Basketball Dragon

Chapter 238 Ignite the Fighting Intent
In the playoffs, the Cavaliers’ defense became extremely terrifying. The outside world believed that their defense even surpassed the Knicks. The Pistons fell and were defeated by the Cavaliers for four consecutive cities because of the unstoppable James and a more suffocating defense than theirs.
This momentum has emerged last year, and this year it has become a reality.

James' performance was impeccable, but before Li Hai won the championship and Wade played in the Eastern Conference Finals, the halo of his team's success was weakened.

So he was very eager to defeat Li Hai, defeat the Knicks, and overcome powerful enemies to reach the top.

"We are united, we are tenacious, and we can defeat any opponent." When facing media reporters, James was still extremely domineering.

In the West, Yao Ming and McGrady scored double-doubles to send the Warriors home, while Duncan taught the Suns to be a man with 9 blocks in the paint, allowing the Spurs to enter the Western Conference Finals 4:2.

The Mesozoic generation in the west is tough, and the young generation in the east seizes power. No matter who wins or loses, the finals will be a collision of the times. Even if the four teams in the Eastern and Western finals are all teams that emphasize defense, it does not affect the excitement of the game at all.

However, the king's duel between Lehi and James is obviously more popular than the Texas Civil War in the West.

The same position, similar style, who is the number one small forward in the league, the fans are going to fight online.

Hours before the start of the game, there is a home atmosphere around Madison Square Garden, which has only grown since the Knicks won the championship last year.

Like the players, the enthusiasm of the fans also needs the support of the record.

After the start of the game, it was the Cavaliers who took the lead. Ilgauskas got the ball inside for the first time and caused Eddie Curry's foul and made two free throws.

In exchange for the Knicks' inside offense, it was unsuccessful. Eddie Curry was afraid of being a tall center before, but Ilgauskas' strength has declined this season. Eddie Curry is not at a loss, but in the postseason Sai, obviously still a little different.

In the Eastern Conference Finals, the Knicks' interior will be truly tested.

Then James planned to hit Li Hai, so that he could completely overwhelm the Knicks in terms of momentum.

No matter which opponent is facing the Cavaliers, they must guard against James strictly. Compared with the Knicks, defending Li Hai is even stricter. If defending Le Hai can prevent half of the Knicks, defending James is equal to defending the Cavaliers. 80.00% up.

The Knicks’ defense strategy against James has not changed. Li Hai is the main defense. He consumes a lot of physical contact when he does not have the ball. .

In addition, on the offensive end, the opponent's energy will be consumed as much as possible, and James must not be allowed to play comfortably.

James was blocked by Li Hai on the first ball. He didn't choose to pass the ball, but planned to try his hand. Li Hai blocked it almost at the moment of James' shot, half a step away from Li Hai's explosive power. Come on, don't even blink.

James leaned back a little bit and avoided Li Hai's block, but the ball hit the iron.

When it was the Knicks' turn to attack, James also stuck close to Li Hai, and Li Hai also took the initiative to ask for the ball. The most basic thing in a duel between generals is not to be cowardly.

James' strength is indeed terrifying, and in the playoffs, he seems to be even more difficult to deal with in the regular season. When facing many defenders, Li Hai can squeeze out the shooting space, but he can't do it when facing James.

He started to accelerate directly, and when he was about to hit James, he suddenly turned his back and squeezed a step inside, then turned around and leaned back with his strength.

It was also a strike against iron. Before entering the Eastern Conference finals, Li Hai had never encountered enough single-man defense.

Not just two people, but the shooting percentage of the two teams was not high.

One is that everyone in the Eastern Conference finals has not let go, and more importantly, the two teams directly acted as if they were playing in the last few minutes. The defense has been extremely strong, as if they don't care what will happen in the next game.

After six games against the Pistons, the Cavaliers' defense seems to have changed. Maybe they have already prepared for the battle with the Knicks, and their defenses against the Knicks are very targeted.

At the end of the first quarter, both Li Hai and James hadn't scored yet, which is very rare.

James simply concentrated on organizing and let Larry Hughes and the two generals inside play.

Li Hai was also supporting his teammates during the offense, but his desire to score with his own hands was stronger than that of James. In the last minute of the first quarter, Li Hai finally hit a three-pointer from the outside.

This made James a little uncomfortable, but it was not easy to remember that Li Hai's shooting was indeed better than James'.

So in the first quarter, Li Hai scored 3 points and James scored 0 points, but Li Hai made two more shots than James.

In the contest of substitute players, the two sides were equally divided for the time being, and the high-intensity defense made Crawford feel uncomfortable, but Anderson Varejao of the Cavaliers hit a few balls in the paint.

And Varejao's scoring is all by grabbing offensive rebounds.

In fact, the Knicks' shooting rate is higher than that of the Cavaliers, but the rebounds are not strong, and the score is actually behind.

Eddie Curry still has old problems, Channing Frye is too thin, Gortat is still weak in strength, and with less playing time, it is still a bit jerky on such occasions.

After James reappeared, he increased his shots and finally hit the first goal. Li Hai also gradually began to adapt to the confrontation with James, and hit two goals in a row.

At the end of the first half, the Knicks temporarily fell behind 40:42.

When they entered the waiting room, Li Hai and others felt more tired than in previous games, as if they were going to exhaust their energy for the whole game at halftime.

"Rebounds, protect the rebounds, as long as we protect a few more rebounds, we can win." Coach Larry Brown shouted.

For the first time, he didn't talk about the details, which is enough to pay attention to the poor rebounding.

This was not the first time that Li Hai had a heavy defensive task, and he paid less attention to rebounding. At this time, the Knicks often had problems with rebounding.

"The other party should be very tired too. This is our home court. I believe we can put more pressure on them. Just a little bit, they can't stand it anymore." Li Hai sat for a while, but suddenly Said.

"Yes, our defense against James has reached the extreme, we should win the game." Marbury also got up and said.

"We need to completely tear through the opponent's defense. Li Hai's defense is so heavy, we need someone to stand up." Francis also had a firm look.

The defense shown by the Cavaliers did not worry the Knicks, but ignited the players' fighting spirit.

(End of this chapter)