Grab Curry at the start

Chapter 47
"We have to play with energy, especially on the defensive end." In the Lakers locker room, head coach Phil Jackson was also speaking.

He was dissatisfied with the team's performance in the second quarter. He said: "Come on, we are not facing some underdogs. The Timberwolves are now gaining momentum. You must play more aggressively, and you must play more like defending champions. I don't want to see that we are still behind in rebounds in the second half."

In the third quarter, both the Timberwolves and the Lakers saw new changes.

But what makes Zhang Sixin a little embarrassed is that the Lakers' defense has really improved, and when the opponent's defense has upgraded, the Timberwolves' increased three-point shooting percentage is a bit speechless.

"Did I expect too much from them?" Zhang Sixin asked.

"Maybe it's just a lack of luck." Ron Adams said with experience.

Fortunately, the Timberwolves' defensive strength against the Lakers has also improved.

The inside line of the Lakers is not as arrogant as in the first quarter.

But it's not all because of the Timberwolves' defense. In the third quarter, the Lakers' interior put more energy on defense and rebounding, and the Timberwolves' rebounding began to fall behind.

In this case, Bryant took over the offensive initiative.

This is what the Timberwolves hope, but the opponent is forced to use the big move and actively uses the big move is still different.

Because of Kobe's efforts, the Timberwolves once again became the lagging side.

"Pay attention to defense, we must actively look for confrontation." Zhang Sixin said to the players.

He still wants to see if he can provoke Kobe. Provoking Kobe may end in an instant, or Kobe may hit the iron continuously. As the weaker side, the Timberwolves are definitely willing to bet.

Young players are still a little immature in this regard. After thinking about it, Zhang Sixin replaced Brewer to defend Kobe.

Brewer certainly couldn't guard against him, but he was much more professional than a rookie, so he arranged for Zhang Sixin to pester Kobe with various demands.

Kobe was a little unhappy after receiving this kind of treatment, and began to teach Brewer a lesson in singles.

Zhang Sixin stood expressionless on the sidelines, but he was still relieved.

Opportunities are already being created, and how the team performs next depends on the players themselves.

Since the start of the second half was not good, it will be the same as the first half, starting from the rotation period.

At that time, he will be on the Timberwolves' full offensive lineup to gamble on the team's outside offensive power.

After the two teams fully entered the rotation, the Timberwolves began to exert their strength under the adjustment of Zhang Sixin.

Curry, Belinelli, Matthews, Frye and Love, this is the most stable lineup for the Timberwolves.

Just after the combination was completed, Love, who played again, hit a three-pointer. Zhang Sixin felt that this was a good sign.

Subsequently, Curry also hit a three-pointer.

Zhang Sixin couldn't help shouting YES. The Lakers had already led by double digits just now, but after two three-pointers, the gap narrowed.

The Lakers didn't care about it. They saw that the situation was wrong and replaced Kobe.

The Minnesota lineup definitely couldn't defend against Kobe, and there was no defense inside, so Zhang Sixin waved his hand and decided to pinch.

As for whether other Lakers players can make it, it depends on luck.

It is impossible for a weaker team to beat a stronger team to be perfect.

Bryant first let his teammates hit two, but Shannon - Brown missed.

Gasol also got a shot. Frye's interference was not aggressive at all, but Gasol didn't make a shot either.

Zhang Sixin shook his fist, they were still a bit lucky.

Otherwise, Shannon Brown made a three-pointer just now, and they would be a bit difficult to play.

After his teammates missed two goals, Kobe was also a little upset and began to make difficult shots.

Because on the Timberwolves side, Belinelli and Matthews scored successively, and the Timberwolves will soon catch up.

However, Kobe missed both of the difficult shots and only hit the third ball.

It's a pity that the Timberwolves didn't seize this opportunity, and Curry made a mistake.

After Kobe made the hit, he felt better, Gasol also hit the low post, the Lakers still have the advantage.

What should the Timberwolves do?Of course it is to bite the bullet.

When the game reaches the last quarter, don't think so much.

After Curry and Love picked and rolled, Love finally got an easy layup.

When Bynum is not on the court, the Lakers' interior is still a little empty.

Lakers coach Jackson is also considering whether to quickly replace Bynum to protect the frame.

But the Timberwolves are mainly playing outside now, and Love's opportunity just now was also obtained because of Gasol's defense.

Bynum was afraid that he wouldn't be able to defend. If he couldn't get enough advantage inside, he might not be as good as the current lineup.

The strength of the Timberwolves after speeding up has also been recognized in previous games, and the Lakers are not without any worries.

So the Lakers still plan to use this lineup to see first. Gasol is also more flexible. He goes to the fifth position and the lineup can be completely matched.

Looking at the previous games, Gasol can be said to have completely suppressed Love except for rebounds.

However, under the attack of the Timberwolves, Shannon Brown, who got a chance, missed two more three-pointers.

Among the role players of the Lakers, Farmar and Vujacic are the only three-point players who are okay today.

This caused the Timberwolves to have loopholes in their defense, and the Lakers just couldn't take the opportunity to open the score.

Seeing that the situation was a bit dangerous, the Lakers still took Bynum up.

After Bynum came up, there was no immediate effect. In fact, he was also a little unstable, and his strength fluctuated.

However, an accident happened at this time, that is, Artest hit a three-pointer.

Immediately afterwards, Frye missed a three-pointer.

This also announced the failure of Zhang Sixin's three-point betting strategy. After all, Kobe did not keep playing hard, and the Lakers also scored three-pointers from outside.

But from the point of view of chasing points, it can't be a complete failure. Now it depends on whether to continue.

Zhang Sixin thought about it, and replaced Jefferson and DeRozan.

Don't gamble, let's fight with the main lineup. Jefferson will hold the opponent in the paint, and then look at the touch of the young outside players. Losing is like that.

If the Lakers twin towers can still exert their strength, and Milicic is added, it is still an offensive lineup, but it is not a complete three-point lineup.

By this time, it was already the last 5 minutes of the game.

The Timberwolves are 6 points behind, is there any help?

In terms of time, there must be suspense, that is, the fundamental problem has not been resolved, the Lakers have more strengths, and the only strength of the Timberwolves has not fully exploded.

"Gentlemen, the last few minutes are the time to test your will. Winning and losing, that is, these few minutes. I don't have any extra tricks in my bag. It depends on whether you can defend and make shots."

(End of this chapter)