nycdaug Chapter 272 Pick and Roll Machine
Chapter 272 Pick and Roll Machine
The game resumed, and the Trail Blazers inbounded the ball.
The basketball was passed to Lillard again by Yu Jiahao outside the sideline.
Lillard used his footwork to create an opening and passed the ball to Anfernee Simons.
Anfernee Simmons drove into the paint and easily dunked the ball.
Claxton is still on the three-point line, waiting for Yu Jiahao.
This is the problem that will arise when Yu Jiahao plays.
He was practically a pick-and-roll machine, and Claxton had to follow him, otherwise he would just watch helplessly as Yu Jiahao screened Wang Xiucheng or someone else, allowing Lillard to easily shoot three-pointers.
Once Claxton joins the game, the Nets' interior defense becomes vulnerable.
Yu Jiahao is a center who doesn't have a three-point shot, although he said in an interview that he shot fairly well for the national team.
But he never shot for the Trail Blazers.
But he has the ability to pull the opposing center out of position.
Nash stood on the sidelines and made a gesture.
This means switching to regional joint defense.
The Nets also opted for the same zone defense as the Trail Blazers.
The advantage of this is that Claxton doesn't need to come out with Yu Jiahao.
The downside is that no matter who gets Yu Jiahao, it won't affect his ability to set screens for Lillard.
In other words, the Nets chose to allow Lillard to score while guarding everyone else.
In particular, other players broke into the paint and scored.
Bang!
Lillard missed this shot.
With Yu Jiahao on the perimeter, Claxton easily secured the rebound.
This is another benefit of zone defense: it can effectively protect defensive rebounds.
Claxton looked up and saw that Wang Xiucheng had already accelerated, so he flicked his arm and passed the ball out.
Lillard immediately turned around and chased after him.
But how could they possibly catch up?
Wang Xiucheng slowed down slightly and waited a moment in order to receive the ball.
Once he gets control of the ball, nothing can stop Wang Xiucheng.
Wang Xiucheng charged in at a 45-degree angle and easily executed a windmill dunk, sending the ball into the basket.
Nash clapped on the sidelines, clapped twice, and then turned around and said something to his assistant coach.
Not only Nash, but even many of Portland's picky fans applauded the play, after all, Wang Xiucheng was last year's dunk contest champion, and the quality of his dunks was undeniable.
Caitlin Carrack stared at Wang Xiucheng as he passed by.
What an effortless dunk!
"Wang!" The black-clad woman next to him suddenly shouted at Wang Xiucheng as he passed by.
Wang Xiucheng glanced at it, then immediately turned back, pretending not to hear anything.
That's so damn dark!
Compared to her, Caitlin's status immediately rises.
Although she is a beautiful woman, especially among female athletes.
The Nets scored their first basket after the timeout.
Simmons returned to the baseline to inbound the ball to Lillard.
Yu Jiahao didn't even bother to get back on defense. He had the energy; he should have used it to set more screens for Lillard.
This time, however, Lillard didn't use Yu Jiahao's screen. Instead, he drove into the paint and, as Claxton rushed over, lobbed the ball into the basket, drawing a foul from the latter.
Lillard knows very well that Yu Jiahao's pick-and-roll can't be used all the time; sometimes, switching to a drive to the basket can be more effective.
Swish!
Additional penalty.
Lillard didn't attempt a three-pointer, yet he still managed to score three points in one possession.
And so, the two sides went back and forth until the last minute of the game.
The Trail Blazers attack.
Anfernee Simmons was substituted out by this year's seventh overall pick, Seldon Sharp, a Canadian player and fellow countryman of Nash.
This is a player with explosive physical abilities. It is said that he jumped a height of 124cm during his college physical test.
This is an even more exaggerated figure than Wang Xiucheng's.
This is why he was selected by the Trail Blazers with the seventh pick even though he hadn't played a single college game.
Sheldon Sharp dribbled the ball up the court and suddenly cut inside past Yu Jiahao, then pulled up for a jump shot, which went in off the backboard.
