nycdaug Chapter 237 Evenly matched
Chapter 237 Evenly matched
It wasn't just Wang Xiucheng who got moving.
Claxton began moving towards Wang Xiucheng.
Wang Xiucheng first made a baseline run to shake off Reggie Jackson, and then immediately turned back and ran towards the top of the arc.
At the same time, Durant also started running towards the paint, drawing away the defender and also attracting Zubac's attention.
Benxi immediately passed the ball to Wang Xiucheng.
Kennard, who was originally defending Benci, instantly decided to abandon Benci and rush towards Wang Xiucheng.
After receiving the ball, Wang Xiucheng took a step back to avoid Kennard's hand.
Immediately, Wang Xiucheng threw the basketball.
Swish!
The basketball, with almost no spin, traced an arc before falling into the net.
Three-pointer, in!
"Guaranteed Three-Point Shot Card" activated!
Wang Xiucheng held up three fingers and shook them.
Before they could even celebrate, Wang Xiucheng immediately followed Reggie Jackson, who was already speeding up for a fast break.
Zubac saw that Wang Xiucheng had marked Reggie Jackson, so he abandoned his plan to make a long pass and passed the ball to George instead.
Time was running out, and George took a shot himself, but unfortunately it didn't go in.
The first quarter ended when the basketball hit the rim.
George muttered something with his head down, seemingly quite unhappy about missing the shot.
The Nets are currently leading the Clippers 24-19 on the road, a 5-point advantage.
After high-fiving Durant and several others, Wang Xiucheng then high-fiving the rest of the bench players in an assembly line.
Nash was at a loss for words, finding it both funny and frustrating.
He brought Durant in so that Durant could score.
As a result, Durant didn't even get to touch the ball.
It seems that Durant has been slacking off since Wang Xiucheng arrived.
This is completely different from the Big Three era.
At that time, Durant worked himself to the bone to prove that the Big Three could succeed.
Especially when Irving can't play.
“You’ll be leading the team in a bit,” Nash said to Durant, whose face wasn’t even sweating.
Durant nodded, then saw Nash talking to the others, so he tilted his head and said to Wang Xiucheng, "If we win today, I'll take you to a nightclub tonight. Hollywood stars go there often, and Scarlett Johansson is supposedly a shareholder, so she occasionally shows up."
Seeing Durant's mysterious demeanor, Wang Xiucheng initially thought it was something important.
The result was this.
I am a righteous gentleman!
"It's your treat." Wang Xiucheng extended his fist and bumped fists with Durant.
The two of them immediately acted as if nothing had happened, as if they hadn't said anything at all.
Depp looked at Wang Xiucheng, then at his daughter beside him, and gave a wry smile.
To any outsider, his daughter seemed very obedient.
But only Depp knows just how rebellious she really is.
Especially during this period, he was preoccupied with the divorce case and had no time to care for her.
As a result, she got herself into a lot of trouble.
Perhaps Wang Xiucheng can change her.
Depp thought to himself.
The break ended with a lively cheerleading performance.
The second quarter then began.
Durant started the game with four reserves and faced off against the Clippers' reserves.
Even if Durant wanted to slack off, he had to show some skill in the second quarter.
Because the Clippers' bench players are actually not weak.
Powell, Mann, Batum, and Wall, Wang Xiucheng's senior teammate on the Rockets.
John Wall was traded to the Brooklyn Nets along with Wang Xiucheng.
The Nets didn't hold back Wall; they bought him outright and didn't even bring him to New York.
Wang Xiucheng and Wol had a relatively good relationship.
When Wang Xiucheng and Jalen Green were with the Rockets, they often trained with John Wall.
Therefore, Wang Xiucheng knew that Wall, who was only 32 years old this year, was far from running out of gas.
The game has started, and the two sides are evenly matched, much like in the first quarter.
The difference is that the shooting percentage was much better than in the first quarter.
With 6 minutes remaining in the game, the score was 39-37, with the Nets leading by two points.
That's equivalent to the Nets scoring 15 points and the Clippers scoring 18 points in the second quarter.
Durant seemed surprised by how difficult his opponent would be; his chest heaved as soon as he sat down, and he was breathing heavily.
Wall scored 8 points in 6 minutes, including two three-pointers and two free throws.
This is also why the Clippers were able to keep the score close.
Wang Xiucheng stood up, took off his coat, and prepared to go on stage.
Along with Wang Xiucheng, Ben West, Claxton, Seth Curry, and Joe Harris also took to the court.
Meanwhile, the Clippers on the other side also made a substitution.
Wall's performance seems to have earned him more playing time, and he remains on the court.
Wang Xiucheng walked towards Wall and raised his fist.
