LRAB Chapter 677 The Crouching Dragon and the Young Phoenix Appear Together!
Chapter 677 The Crouching Dragon and the Young Phoenix Appear Together!
With 9 minutes and 20 seconds left in the fourth quarter, Lin Tian led Barnes, Smith, Hill, and Okur onto the court.
Lin Tian's early appearance also signaled that tonight's duel had begun ahead of schedule!
The Spurs didn't make any substitutions; they stuck with the same lineup of one big man and four small men, with Bosh at center.
They just used this lineup to close the gap to 7 points in a row, and now they are only 8 points behind, so of course they won't make any substitutions easily.
"Beep beep!"
With a whistle from the referee, the Knicks passed the ball to Lin Tian in the frontcourt, who was tasked with organizing the offense.
79: 87!
The gap between the two sides remains at 8 points!
Lin Tian dribbled the ball quickly towards the middle, where he was still facing Francis.
Facing this former prodigy, Lin Tian executed two consecutive crossovers before accelerating and forcefully charging towards the basket!
After reaching the edge of the 3-second zone, Lin Tian suddenly stopped and shouted.
"Jump!"
Who knows if Lin Tian's sudden stop feint was too realistic or if Francis was truly possessed and followed Lin Tian's instructions, but in any case, the guy jumped up.
Then, Lin Tian leaned on him, resulting in a foul.
Francis' fifth foul!
This was also Lin Tian's 27th and 28th time stepping to the free-throw line. He really was going to beat the Spurs to death tonight!
With two crisp sounds, Lin Tian once again sent the basketball into the basket, and the gap between the two sides returned to double digits.
No matter how angry Popovich is off the court, or how loudly he's yelling, or whether he's cursing the referee or calling Francis stupid, the game has to go on.
Francis still needs to dribble up the court and organize the team's attack.
The ball was given to James again in this possession. James dribbled and drove to the basket, then pulled up for a powerful dunk, continuing to help his team stay close in the score!
Meanwhile, James finally scored a 2-pointer, but before he could even turn around, Lin Tian had already dribbled the ball again and launched an attack. He didn't care that the four Spurs players except James were already in position. Instead, he used his shoulder to firmly block Francis's shoulder and charged towards the frontcourt!
When Lin Tian drove to the basket, he suddenly withdrew the ball!
He drew a rather exaggerated circle in the air with both hands.
As he moved in a circle, the referee once again saw Francis's hand between Lin Tian's arms.
"AND 1!" Lin Tian screamed again, his limbs contorted into a bizarre pose as he casually tossed the ball toward the basket.
"Bang!"
That shot was too far-fetched; there was absolutely no way it would go in.
But the referee blew his whistle again!
"Hand foul! Steve Francis, sixth time! Enter the game!"
Francis committed two fouls in 20 seconds! He fouled out of the game!
There were still more than 8 minutes left in the game!
"I didn't touch him! I didn't foul! FUXX! I didn't touch him!" Francis angrily spread his hands, screaming in disbelief. He jumped up and down frantically, shaking his head incessantly.
If you look closely at his eyes, you can see that they are glistening with tears of grievance.
The child was so upset that he cried.
"What's there to be aggrieved about?" Lin Tian stood beside him, disdainfully saying, "You guys beat us like that in the last match!"
"I didn't play in the last game!" Francis said with great enthusiasm.
"Do you dare say you've never benefited from the referee's calls or officiating in your life? Do you dare say you've never shamelessly tried to cheat for free throws?" Lin Tian continued to ask.
"Yes, but never this outrageous and shameless!" Francis knew that the matter was already a fact, and no matter how much he protested, it would not change anything. Instead, he calmed down and started arguing with Lin Tian.
And then.
This verbal sparring is actually quite effective!
At least, Lin Tian was genuinely taken aback by Francis's words.
Because Francis understood the essence of Lin Tian's fighting style: it's all about being shameless and ruthless.
After a full two seconds of stunned silence, Lin Tian declared viciously, "I'm shameless and utterly shameless! If you're envious and jealous, then you do the same!"
After uttering those words, Lin Tian quickly turned around and walked to the free-throw line, ignoring Francis.
At the same time, Lin Tian secretly made up his mind that he would never use this trick again unless absolutely necessary.
That was truly shameful.