Seldon Sharp scored his first point of the day.
Seldon Sharp immediately turned around to face Wang Xiucheng.
If we're talking about who he's most interested in across the entire league, it's definitely Wang Xiucheng.
The two are about the same height and wingspan, with Seldon Sharp even having a better jumping ability.
However, Wang Xiucheng's passing ability is something Shelton Sharp greatly envies.
He really wanted to learn how to pass the ball from Wang Xiucheng.
But he knew he didn't have that opportunity.
Let's see if we can learn anything on the field.
Just like Wang Xiucheng learning other people's signature moves on the field.
Wang Xiucheng gave Seldon Sharp a push, turned around to receive the ball, and then glanced at Seldon Sharp.
Seldon Sharp did not back down; he stood almost directly in front of Wang Xiucheng.
Wang Xiucheng was slightly surprised. The only ones in the league who would dare to defend him like this were probably rookies.
With a thud, Wang Xiucheng dribbled between his legs and changed direction, creating a slight opening for Sheldon Sharp. He then dribbled between his legs again and simultaneously turned to pull the ball back.
In an instant, Wang Xiucheng moved to Seldon Sharp's side.
With a flick of his wrist, the basketball was passed to Durant, who had returned to the court for the final two minutes.
Durant glanced at the time; there were 44 seconds left. He then took a probing step to break through and launched a long two-pointer.
Swish!
The basketball went into the net.
25:25.
The two teams tied again.
The Trail Blazers had possession of the ball. Lillard dribbled forward and, seeing that Selton Sharp was in good form, he found an opportunity to pass the ball back to Selton Sharp.
Seldon Sharp didn't hold back either, taking his second shot of the game against Joe Harris, and it was a three-pointer.
The basketball spun and fell into the net.
The Trail Blazers led 28-25, a three-point advantage.
There are 22 seconds left.
Lillard was very pleased with the rookie's performance, so he reached out and gave Seldon Sharp a high five as he passed by.
Lillard believes the team did a great job with this year's draft, having Yu Jiahao in the frontcourt who is a perfect fit for him, and Shelton Sharp with great potential on the perimeter.
Perhaps it won't be long before the team returns to championship contention.
But can I wait that long?
Or, to put it another way, does the team still have confidence in itself?
Lillard stopped thinking about these things and ran back with Joe Harris.
Seldon Sharp volunteered to defend Wang Xiucheng, and Lillard naturally agreed.
Defending against Wang Xiucheng is a very strenuous task, so having the young Seldon Sharp defend against Wang Xiucheng is a way for him to save some energy.
This is very beneficial for the offensive team.
Wang Xiucheng carried the ball to the frontcourt, glanced at the time, and then began to run down the clock.
Everyone, including Durant and Lillard, retreated to the baseline or corner, creating a completely open space.
As everyone knows, Wang Xiucheng is going to play solo.
Seldon Sharp is on high alert.
With 5 seconds left, Durant and Zeng Fanbo, positioned at the two baseline corners, started running.
At this moment, Wang Xiucheng also made his move.
Wang Xiucheng dribbled the ball to the right, his body hunched over, as if he were trying to force his way into the paint.
Seldon Sharp immediately moved to the right, but was prepared to stop at any moment.
He studied many of Wang Xiucheng's videos, especially the last minute of each game.
Therefore, he knew that if he came in at the last minute, Wang Xiucheng would definitely shoot a three-pointer.
This is his habit, but this habit is becoming known to more and more people.
Sure enough, after seeing Wang Xiucheng make a breakthrough, Sheldon Sharp suddenly pulled the ball back, took a step back, and then caught the ball.
Seldon Sharp's eyes lit up slightly, and he immediately took a step forward. When he saw Wang Xiucheng squat down, he jumped up with all his might.
At the same time, he reached out and blocked the basketball that Wang Xiucheng was holding above his head.
But the next moment, his expression changed slightly!