mtl008 491. Don't want 2 points, want 3!
491. Don't want 2 points, want 3!
"Indeed, the Clippers lost a lot of points because Su Hao didn't play for half a quarter," Su Qun chimed in.
"Fortunately, the score difference is still large enough. As long as we play steadily in the second half, we will basically win this game."
Coach Mike Dunleavy clapped his hands to signal everyone to be quiet. "You all played well in the first half. Stay focused in the second half and don't let your guard down."
Su Hao sat in the corner, silent.
He knew that if he had stayed on the field for the entire first half, the team's lead might have been even greater, but that wasn't what he cared about.
What he cares about is how to better integrate into the team and how to contribute to the team in crucial moments.
"Su Hao, what are you thinking about? I still need five more three-pointers to achieve my goal for today's game!" Curry said with a smile as he approached Su Hao.
Hearing this, Su Hao looked up at Curry and slowly said, "You're really serious, aren't you? You really want to make ten three-pointers in the whole game before you're satisfied!"
"You're right, I've been keeping that in mind! Now that we're leading by so many points, let me take the lead in the second half!" Curry said to Su Hao in a low voice.
"You'll have to ask the head coach about ball possession. If he agrees, I'm fine with it!" Su Hao winked at Curry.
However, Curry did not share his thoughts with Mike Dunleavy.
After encouraging his teammates, head coach Mike Dunleavy and his assistant coach walked out of the locker room.
Because of their lead in the score, as the head coach, he wasn't worried about losing the game at all.
Having a defensive anchor like Su Hao in the paint is the best guarantee for the team to win.
In the Bulls' locker room, head coach Thibodeau and the players were still discussing how to improve their defense and offense in the next game.
It's simply because they don't want to be swept by their opponents in the same season again.
“Our tactics are fine, and our offense is great, but our defense still has a lot of problems, especially our interior defense. Noah, are you and Boozer really incapable of containing Su Hao together?” Thibodeau’s eyes scanned back and forth between Noah and Boozer, trying to find the answer he wanted.
"Coach, we really tried our best, but Su Hao's strength is far greater than we imagined! Otherwise, the Celtics, the Heat, and other teams with good strength, just like us, couldn't contain Su Hao!" Boozer explained.
"Yes, I've tried all the coach's dirty tricks, but they still don't work on him! If we want to win now, we have to step up our offense and try to make more shots to make up for our defensive shortcomings!" Noah chimed in.
Both of their statements indicated that they were unable to form an effective defense against Su Hao.
Instead, they want the coach to focus on the team's offense.
Thibodeau pondered for a moment and said, "I understand what you're saying. Although offense is the best defense, we can't stop their offense! On the defensive end, they can defend our inside game. This is a completely unequal game! There's no other way now but to rely on offense!"
After saying that, he turned his gaze to his beloved student, Ross.
"The team needs you now, and you can't rest yet. Although I know you need to get some rest, your offensive efficiency is currently the highest on the team!"
"If you rest, we won't even make it past the third quarter, and we'll lose the game completely!" Thibodeau looked at Rose with a determined gaze.
"I can play, I feel great right now, no problem at all!" Rose said firmly.
After halftime, the two teams entered the third quarter.
The Clippers cheerleaders, who were dancing energetically on the court, quickly left the court.
Su Hao and his teammates came to the sidelines through the player tunnel.
The home fans' excited screams and shouts were deafening.
Both sides maintained their previous lineups.
No player substitutions were made.
At the start of the game, the Bulls had their first offensive possession.
Rose received a pass from his teammate and launched a frontal attack.
He successfully made a difficult shot despite Gordon's defense.
The Clippers reacted quickly.
After receiving the baseline pass from David Lee, Curry quickly advanced the ball.
Facing Luol Deng's defense, he attempted to shoot a three-pointer.
Just as he retreated to prepare to make his move.
Bogans, who was standing nearby, stepped forward and joined Luol Deng in double-teaming Curry.
Curry, having lost his offensive opportunity, opted to pass the ball to Rasul Butler, who was closest to him.
The latter did not hold onto the ball after receiving it.
He immediately lobbed the ball to Su Hao, who was under the basket.
After receiving the ball, Su Hao landed in the low post, with his back to the basket.
Facing Boozer's strong defense, he easily pushed him aside with a little effort.
He completed the dunk with ease.
The Bulls quickly inbounded the ball, which fell to Rose.
He dribbled past his opponent, rushed to the basket, and jumped for a layup.
However, Su Hao leaped high, stretched out his arm, and delivered a powerful block to Rose.
The ball was swatted away, and the Clippers players quickly regained possession and launched a counterattack.
After receiving the ball, Gordon sprinted forward as if he were in an empty field. He rushed into the paint, ready to make a layup.
At this moment, Boozer came over to help defend, Gordon faked a move to fool his opponent, and then passed the ball to Su Hao under the basket. This time, Su Hao did not choose to attack the basket himself.
He turned and passed the ball to Curry, who was lurking in the right corner.
Curry received the ball and decisively shot, hitting a three-pointer.
The audience cheered, and Curry excitedly waved his fist.
After scoring, Curry immediately went over to Su Hao to high-five him in celebration.
This was Curry's sixth three-pointer of the game.
He was only four three-pointers away from hitting ten in the game.
"Su Hao, it's all thanks to you! Without your pass, I really don't know how long it would have taken me to make a three-pointer!" Curry excitedly told Su Hao.
"Goodness, I've passed you all the shots I was sure of making to help you with your three-pointers! If you still miss, I don't know how many offensive rebounds I'll grab!" Su Hao teased Curry.
"Haha! If that's the case, you should thank me. I'm the one who made you the rebounding king!" Curry laughed and retreated on defense with Su Hao.
The Bulls did not stop their offensive pace just because Curry had just hit a three-pointer.
They don't want to give up the game yet, even though they're down by almost twenty points.
After bringing the ball up the court, Luol Deng immediately handed possession to Rose.
Curry and Gordon immediately double-teamed him.
However, Rose used his driving ability to successfully avoid being caught in a pincer movement.
I've moved to the free throw line.