Wall seemed to be taken aback for a moment, but the next moment he still reached out his fist and bumped it with Wang Xiucheng's.
Wall did not expect Wang Xiucheng to do this.
After all, the two didn't actually have much interaction.
The referee blew the whistle to resume the game.
The Nets have possession of the ball.
Benci didn't receive the ball this time because Wang Xiucheng had shaken off Reggie Jackson.
Claxton passed the ball to Wang Xiucheng.
Wang Xiucheng first protected the ball, then leaned back slightly, and then turned around, using Reggie Jackson as the pivot.
Just as Wang Xiucheng was about to accelerate into the restricted area, Reggie Jackson grabbed one of his arms.
With a whistle, the referee's whistle blew.
Reggie Jackson raised his hand and then patted Wang Xiucheng on the shoulder.
He seemed a little embarrassed himself.
“Hey, you’ve already committed four fouls,” Wang Xiucheng said to him.
“I know, there are still two more times,” Reggie Jackson replied.
That was his job; even if he sent Wang Xiucheng to the free-throw line, it would only amount to two points at most.
If Wang Xiucheng loses a penalty, it's like he's actually gained one.
But if Wang Xiucheng gets an open shot, it could very well be a three-pointer.
Tyronn Lue had no intention of substituting Reggie Jackson out of the game; he even applauded Reggie Jackson.
He seemed quite satisfied with Reggie Jackson's decision just now.
The Clippers have accumulated enough fouls, so Wang Xiucheng needs to shoot free throws this time.
Bang!
The first free throw missed.
Reggie Jackson clapped his hands in satisfaction.
That foul was worth it.
Wang Xiucheng made his second free throw.
He scored his first point in the second quarter.
Clippers attack.
Wall dribbled the ball, and Wang Xiucheng came over to defend him.
Wall seemed to smile.
He never imagined he would one day be facing off against Wang Xiucheng.
Wang Xiucheng stepped forward to close in on him, while simultaneously extending one hand to try and intercept the ball.
Wall dodged Wang Xiucheng's hand, broke in sideways, and leaned against Wang Xiucheng to slow him down.
But Wang Xiucheng was fast enough that by the time Wall jumped, Wang Xiucheng's hand was already outstretched to the side.
Wall didn't force a shot, but passed the ball to George, who had created space.
The latter received the ball, took a probing step, faced Durant, dribbled once, and then pulled up to shoot a three-pointer.
Swish!
In!
George was very happy with the shot.
It seems that the touch they lost in the first quarter has returned.
But the problem is, he's not the only one whose touch has returned.
Wang Xiucheng had just crossed the halfway line when he passed the ball to Seth Curry.
Seth Curry was facing Kennard, a guard who was a little taller than him.
At that moment, Seth Curry seemed to be channeling his inner big brother, ignoring his opponent and jumping up to shoot after receiving the ball.
The basketball flew in an exaggeratedly high arc, almost grazing Kennard's fingers.
Swish!
Seth Curry only lowered his raised hand after hearing the sound of the basketball going through the net.
Sescu then turned to a spot and pursed his lips.
Nash and Tyronn Lue both looked in the direction he was pointing, seemingly towards the players' tunnel.
Apart from the security guards and cheerleaders waiting for their performance, there was no one else in the players' tunnel. The two men had no idea what had happened to Seth Curry.
Seth Curry recovered quickly and ran back.
Not only did the two head coaches not know what Seth Curry was looking at, but even the other players, and even Durant, didn't know what he was doing.
The game continues.
Both George and Wall, who was in good form today, helped the Clippers score a lot of points through one-on-one plays in the second half of the second quarter.
On the Nets' side, Wang Xiucheng consistently managed to pass the ball to Durant or Seth Curry in better positions or even open looks through his drives and passes.
Both teams regained their shooting touch in the second half of the second quarter after losing it in the first quarter.
Thanks to his teammates' improved shooting percentage, Wang Xiucheng had already accumulated 6 assists with one minute remaining in the second quarter.
Wang Xiucheng's task today is to earn 20 points for each assist and 10 points for each point.
If he could shoot a three-pointer, Wang Xiucheng would naturally choose to shoot, but today even if he fouled, the Clippers didn't give Wang Xiucheng a chance to shoot.
Wang Xiucheng forced several shots, but his shooting percentage dropped significantly. Sometimes he needed to shoot three times to make one shot, which was far less accurate than passing the ball to his teammates for open shots.
Fortunately, there's still a minimum of 12 points.
Swish!
Facing Wall, Wang Xiucheng had just crossed the center line with the ball and his back foot had barely touched the floor when he suddenly released the ball.
The basketball spun as it flew toward the hoop and landed perfectly in the heart of the basket.
The basketball barely bounced before settling down.
