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Chapter 772

Due to Bai Jidong's harsh words before the game, the third game of the Western Conference Finals received even more attention than the previous two games.

Some people who usually don't pay much attention to the NBA took the initiative to turn on the TV series to watch the live broadcast of the game.

Two days ago, the Timberwolves had just played a nightmare game at home. The audience was sluggish and lost the home court advantage of the series.

The Timberwolves have reached a time when they must break free. If they want to advance to the finals, they have to win the next game in Los Angeles.

Facing the Lakers with Kobe and Gasol Artest, the difficulty can be imagined.

At the beginning of the game, the Timberwolves maintained the bad touch of the previous game.In the first two rounds of the game, both offenses were missed. Artest made a mid-range shot to open the scoring for the Lakers. Bai Jidong then began to take over the team's offense. He scored 15 points in the first quarter.

It's a pity, but apart from Bai Jidong, the others' offense was weak, and it felt like someone stole it. The rest of the team only scored 6 points.

On the other hand, the Lakers, although the shooting percentage is not high, but with consecutive offensive rebounds, they still took the lead in the score. Only Bynum grabbed 6 offensive rebounds, and the Lakers rebounded 24 to 12 in the first quarter. leading.

From this number of rebounds, it can be seen that the two sides are engaged in a thrilling iron battle.

In such a crucial game, Olowokandi failed to deal with his foul problem. With 4 minutes left in the first quarter, he received his second foul and had to end early.

He picked up his third foul on Bryant midway through the second quarter, playing time was fragmented and the Timberwolves' normal rotation was disrupted.

Fortunately, the Lakers' offensive success rate in the second quarter is still not high. Relying on the consecutive scoring by Artest, Kobe and Gasol, the Lakers have always firmly controlled the score.

31 seconds before halftime, a controversial scene happened.

Vashabek was brought down by Artest on a fast break layup and was called a flagrant first-degree foul by the referee

"Is this a fucking malicious foul? We're not soft-bodied sissies!" Artest's angry reprimand failed to bring him any benefit.

The referee added another technical foul, and then Bryant also received a technical foul when he defended Artest.

The Timberwolves made all of their free throws to tie the game.

Back in the second half, Kobe turned on the God-killing mode. He couldn't defend himself no matter what. He attacked continuously and beat the Timberwolves to the ground.

Although the Timberwolves gradually regained their sense of offense, their defense was in trouble. Olowokandi got his fourth foul in less than a minute.

Because the team does not have a center who can resist Bynum, Casey can only continue to put him on the court, but Olowokandi is inevitably cautious on the defensive end and dare not try his best.

In the second half of the third quarter, Artest, who had been silent for a long time, suddenly broke out, and a magical 2+1 in a fast break kicked off his performance.

Within 4 minutes, Artest scored 10 points in a row. After three quarters, the Lakers once again took advantage, leading the Timberwolves by double digits.

In times of crisis, the Timberwolves need their heroes to step up.

However, the Timberwolves, who were still able to barely bite the score before, suddenly collapsed. The Lakers took advantage of the missed shots against the Timberwolves and hit consecutive counterattacks. Kobe found the crosshairs and hit two consecutive three-pointers.

The Lakers played a wave of 3-10 in less than 0 minutes, and the point difference came directly to 20 points.

Bai Jidong, who played the entire third quarter and only rested for 2 minutes, had to play again, but his touch had already left him.

Afterwards, Bai Jidong's offensive efficiency began to decline. Although his score increased to 45 points, the point difference was not narrowed in the slightest.

In the end, the Lakers held on to their lead and beat the Timberwolves by a big margin, retaliating Bai Jidong's wild words before the game.

The Los Angeles reporters who were waiting for this scene finally found a reason to vent. They crowded the Timberwolves press conference and asked tricky questions one after another.

Bai Jidong's mood is very stable, the pain of losing, the reporter's attitude did not affect his mood at all.

He attended the press conference as usual and answered reporters' questions calmly.

"You said two days ago that the Timberwolves are better at playing tough games than the Lakers. How about now? Do you want to take that back?"

"No, this sentence is still valid. I firmly believe that we are better at playing tough games than the Lakers." Bai Jidong said lightly.

Another reporter asked: "You guys were so close, what made you miss the win?"

"It's a close game and when you're down and trying to come back, it takes a lot of energy. I think we learned a lot from that game and at some point in the game we've got to be able to Getting ahead and trailing the whole game is going to be tough to win."

Bai Jidong replied.

