Chapter 724 Five Consecutive Triple-Doubles (Second Update!)

After Tang Si's fever subsided, Tang Tian returned to the team.

Family is life, but basketball is a profession, and being a player requires professionalism.

The Pelicans' next opponent is the Trail Blazers.

The Blazers fell apart this past summer, losing four of last season's five starters.

Aldridge, Matthews, Batum, and Lopez went to four different teams, leaving Lillard alone.

Such a change would, in theory, turn them from a playoff team directly into a rebuilding team.

But the result was completely different from what was expected. With the strong rise of sophomore CJ McCollum, the Trail Blazers directly entered the two-gun era.

Moreover, the two-gun team has been in hot form recently, winning four consecutive games and reaching seventh place in the Western Conference.

The Pelicans had a sweet schedule at the beginning of the season, winning every game, but entering late December, the schedule began to become difficult.

The Pelicans aim to win 26 consecutive games, but in addition, the players are also working hard to continue setting records for Tang Tian.

Although Tang Tian missed the last game, if he continues to get a triple-double this time, his consecutive triple-double record will still be extended.

This game was played in Portland, the Moda Center was as packed as Madison before, and now every team is vying to end the Pelicans' winning streak.

At the beginning of the game, the Pelicans, like the previous games, worked hard to create opportunities for Tang Tian to get data.

A few days ago, Tang Tian was worried that his son's sleep quality was poor and his condition was average, while the opposite Trail Blazers made consecutive shots and were in hot form.

This approach put them into a passive position at the beginning.

After the first quarter, the Pelicans trailed the Trail Blazers by 8 points, 22-30.

During the timeout between sections, Stevens reminded the players to focus on the game, and Tang Tian also asked the players to stop deliberately blocking positions and giving him boards.

In the second and third quarters, the Pelicans players adjusted their mentality, and the Pelicans' state was able to recover.

However, the opponent's two guns were just average tonight, scoring 60+ points in three quarters, and the Trail Blazers still held a 10-point lead.

In the last quarter, Tang Tian finally recovered and scored consecutively to help the Pelicans chase points.

With the firepower of both guns, he finally tied the score 30 seconds before the end.

The other members of the Pelicans also tried their best. Ariza basically didn't rest and suffered from leg cramps.

But at the critical moment, habits become natural. After McCrum's throw failed, both Jokic and Aminu instinctively gave way to Tang Tian.

As a result, Harkless grabbed the frontcourt board and passed it to Lillard on the outside.

Lillard made a three-pointer against Holiday. The ball scored and Holiday hit, and the four-pointer was successful.

This big-hearted goal also helped the Trail Blazers win the game.

The Pelicans' winning streak is set at 25 games.

After the game, the fans cheered loudly, and Lillard waved his hands with great momentum.

In this game, the two guns combined to score 70+ points, with a hit rate of 60%. Cheating is average, but this is their recent state.

For the Pelicans, Tang Tian scored a triple-double with 25 points, 10 rebounds and 11 assists, extending the streak of triple-doubles to five games.

But as he said in the press conference after the game, losing made that not mean much.

In the training session the next day, before Stevens arrived, Tang Tian gathered the players together in the locker room.

"Guys, I know you've been trying to help me win the MVP lately, but stop doing that, winning is more important."

Tang Tian said to all the team members.

Others are helping him, and the team has been winning, so it's hard for him to speak.

But now that the team is losing, this is an opportunity to say this.

Peak Westbrook's experience card looks good, but he doesn't really want to keep experiencing it.

Triple-doubles, or things like statistics, will come naturally when your strength is high, there is no point in trying to get them.

On the contrary, this approach will definitely hurt the team in the end.

And just like when playing the Trail Blazers, habits become natural, and this habit will become fatal in the playoffs.

So before it becomes a trend, it must be changed back.

Tang Tian spoke, and the team members nodded one after another.

Originally, they were helping Tang Tian.

It was a pity that the winning streak was ended, but they can't keep winning. Judging from the reaction of the players, losing this game is actually a good thing.

There is bad news and good news. After playing against the Trail Blazers, Davis fully recovered from his injury.

He has participated in full confrontation training and is ready to return.

The next game for the Pelicans is against the Pacers at home.

Before the game, a reporter asked about Davis' comeback.

"The last game they lost to the Trail Blazers ended their winning streak. Should the coaching staff consider letting Davis return early?"

The reporter asked an afterthought, but it is indeed a very meaningful question.

Davis recovered from his injury within a week. He can play if he wants, and the game against the Trail Blazers only happened two days ago.

The Pelicans had only lost by 4 points. If Davis played, they would most likely be able to continue their winning streak.

"No, we won't do that. AD's health is more important to us than winning streak. What we need to consider is the entire season and the subsequent playoffs."

To the reporter's surprise, Stevens answered simply.

It can be felt that this is the truest thought in his heart.

"But that was a 25-game winning streak. You had a chance to tie or even surpass the Heat's 27-game winning streak and create the second-longest winning streak in history."

The reporter reminded.

Stevens smiled.

"That sounds good, but I think it's too long. Players will do their best for that record, even if they are injured (referring to Ariza). If that's the case, winning streak may not be a good thing, but now, no need If we consider the issue of winning streak, they will no longer have so much psychological pressure.”

Stevens' remarks drew nods from reporters.

This is indeed true.

Although he has not opened his eyes and does not know how fiercely the Warriors fought hard to win 73 games in history, leading to their failure in the playoffs, the Rockets are an example.

In order to win 22 consecutive games, Yao Ming fought hard until he was injured, and Tracy McGrady fought through injuries so much that the next season was completely eliminated.

So the winning streak is exciting and inspiring, but blindly pursuing records may not be a good thing.

Just like Tang Tian's idea, when the Pelicans' offense is well adjusted, such a winning streak will naturally happen again, and it may be even more intense.

Perhaps to verify what Stevens said, in the game against the Pacers that night, the Pelicans basically gave their opponents no chance.

The lead was 10 points in the first quarter, then it went to 20 points at halftime, and by the end of the third quarter it was on pace for 30 points.

The Pelicans' main force clocked out of get off work in the third quarter, and they eventually beat the Pacers 112-90.

After Hibbert and West left one after another, George experienced the feeling of being alone. The Pacers really couldn't do it tonight.

After the Pelicans unfortunately lost to the Trail Blazers in their last game, they immediately used a big victory to justify themselves.

Thank you for the tip in 2020.