Six Hundred and Forty-Two: Extreme Back (Four K Chapters)
It is generally difficult for NBA-level stars to be completely contained. If it happens that this star is still in a very hot offensive state today, then he will have no disadvantage on the offensive end.
Therefore, there have been many classic star-to-star confrontations in NBA history. And this kind of drama is exactly what fans like most.
The 2001 Eastern Conference semifinal between the Raptors and the 76ers was the most exciting playoff duel in the 21st century. Iverson averaged 33.7 points per game in the series, including 50+ points in the second and fifth games. Not to be outdone, "half-human half-god" Carter scored 50 points in the third game and averaged 30.4 points per game in the series. The two faced each other for seven consecutive games, and the fans were hooked.
In 2006, two of the best players of the '03 generation teamed up to give the crowd a spectacular scoring show in Cleveland. The Heat star Wade scored 44 points in the away game, and James scored 47 points in 16 of 25 shots at home, and led the team to take the final victory. This game showed the talents of the two of Janeway incisively and vividly, and was regarded as a classic.
Since then, every Janeway confrontation has been as intense and exciting as Mars hitting the earth.
When it comes to the classic star mutual explosion, how can we not mention Arenas in 2006?
Only two people in NBA history can score 60+ points on the Lakers, one is Chamberlain and the other is Arenas.
On December 18, 2006, in the Wizards' away game against the Lakers, the "General" made 17 of 32 shots and scored a terrifying 60 points. Among them, he even scored 16 points in overtime, completely ending the suspense. Bryant was more efficient this game, scoring 45 points on 15-of-24 shooting, but even so, he could only watch Arenas take the win away from Staples.
Of course, the biggest winners of this game are the fans, who witnessed a superb performance from two super scorers.
In 2006, there were many classic star fight scenes, such as Nash and Kidd. On December 8, 2006, the Suns defeated the Nets with an exaggerated score of 161 to 157. The collision between the two teams has become a classic representative of gorgeous confrontation. Kidd scored a super triple-double of 38 points, 14 rebounds and 14 assists in the whole game, and Nash scored a gorgeous data of 42 points and 13 assists to fight back. In the end, the two scored 80 points and 27 assists together, which can be called the craziest performance in the point guard duel.
Facts have proved that the scene of star explosions has always been the "standard" in NBA games. Sometimes, the two sides are so intractable that neither side can completely bring down the opponent.
At this time, it depends on which of the two sides has the higher upper limit. Whoever can perform better in the extreme state is the ultimate winner.
Today, this game at Bankers Life Arena will undoubtedly become another classic in the history of NBA star duel.
On the court, George Hill is controlling the basketball. Hill has only scored 11 points today, because most of the Pacers' points came from their star Paul George.
Hill was waiting outside the arc with the ball, and everyone knew what he was waiting for.
George and Link were fiercely entangled, and George couldn't completely shake Link away. Everyone is waiting for George to catch the ball.
In the end, George chose to play a hand-in-hand with Hill.
"Damn!" Link yelled, slowing down sharply. Because if Link directly knocked George Hill to the ground without slowing down, he would have to pay for a foul.
Taking advantage of Link's opportunity to slow down, "Pickled Pepper" took the basketball and drove straight in, killing the inside line!
At this time, guarding the inside line of the Grizzlies was Festus Ezeli, a second-year student. Gasol consumes too much today, and can't keep up with the progress in the fast pace. As a result, Ezeli got more playing time than usual.
Ezeli was very brave, he took a decisive step forward, took off against George, and tried to block George. But George is even more fearless. He has scored 40 points so far! He fears no one!
As a result, people only saw George and Ezeli slamming into the air! But in the end, Ezeli was directly knocked out of the bottom line, and George made a tough dunk!
"Dunks! Poor Ezeli, he was very brave, but he didn't get the end he hoped for!"
George shouted at Ezeli after the dunk landed, very domineering. Azeri shook his head pitifully, the impact of George just now was too strong, and he couldn't resist it at all.
The 42nd point of the game, Paul George broke his career high score!
With the Grizzlies and Link's defense, George's performance today is evident.
"It's alright, you're doing well, you're just a little bit unlucky." Link walked up and patted Azeri on the shoulder, and said something comforting.
Azeley's expression softened a bit.
George's deduction just now was indeed too violent and too shocking. The next time George hands over again, Link would rather knock Hill down than let George break through so easily.
The only one who can stop George today is himself.
However, Link then looked up at the big screen at the scene, is there a next time?
At this point, the battle between the two sides became 103 to 105, and the Pacers took a key 2-point lead with George's just dunks. There were only 25 seconds left in the game time, Link pouted, maybe there was no next time.
Dave Jogel immediately called for a timeout and arranged the tactics of this last attack.
All the cameras were on Link, and he was now the key to deciding the outcome of the game.
Link's performance today was also very good. So far, he has scored 39 points, 9 rebounds and 10 assists. The quasi-triple-double data.
He and George both scored beautiful data, otherwise how can it be said to be exploding each other? The wonderful counterattack performances of Link and George were the main tone of today's game.
There is no doubt that the final attack today will definitely fall into Link's hands. Whether George can defend Link once in a crucial round and whether Link can continue his miraculous scoring performance has become the final suspense today.
Link sat on the bench, panting. Wanting to score crazy points against the Pacers, the second-best defense in the league, is a very physical test.
Of course, Link believes that George must be exhausted now. After all, trying to score 40+ points on the Grizzlies and himself is also physical work.
