God's hand behind the scenes

Chapter 426
For all the teams that advanced to the second round, the major awards awarded by the league are just a small episode, and their goal is still the golden O'Brien Cup.The atmosphere within the Pistons was also filled with tension before the big game. Although their regular season record was better than that of the Raptors, Brown didn't think they could beat their opponents with confidence.

When coaching the 76ers before, because they were in the same division, Brown had to play against this Canadian team many times every season, so he naturally knew their horror.More importantly, the two new stars in the Raptors are improving every year. No one knows where their limits are, but it is obvious that they are stronger than last season.

Last year's offseason, the Raptors did not make large-scale reinforcements, but only made minor repairs to the lineup. For the management, retaining the twin stars of McGrady and Carter is the top priority, and everything else can be temporarily. Set aside for now.However, the energy of coach Wilkens is not as good as before, so that he can bring the Raptors to the third position in the Eastern Conference, which undoubtedly proves their strength.In fact, Brown has always believed that the Raptors are one of the most talented teams in the league, and the Pistons are far inferior in this respect.

Things that worried him still happened as usual.Although the first game was the home court of the Pistons, the Raptors players were not stage frightened, especially Tracy McGrady, who was as excited as if he was playing in Toronto.He was very active at the beginning of the game. He hit 3 three-pointers with his best dry jumper on the outside, leading the team to an 11-0 start.

You must know that Prince, the number one outside gate of the Pistons, is responsible for defending McGrady in this game. If even he can't limit McGrady, what else can others do?Soon Hamilton told everyone that he could still score!

In fact, Hamilton has never been known for his explosive scoring ability. Many times you will feel that he has not taken many shots in a game, but when you look at the statistics after the game, you will send out something like "Oh my god this guy You actually got 20+?" Such emotion.Clearly, Hamilton is a player who will make himself disappear.

However, this time he did not intend to do what he did in previous games, because the team now needs someone to break the deadlock. As the team's scoring leader, Hamilton will do his part.When it was the Pistons' turn to attack, he first brought Carter to the bottom line, then let Thomas make a screen for himself, and after he came out from the basket, he let Big Ben make a second screen, at a 45-degree angle three-point line The ball was received nearby.Taking a step sideways, taking off, the ball passed Carter's fingertips, spun and flew into the basket.

Since hitting this three-pointer, Hamilton has been out of control. He actually started to confront McGrady, and his shooting percentage was even higher.Of course, this is also a normal thing. Carter, who is in charge of defending him, still puts more energy on the offensive end, but Prince is a full-time defender of Tracy McGrady.

Driven by Hamilton, the Pistons gradually approached the point difference, which annoyed Wilkens.The old man has always thought that his team is the number one in the league, and McGrady's full-fire performance at the beginning of the first quarter has further stabilized his self-confidence.But I didn't expect to be slapped in the face by the Pistons so soon, it would probably be a little embarrassing for anyone.

Originally Wilkens believed that Carter and McDyess could give McGrady some support, but he underestimated the physical strength and toughness of the Pistons players.Carter was obsessed with the double-minded Hamilton, and Billups occasionally freed up his hands to help, not to mention McDyess, who can be said to be the best defensive player in the paint. It's hard to stand alone.

Basically, the entire first quarter was when McGrady and Hamilton faced each other. Compared with McGrady fighting alone, Hamilton received much more support, and he was more willing to pass the ball than McGrady.Of course, as the point forward that Chang Wei focused on training at the beginning, McGrady is still very good at sorting out the offense, but his teammates are not very good. Most of the balls he passes are turned into Pistons. Under McGrady, he can only attack with the ball by himself.

However, his performance was indeed very good. He was able to fight the Pistons inextricably with one person supporting the team. At the end of the first quarter, the Raptors were only behind 28 to 30, and among the 28 points, McGrady alone Got 17 points.And Hamilton is not inferior. Although he only scored 12 points, he sent 4 assists. It can be said that he is the key to the Pistons leading the Raptors at the end of the first quarter. Big surprise.

But this is not the end. With the Raptors' talent and scoring ability, the Pistons' ability to take the lead in the first quarter does not mean that they will win the game, and the 2-point advantage is about zero.Brown doesn't know whether Hamilton can continue to have such a hot touch in the next time. As an excellent head coach, he must prepare for the worst.

Brown is very clear that the depth of the bench is the biggest weakness of the Pistons, so he let the starting five tigers play the first quarter, which makes him have to replace the substitute at the beginning of the second quarter, otherwise the main players will be in the tense playoffs. There is absolutely no way to stick to the end.In order not to reduce the strength of the lineup too much, Brown left Billups on the field and asked him to take the bench against the Raptors.Brown believes that with such a commander on the court, the Pistons' offense can't be worse.

Billups has no complaints. In the first quarter, his consumption is relatively small. Most of the time, he only needs to pass the ball to Hamilton just right, and make a few three-pointers by the way.It's a pity that the Pistons' substitutes are indeed insufficient. Except for him and Crawford, basically no one can score independently. Simmons can only act as an arrow for a fast break and counterattack, or seize the gap and attack the basket. The old Manning Not to mention Heywood, who is still inexperienced.

Like Brown, Wilkens also let Carter lead the bench, but Carter's scoring ability alone can almost match the entire Pistons bench.Although Simmons tried very hard to limit him, but in the case that the defensive ability is completely unable to compare with Prince, his defense can only be regarded as insufficient for Carter.

The weakness of the rotation lineup forced Brown to replace the main force less than 5 minutes into the second quarter. At this time, the Raptors had overtaken by 10 points. This is not good news for the Pistons.

(End of this chapter)