basketball hero

Chapter 842 Embark on the journey of competing for 5 consecutive championships
Ying Xiong has undisputedly won the scoring and stealing titles. Although the regular season MVP trophy has not been finally announced, it is already a certainty that he will win this award again after a season.

This season's NBA has undergone reforms. The major awards of the regular season will no longer be announced one by one during the playoffs, but will be held on June 6 at the Basketball City Park at Port 27 in Manhattan, New York. The league's first annual awards ceremony announced together.

By then, the finals will be over, and the awards ceremony will naturally attract more attention.

Of course, the award ceremony will be held after the finals, but the voting for awards such as regular season MVP has ended before the start of the playoffs.Therefore, the performance of the candidates in the playoffs is not included in the judging awards.

The Raptors are preparing for the first game of the first round of the playoffs. For the dynastic team that has won 4 consecutive championships, playoff experience is the least problem.Their biggest problem may be their hunger for championships.Of course, this is not a problem for Ibaka and Tucker who just joined, and it is not a problem for this year's rookies Poeltl and Siakam.

The Bulls have the "three rejections" of Jimmy Butler, Dwyane Wade, and Rajon Rondo, plus blue-collar center Robin Lopez and insider Nick Ramirotic. A good team to deal with.There is no doubt about their defense and toughness, and they have enough experience in the playoffs. The only problem is offense.Simply put, there is a serious shortage of space on the offensive end.

The best outside shooting of the Bulls' five starting players is actually Mirotic who plays the 5th position, and the shooting of Rondo and Wade in the backcourt, especially the 4-pointers, is simply a disaster.Under today's league rules, it is very difficult for a team without a stable outside shot to go far in the playoffs.

Raptors VS Bulls, the outside world is naturally one-sidedly optimistic about the Raptors who have won 4 consecutive championships. The only difference is that they need a few games to advance.

On April 4, the first game of the first round of the playoffs between the Raptors and the Bulls will be held at the Air Canada Center Arena.There are so many fans at the scene, it is naturally impossible to have a vacant seat.The fans of the home team don't want to miss the team's first 16 consecutive championships since the new century.

In this game, the starting lineup of the Raptors at home is: center - Serge Ibaka, power forward - Patrick Patterson, small forward - DeMar DeRozan, shooting guard - should Xiong, point guard - Jeremy Lin.

The starting lineup of the Bulls in the away game is: center - Robin Lopez, power forward - Nick Ramirotic, small forward - Jimmy Butler, shooting guard - Dwyane Wade, point guard - — Rajon Rondo.

The commentators for this game are Greg Sager and Mark Jackson.

"Mark, it's the playoffs, and the atmosphere is getting tense!" Greg Sager said with a smile.

"Yeah, Greg, it's the most intense time of the year again," Mark Jackson said.

"Mark, what do you think Chicago will do against Toronto?" Greg Sager asked.

"Greg, you are making things difficult for me. This is the secret of the Chicago coaching staff!" Mark Jackson said with a smile.

"Don't be humble Mark, tell me your opinion! Hahaha..." Greg Sager smiled slyly.

"Uh... I think Chicago's advantage lies in defense, especially half-court defense, so they may try to slow down the speed of the game as much as possible and compete with the opponent for success rate instead of playing fast offense!" Mark Jackson said.

"Well, it's really possible, let's watch the game to confirm all this!" Greg Sager said.

Serge Ibaka and Robin Lopez prepare for a jump ball near the middle circle, and the game is about to start.

The sound of the fans at the scene was louder and louder, and the excitement was beyond words.

As the referee tossed the ball into the air, Ibaka, who bounced faster, hit the ball before Robin Lopez, who was taller than him, and dialed the ball to DeRozan.

DeRozan gave the ball to Jeremy Lin, and the game officially started.

Jeremy Lin slowly dribbled the ball over, and played a pick-and-roll at the top of the arc.

However, Rondo and Robin Lopez have very rich defensive experience, and they did not allow Jeremy Lin to get any good starting opportunities.

Jeremy Lin gave the ball to Ying Xiong, who was defended by the Bulls' wing defender Jimmy Butler.

"Chicago really asked Jimmy to match up!" Greg Sager said.

"Jimmy is the best matchup player in Chicago," Mark Jackson said.

"But Jimmy is also the main offensive point in the team. Will defending affect his offense?" Greg Sager asked.

"Well, sometimes you can't choose. You are a dog. Your paper strength and regular season record are not as good as your opponents. Is it possible to face the best player in this league and want to save the energy of the team's star? Dwyane, a veteran, going to defend?" Mark Jackson asked rhetorically.

Facing Jimmy Butler's defense, Ying Xiong took the ball to the line with the help of Ibaka's screen, and made an emergency stop near the free throw line for a jumper-but no!
Mirotic grabbed the backcourt rebound and handed it to Rondo to advance.

"Jimmy's defense is very smart, close and far away, trying to make Ying fall into a brief hesitation when attacking." Mark Jackson explained.

Because the Bulls' outside shooting ability is really shabby, the Raptors players will try to shrink back when facing the opponent's screen.Give you Rondo and Wade certain 3-point opportunities, but try to pinch your breakthroughs and points.

Wade received the ball here, facing DeRozan's defense, holding the ball and breaking through Mirotic.

Facing Mirotic, the Raptors didn't dare to let it go, making Patterson stick tight.

Mirotic made a fake shot and made a real jump, went to the inside, and was interfered by Ibaka for a layup-missed!
Ying Xiong took the rebound and came over with the ball by himself.

Ying Xiong used the pick-and-roll at the top of the arc, changed direction with his crotch and cut inward, breaking through Patterson in the bottom corner.

Patterson shakes Mirotic for a 3-point shot—and no!

Robin Lopez received the rebound and handed it to Rondo to advance.

For the Bulls, Wade's mid-range jumper -- still misses!
But looking back, Ying Xiong's throw to the basket was interfered by Robin Lopez, and he missed it!
"Mark, you are right, Chicago is trying to press the rhythm! You see, Toronto's speed can't get up, it has no hit rate in halftime, and it hasn't scored yet!" Greg Sager said.

"This is almost the best way for Chicago to hold off Toronto. Otherwise, if the attack is wide open, not only will Robin not be able to keep up with the opponent's speed, but Dwyane, who is already a veteran, will not be able to consume his physical strength!" Mark Jackson explained.

(End of this chapter)