him!"
"When we saw Carter on the bench of the Magic, he couldn't help standing up. Maybe he thought of himself when he was young, and Carter was flying like this at that time!"
Carter was also amazed by Lian Dao's dunk, and he stood up involuntarily, but only then did he realize that he was a member of the Magic team.
However, looking back at the other teammates, they also opened their mouths in shock!
I didn't even notice the difference in myself!
The Magic fans in the audience were also dunked by Lian Dao this time, and they were beaten into silence!
Lian Dao can really be regarded as an away silencer!
56:51.
The game was still going on, but the momentum of the Magic team was suppressed by Lian Dao's dunk.
Larry Hughes steals Jameer Nelson's pass to Redick.
The Magic retreated quickly.
Lian Dao received a pass from Larry Hughes, and the speed was increased to the maximum. At this time, the Magic watched Lian Dao's acceleration and was ready to shrink the defense line to the basket.
But when Lian Dao was two steps away from the three-point line, he suddenly slammed on the brakes, and then pulled up his body. It was a shot as fast as lightning!
Matt Barnes was shocked, but it was too late when he jumped up to interfere.
He could only watch helplessly as the basketball flew over his head, drew an arc, and then fell straight into the basket.
"brush!"
Super domineering chasing super long three-pointer!
"Fromn! Sickle made a three-pointer with an emergency stop and chase!" Mike Brin stood up again and shouted loudly!
59:51!
The Magic also quickly adjusted their emotions and were not too affected by Lian Dao's previous two goals. This is a team with experience in the playoffs, and they know how to adjust to emergencies they encounter!
However, in the rest of the second quarter, the Magic did not shrink the score.
At the end of the second quarter, the score was fixed at 68:62.
The Knicks ended halftime with a 6-point lead!
Obviously, the magic is far more difficult than the Bucks!
Back in the locker room, the Knicks players are now playing more and more confidently. Before the start of the game, the shadow of the regular season match against the Magic still lingers in the hearts of many players, but after halftime, all players have no worries~www. mtlnovel.com ~ They now hope to start the second half immediately!
In the locker room at home, the Magic were a little disappointed. They didn't expect the Knicks to be the leading team at the end of halftime, especially when they played very well overall.
If they are facing the Heat, they have maintained an absolute lead now, but facing the defeated opponents in the regular season, they are behind by 6 points.
A strong psychological gap is a psychological blow to every player of the Magic.
Lian Dao's strong offensive and defensive performance in the first half gave all of them a heavy blow, especially Howard was humiliated by Lian Dao in the first quarter.
However, now Howard is smiling all over his face, showing no signs of loss.
If there is another player with a "positive mentality" on the Magic, it must be Howard.
I don't know if he really has a good attitude, or if he is just heartless!
Seeing the giggling expression on Howard's face, Van Gundy felt a little helpless. He had no leadership qualities at all and lacked competitiveness.
Van Gundy opened his mouth, but in the end he didn't say anything.
As for Howard's character, his head coach couldn't be more clear, and he didn't know how many times he said it, but it was all to no avail.
Van Gundy didn't want to repeat what he said before, saying it three times is like water, it doesn't make any sense!
Van Gundy also pointed out the problems in the first half, and then formulated a defensive strategy for the second half.
In fact, the most important point is Lian Dao. For Lian Dao in the first half, they did not give Lian Dao too much defensive oppression.
At this point, Van Gundy also emphasized defense.