Casey stated his thoughts simply and clearly: "We should have played more energy and played better. We were complacent, they thought they could win the game with 80% strength. We must continue to focus .But there is no reason to panic now, I think we still have the ability to make a name for ourselves in the following games."

Kobe mocked Bai Jidong's so-called "empirical theory" in front of reporters.

"That's the 'experience' we need, we're not really an 'experienced' team, but no matter who the opponent is, we have to believe that we can be as tough as them. Tonight we didn't hold back, we didn't give up .”

Bai Jidong could only accept the old rival's taunt, they really didn't play well tonight.

Now there is only one way for the Timberwolves, and that is to win Game4, otherwise they will return home with a big score of 1 to 3, which is too desperate.

Although there have been incidents in the history of the NBA where the conference finals fell behind 1 to 3 and eventually reversed, it was a small probability event after all.

Bai Jidong didn't want such a difficult situation to happen to him, so Game4 had to be won.

That night, Bai Jidong left the hotel and went to a private club. This is the famous "Magic Mansion", a club owned by magicians.

Magicians usually don't come here, but he has an appointment with Bai Jidong tonight.

"Every time I see you, you look so bright."

Bai Jidong sensed something was wrong from the magician's eyes that were always emitting electricity anytime and anywhere.

The magician had a trademark smirk on his face: "Don't be nervous, White Wolf, I don't have any purpose, I just want you to relax, because you seemed a little nervous at Staples just now."

Bai Jidong smiled, sat down and said, "Not to mention whether I am nervous or not, even if I am nervous, isn't that what you expected?"

"As a legend in LA, you should hope that I don't adapt to Staples more than anyone else?" Bai Jidong sneered.

"You're right, I really hope to see Kobe beat you up, and then the Lakers win the series and reproduce the fateful matchup between purple and green. I hope this will happen in my dreams." The magician used a Said in a sarcastic tone.

Bai Jidong listened silently, he knew that the magician hadn't finished speaking.

"But I want you to give it your all, it's no pleasure beating a white wolf who's not giving it his all," said the magician. "You know what? You're the perfect player in my mind."

The magician has always had a very high opinion of Bai Jidong, starting from Bai Jidong's rookie period.

The current Bai Jidong is no longer the brat he was back then, and he won't humbly bow his head and deny it just because of a few words of praise from a celebrity.

"Why do you say that? Michael should be more perfect than me?" Bai Jidong asked.

The magician smiled and said, "Maybe in other people's hearts, but in my opinion, you are the most perfect. The most perfect in history, the one with the least weakness."

"I'm glad you said that, but why me? There are so many great players in the NBA, why can't Shaquille O'Neal, Tim Duncan, Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain, Larry Burroughs Germany, or you?" Bai Jidong asked.

The magician smiled and said, "The people you mentioned all have flaws to some extent, but you are perfect, flawless, unique, and the most perfect one."

Even if Bai Jidong has seen such a storm and heard such comments from the best point guard in history, his heartbeat will inevitably speed up.

"Even if you say that, I won't show mercy." Bai Jidong replied stiffly.

The magician smiled lightly and said, "What I want is that you show no mercy. I want to see where your limit is."

"Human limits are endless, you can't see them." Bai Jidong said.

The magician said: "Then let me see how far the Lakers can push you."

"I will be in the commentary booth for the game the day after tomorrow. I look forward to your performance." The magician's tone made people believe that these words came from his sincerity.

Bai Jidong didn't want to be burdened with such expectations, and they still came from the hostile camp, it felt too weird.

"If Lakers fans know that their best player in team history expects me to beat them up in the Western Conference Finals, what will they think?" Bai Jidong smiled wryly.

The magician makes a "you're naughty again" grimace: "They may be disappointed, but that's what I mean."

Bai Jidong gradually put away his smile, thinking seriously about the magician's words.

He has seen and kept in mind the importance the magician has attached to him over the years.

At this moment, facing the Magician's home team, he can only go all out.

"Magic, thank you for telling me this." Bai Jidong said. "I appreciate it."

"The night after tomorrow, I'm waiting to see a great game." The magician laughed.

Time flies. In the past two days, the Timberwolves have blocked contact with the outside world, and the whole team is in a state of high preparation.

After three games, the Timberwolves not only need to solve the offensive problem, but also need to solve the vitality of the inside.

One of the harsh truths is that Olowokandi is too old.

He's too old to afford a playoff start, and his impact on the court is dwindling.

Therefore, the Timberwolves need to make changes.

Casey didn't know what the consequences of this decision would be, but nothing could be broken.

If you change, there is still the possibility of miracles. If you don't change, you can only repeat the same mistakes.

(End of this chapter)