Even someone as thick-skinned and quick-witted as Lin Tian could be stunned by his opponent's barrage of insults when using this fighting style, which shows how significant the side effects of this style are.
It's not worth the loss, it's not worth the loss at all!
From now on, there's no need to say anything!
As for tonight?
I've already been criticized tonight, so if I don't keep fighting, wouldn't I have just wasted all that criticism? Wouldn't that be a huge loss?
We must continue!
So, after Lin Tian made both free throws, the gap between the two sides reached 10 points again. The Spurs had no choice but to replace Francis with Barry and put James back at the point guard position.
Although James played point guard, he still didn't match up against Lin Tian.
This time it wasn't that he didn't want to, but that Popovich didn't dare!
Just kidding, you knocked me, Francis, out of the picture, so be it!
But if they can knock James out, the Spurs can just surrender tonight!
The team relies entirely on LeBron James!
The subsequent games proved that Popovich's idea was correct!
With James on the court, the Spurs' offense ran very smoothly, and their scoring efficiency was quite good.
However, their pace of closing the gap was not fast; after a few minutes of play, the difference between the two sides had only narrowed to 3 points!
99: 106!
With four minutes left in the fourth quarter, the gap between the two teams had been narrowed to seven points!
The reason why the Spurs were in good form on offense but were unable to effectively narrow the gap was undoubtedly because of Lin Tian!
He's still trying to draw fouls on offense and get to the free-throw line!
It's only this early in the fourth quarter, and Lin Tian has already had eight free throws!
He was still standing at the free-throw line, about to take his 35th and 36th free throws, which were also his 9th and 10th free throws in the fourth quarter!
Finley has already left the Spurs' court.
He also committed his sixth foul and was ejected for helping on defense.
Replacing him was the team's starting center, O'Neal. Popovich really didn't have any outside players to substitute, so he had no choice but to bring on O'Neal with a heavy heart.
Even if it means the team's well-performing four-man-one-small-man formation in the fourth quarter disappears, and even if it means the team's recently picked-up pace slows down again, Popovich has no other options.
If he doesn't cast O'Neal, he'll only be able to play those absolute extras!
Those guys could probably get 4-5 fouls from Lin Tian in no time!
In other words, the Spurs were really hot tonight. After Lin Tian made both free throws, James dribbled once to launch a fast break, and then found JR on the fast break, and jumped to pass the ball to the wing.
JR once again unleashed his unpredictable skills, decisively taking a three-pointer from beyond the arc!
"Whoosh!"
After another crisp sound, the Spurs narrowed the gap to 6 points!
102: 108!
"The game is still very suspenseful! The gap between the two sides is getting smaller and smaller!" Barkley said excitedly, "This means Lin's scoring will continue to increase! And it will increase rapidly!"
「林第四节光是罚球就已经又罚了10个了！同时他还3投2中，单节已经拿下12分了！」肯尼跟着就报上了林天的数据：「全场比赛则是36罚32中，光靠罚球，这家伙就拿到32分了！」
「然后他总共19投13中，其中3分球9投5中，今晚他已经轰下了63分！我这辈子都没想过我有一次报别人数据的时侯，会先报出罚球数而不是投篮数！」
Kenny chuckled self-deprecatingly before continuing, "Lin needs to score 6 more points to break Chamberlain's record! And if he wants to reach a new level in his scoring average this month, he needs to score another 14 points!"
"Currently, it seems quite possible for Lin to achieve both of these numbers! Especially with the Spurs keeping the score close and not letting them pull away at all! Let's keep watching the game!"
After JR hit the three-pointer, Lin Tian had already decided on his next strategy!
You're on fire today, you've made five three-pointers, haven't you!
You're on fire tonight, scoring 20 points and becoming the team's second-leading scorer, right?
We're targeting you, our number two scorer!
After Lin Tian arrived at the frontcourt, he immediately used a screen to switch onto JR to defend him. Then, just as Lin Tian was about to attack, he froze.
JR actually executed a soccer-style defense!
Of course, it wasn't a sliding tackle or a multiple-scissor kick that Lin Tian was given.
He put his hands behind his back, completely hiding his torso.
JR's meaning is too obvious.
Come on! I've hidden my hands, how are you going to make me foul?
Drawing a foul?
Lin Tian said: Why would I draw a foul on you!
Faced with JR's defense that didn't even extend his arms, Lin Tian didn't hesitate and immediately pulled up and shot a three-pointer from beyond the arc!