If there is no chance of winning the game later, Link will not hesitate to choose to drag the game into overtime.
In overtime, Link believes he can handle George! After all, physical fitness is Link's forte.
After four quarters of the game, it was time to decide the winner.
Jogel's first plan was similar to what Link had imagined. The Grizzlies would create opportunities for Link beyond the three-point arc to fight for one-hit kills.
But if the opportunity doesn't come, Link will need to use cover to break through. As for what to do after the breakthrough, that's Link's business.
"Link, don't force the lore, we should seek stability. If the game goes into overtime, Hibbert will definitely not be able to hold it. Then, it's time for you to score crazy points. Go ahead and take good care of it."
Before the game started, Quinn Snyder caught Link and whispered a few words.
Link nodded slightly, and it seemed that Snyder had a clear judgment on the situation. Although only an assistant coach, Snyder takes every game very seriously.
In the final 25 seconds, the Pacers were only 25 seconds away from winning. All the fans stood up, convinced that this was Paul George's night.
Score 42 points, beat Link, break the Grizzlies' unbeaten streak, continue the Pacers' unbeaten streak... well, it all looks good, the script should go in that direction .
But Link's game never follows the script.
"Defense! Defense! Defense!"
The Grizzlies had just hit the ball, and the entire Bankers Life Arena felt like a volcanic eruption. The yellow cornfield was rolling, and the atmosphere of the game was pushed to its climax.
The undefeated golden body of the two teams must be broken. Of course Link knows that no team can maintain a complete victory in the 82 regular season games, and the loss is a matter of time.
But not today!
Link encountered George's tight defense, but Link was fortunate that the Pacers did not double-team.
Now, the Pacers have reverted to the kind of defense that started the game with both ends in the middle. They didn't let Link or anyone else on the Grizzlies shoot 3-pointers, eliminating the possibility of losing.
Conley first controlled the time on the outside, and when the game was over with 18 seconds left, Link lifted it up and took over the ball control from Conley!
At the scene, the shouts of Pacers fans grew louder. As if the louder the shout, the stronger the Pacers' defense would be.
George is waiting! He doesn't want to play this game of scoring with Link anymore, and now, he's going to end the game!
In 10 seconds, Link began to alternately dribble the crotch from beyond the three-point line, looking for a rhythm. Black and White Bears came up and made two screens, but the results were not good. It seems that the tactics are not implemented. Link waved his hand, he wants to play singles!
Link suddenly accelerated to break through, but George did not lose his position. Meanwhile, Hibbert went to the basket and covered it all over.
Both three-pointers and baskets can't work, Link's only option is to make a mid-range shot!
"George defended very well and always stayed in front of Link. This summer, the two of them were sweating in training camp together. It's so much for each other! It's not easy for Link to pass George!"
Link gritted his teeth, not only did his breakthrough not attract the double team, but even George did not throw off. It appears that the only option now is to drag the game into overtime.
Link suddenly stopped and retreated. Countless stars were swayed by Link's move, and Bynum was even knocked over by Link.
But instead of making a fool of yourself, Paul George was like a magnet and posted it the moment Link retreated!
As Reggie Miller said, the two of them know each other too well!
"The game is over, Link!" George yelled. There were only a few seconds before the end of the game, and Link couldn't continue to dribble because he stepped back.
Stopping the ball when the middle distance was strictly guarded, Link was almost forced into a dead corner.
Direct shot? No, George just waited for him to shoot directly. Link can guarantee that if he shoots directly, he will not be greeted by a goal, but by George's big adventure!
So, under the circumstance of being forced to death, Link chose to jump in place and turn over and make a fallback jumper!
"This... Link is making his shot more difficult!" Reggie Miller was shocked, this shot selection was too difficult!
But in fact, Link can only use this complicated action to win a shot of space for himself.
George really blocked the ball very well. He is tall and has long arms, and his bounce is not bad. If it wasn't for Link's back angle, 100% of the ball would have been blocked.
George was sealed on Link's face, and it stands to reason that this is already a very successful defense. But George, who was in the air, was very nervous.
He knew better than anyone that he was just half a beat slower! And this guy Link, even if he just took the opportunity of a small half-shot...
Link shot before his vision was completely blocked. Because the angle of his back was too large, he fell directly on his back after he shot.
George turned back for the first time, and found that the flight trajectory of the basketball was very positive, and it looked like it was going to enter!
But the first time, the basketball hit the front of the basket!
At that moment, the fans of the entire Bankers Life Arena raised their arms, and Larry Bird jumped from his seat in excitement.
Won! ?
Link sat up from the ground and just saw the basketball fall for the second time.
He knew that there was no problem with his shot. The reason why I hit the front of the basket is because I just leaned back too much. However, this little episode will not affect the hit rate!
The next second, the basketball goes through the net. At the same time, the backboard glowed red.
Link and all the Indianapolis fans had a big joke!
"The ball is in! Link successfully equalized the score at the last moment! The goal was too difficult, and George didn't lose his position from the beginning to the end. But Link was still able to score and scored the 41st point of the half. Ladies and gentlemen, the battle will continue!"
Although Miller supported the Pacers, Link's goal was so wonderful that he couldn't help shouting it out.
Link sat on the ground with a relaxed smile, looking at the breathless Paul George.
"Now, the game is really over, George."
George reluctantly hammered the floor. He was only a fraction of a second away from completely blocking Link, just a fraction of a second!
Link stood up with the help of his teammates. He scored 41 points with a very relaxed expression.
Because Link knew very well that once the game went into overtime, it was his rhythm.