It really is like tiny ripples on the surface of water.
logo!
Tyronn Lue kept shaking his head, his arms crossed.
He hates those logo three-pointers.
Therefore, he dislikes players like Wang Xiucheng, Curry, and Nick Young who dare to shoot as soon as they cross half-court.
There's simply no way to defend against that kind of shot.
In particular, they are all quite accurate.
Tyronn Lue glanced at the score: 52 to 47, his team was still down by 5 points.
With 47 seconds remaining, both teams have a full offensive opportunity.
Just then, George dribbled the ball and sped past Tyronn Lue.
And when he was still a long way from the three-point line, before Durant even came up, George took a super long-range three-pointer.
Bang!
The basketball hit the rim.
Terrent was about to yell "What a load of crap!" when he saw the shot.
After the basketball bounced up, it hit the backboard and then bounced back into the basket.
George clenched his fist and pointed at Durant.
Tyronn Lue swallowed the swear word that was on the tip of his tongue and turned it into a "good shot!"
I really like players with super long shooting range!
This three-pointer brought the Clippers within one point at 50-52.
If we can defend the Nets' offense in the next possession and score another basket, we can tie the game.
Tyronn Lue clapped his hands at his players and shouted, "Defense!"
The entire stadium, led by the host, chanted "Defence!"
Wang Xiucheng controlled the time by bringing the ball past half-court.
There are 38 seconds left.
Wang Xiucheng didn't intend to attack for the ball, but Durant suddenly ran out from the inside at that moment.
Wang Xiucheng knew he wanted to attack, so he dribbled behind his back and turned, getting past Wall and into the paint.
After breaking through Wall, Wang Xiucheng was facing George, who was chasing Durant.
He bounced the ball off the ground with one hand and passed it to the outside, where Durant was perfectly positioned.
Upon receiving the ball, Durant immediately jumped and released it.
Unfortunately, with a loud thud, the basketball hit the front edge of the rim.
The ball didn't go in!
Fortunately, the basketball bounced towards Wang Xiucheng, who jumped high and caught the ball in his arms.
Almost the instant Wang Xiucheng gained control of the basketball, Little Morris pounced on it, grabbing the ball with both hands.
Wang Xiucheng didn't have time to adjust and threw the basketball directly towards the basket.
With a thud, little Morris bumped into Wang Xiucheng, sending him flying backward.
As luck would have it, Wang Xiucheng fell down right where George was.
Wang Xiucheng fell down, his back almost brushing against George's leg.
George was so startled that he jumped up and almost leaped out of bounds.
Beep!
The three referees blew their whistles almost simultaneously.
George glared at little Morris with lingering fear.
Having suffered a major injury, George is extremely careful to protect himself, to the point that he has now become a floor-based player.
As a result, not only was it difficult to defend against the opponent, but it was also necessary to defend against its own people.
Not far away on the Nets' bench, Markieff Morris also stood up at this moment, seemingly afraid that a conflict might break out between the two sides.
"Calm down, calm down!" Big Maurice shouted to his brother and Wang Xiucheng.
If a fight really breaks out, he doesn't know what to do.
Fortunately, Wang Xiucheng didn't care, and little Morris was pushed back by George.
After discussing it, the referees decided to give Morris a regular foul.
But there's no doubt that the three referees have their eyes on him.
Wang Xiucheng stepped up to the free-throw line and made both shots, scoring two points.
There are 26 seconds left in the first half.
After receiving the ball, Wall crossed half-court and began to run down the clock. With three seconds left on the shot clock, he took a three-pointer.
No entry.
Wang Xiucheng luckily retrieved the rebound and then threw it directly towards the frontcourt.
The basketball flew directly into the stands.
The first half of the game has ended.
The Nets led 54-50 on the road.
Before today's game, many reporters and commentators believed that the Nets would win easily.
With Kawhi Leonard out today, the Nets are stronger on paper. Although it's an away game, the Clippers should be easier to handle today compared to their back-to-back game against the Lakers tomorrow.
However, the score at halftime indicated that the two teams were at the same level.
And this "evenly matched" situation was maintained until the end of the third quarter.
After halftime, both teams' shooting touch went cold again.
In the second quarter, the two teams scored 30 and 31 points respectively.
However, in the third quarter, both teams only managed to score 21 points each.
This was even after Wang Xiucheng and Wall both made a three-pointer in the last minute.
Otherwise, neither team would even get 20 points.
Sitting on the bench, Wang Xiucheng shook his head.
Today's game was so tough.
If the opponent is strong and crushes the Nets, Wang Xiucheng won't feel bad.
But the feeling of not being able to make a shot no matter what is really unpleasant.
If it weren't for the "guaranteed three-pointer card," the Nets might have been down by more than ten points today.