He didn't make any feints or changes in rhythm; he simply gathered the ball and lifted it up—it was so effortless and graceful!
Who told you to put your hands behind your back, JR? If you're so great, why don't you try hitting me with your chin!
Using a chin-covering hat, JR definitely can't do it; all he can do is use his eyes to see.
He watched with his eyes as Lin Tian sent the ball into the basket!
The gap is still 9 points!
102: 111!
Meanwhile, Lin Tian is only 3 points away from Chamberlain's record!
Breaking the record is almost a certainty!
In this Spurs offensive play, James didn't pass the ball. Instead, he set a screen and suddenly accelerated, driving straight into the paint!
As he drove all the way to the basket, he was about to jump and finish, but suddenly a huge figure appeared in front of him.
Shaquille O'Neal!
God knows why, but O'Neal blocked James's path to the basket. Helpless, James had to pass the ball quickly, and the ball once again found JR on the outside.
After getting the ball, JR didn't hesitate and pulled up for another three-pointer!
But this time Lin Tian's interference arrived just in time, jumping high and obstructing JR's view.
"Bang!"
Although Lin Tian's timely block failed to result in a block, it effectively caused JR to miss the shot. After Okur grabbed the rebound, he passed the ball to Lin Tian. Lin Tian remained calm and signaled to everyone to calm down and take it slow in this possession.
After steadily pushing the ball forward, Lin Tian was thinking about how to draw a foul on this play.
JR struck first again!
This guy probably realized that he couldn't stop Lin Tian from scoring without reaching out, so he actually went around to Lin Tian's back and stood behind him to defend!
JR's brilliant little brain was thinking: I'm behind you, you can't draw a foul on me, I'm behind you so you can't see me, if you shoot directly, I can easily block it from behind you! If you use a screen, hehe, I'm behind you, what are you going to do about it!
Plans are in place! Perfect!
This defensive move is unbeatable! Lin Tian has absolutely no way to deal with me!
JR's brilliant little brain flashed with the praise and compliments everyone gave him after his successful defense, and he couldn't help but grin.
JR thought about so many things; he even planned what he would do if Lin Tian moved to the side and retreated.
If Lin Tian retreats, then I'll retreat too! We'll retreat together, you won't see me anyway! I'm going to launch a sneak attack today.
But JR never expected that Lin Tian had the simplest trick up his sleeve!
Mr. Lin, can you just speed things up?
After all, Lin Tian's defenses were completely open right now!
If I don't sift through your JR like this, how will I, Lin Da Guan Ren, ever greet others again?
Hmm, if the opponent is behind you, accelerating to the basket and making a layup doesn't seem like a successful breakthrough or getting past the opponent.
After all, you had already gotten over yourself before I did.
So Lin Tian suddenly accelerated and charged into the paint.
It was so smooth and unobstructed that no one could react in time.
After all, JR's imagination is just too wild!
It's even more ingenious than the first backhand defense idea!
What kind of genius could come up with such a defensive method? Their brain must have been eaten clean by slugs!
Even when Lin Tian accelerated towards the inside, he hesitated for a moment before making that play.
It's like: "This huge pie has fallen on my head, is it a scam?"
So when Lin Tian accelerated his breakthrough, he made a sudden stop and hesitation step, wanting to observe the Spurs' defense.
Then he realized he was overthinking it.
Nobody cares about him at all!
So Lin Tiancai continued to accelerate to the edge of the three-second zone, and before O'Neal could come up, he scored another 2 points for the team with a floater!
"68 points!" Barkley shouted excitedly, "One last point! Just one last point! Charge, Lin! Charge! One more basket, let's break Chamberlain's record first!"
102:113! The gap between the two sides has once again exceeded 10 points!
"FUXX!" Popovich was about to explode.
He felt that he was such a smart person, so why were all his subordinates crazy?
What kind of geniuses could do such things? One got fouled out early in the fourth quarter after only 30 seconds of matchup, and the other first put his hands behind his back and then stood behind his opponent to defend, giving away 5 points for nothing.
Having either the Crouching Dragon or the Young Phoenix can cause a cerebral hemorrhage.
Popovich has encountered both of them today!
He didn't suffer a brain hemorrhage; it's all thanks to his love of sports when he was young, which gave him excellent physical condition. If it were one of those purely academic coaches who hadn't had much exercise experience, this match would probably have been forced to stop.
Because the ambulance needs to come in and take the person away!
It's so addictive!
Popovich felt like his hair was about to stand on end! He was absolutely furious.
Then?
Then JR ignored everything and went to the frontcourt, reaching out for the ball again. And James actually passed it to him again. Then, facing Lin Tian, when he was still 2 meters from the three-point line, he pulled up and shot again!
The main theme is "I'm too tough to bend over!" and "I'll earn back the points I lost!"
Unfortunately, if JR could consistently respond to every ball and recover every game, he wouldn't be LeBron James's teammate; LeBron James would be his teammate.
"Bang!"
With a crisp sound, the basketball bounced off the rim and went out.
Right now, there isn't a single Spurs player inside the Knicks' three-point line; none of them have gotten into position yet.
Even among the Knicks players, only Barnes is inside the three-point line right now.
The rest of the people haven't arrived yet!
JR just threw that ball like that?
Popovich was so angry that he slammed the tactical board on the ground, wishing he could have JR thrown into a slaughterhouse that very night, dissected and sold at the market along with the cows and sheep.
If you were Lin Tian, Kobe, or McGrady, you could shoot this ball however you wanted. If it went in, you were awesome; if it didn't, you'd just have to bear the consequences.
But who are you? You're JR!
Even if you, JR, make that shot, the coach will still warn you: "Calm down next time, don't shoot like that!"
What if we don't go in?
There wasn't even a chance to resist!
Who do you think you are to take the blame?
Don't you have the right to know?
Unfortunately, no matter how angry Popovich was, he couldn't call a timeout right now, because Barnes had grabbed the ball and it wasn't dead. Popovich could only wait until the Knicks' offensive possession was over before making adjustments.
It was Lin Tian again, calmly and slowly dribbling to the frontcourt, and then Lin Tian faced off against JR once again!
Yes, Lin Tian's back was facing JR again!
Judging from JR's reaction, this guy actually thought he defended well in the last round, and then he stood directly behind Lin Tian!
When Popovich saw this, he almost spat out a mouthful of blood.
That's going too far!
unacceptable!
You won't be satisfied until you drive me to my death!
Just as Popovich was so angry on the sidelines that he was about to rush onto the court and kill JR, Lin Tian made his move!
At the same time, Lin Tian confirmed that the Spurs had not prepared any traps; it was purely JR's own brain malfunction that led to this defensive strategy.
Therefore, Lin Tian's direct acceleration breakthrough this time was even more decisive and rapid! He rushed to the inside of the three-point line in one step, and then suddenly accelerated again, rushing to the vicinity of the free throw line in the blink of an eye.
Then Lin Tian suddenly stopped abruptly, and after glancing back out of the corner of his eye, he calmly jumped up behind him!
Yes, Lin Tian jumped directly behind him!
"Bang!"
With a muffled thud, JR, who was charging at full speed from behind Lin Tian and trying to catch up with him, had no time to dodge and collided directly with Lin Tian!
"Take this counterattack!"
Lin Tian roared inwardly!
After colliding with JR, he quickly released the ball, which flew a beautiful arc and went into the basket precisely, at which point the referee blew the whistle again.
2+1!
Lin Tian faced JR...
Lin Tian, with his back to JR, scored again!
The good news is that this foul was JR's sixth foul, meaning he will be unable to play for the remainder of the game. Popovich won't have to risk a stroke to coach because of him.
The bad news is that JR Smith is the third Spurs perimeter player to be ejected tonight, meaning the Spurs will have to rely on Barry and Udrih to form the perimeter for the rest of the game.
Popovich is all too aware of the harm that having these two on the court at the same time can cause to the team.
Unstoppable, lacking athleticism, and completely incapable of dribbling and penetrating – two pure three-point finishers!
At most, Barry can make a couple of passes, and can stand still and pass the ball around once.
Anything else? These two really can't come.
Just then, Lin Tian made the free throw, and the gap between the two sides reached 14 points!
102: 116!
With only 2 minutes and 30 seconds left in the game, the time was up.
The Spurs' chances of a comeback are dwindling, and they are getting further and further away from victory.
Popovich is getting closer and closer to suffering a brain hemorrhage!
He's about to explode!
During the Spurs' subsequent offensive play, O'Neal and James actually got into a fight on the court! (End of Chapter)