Chapter 910 18 Assists in a Single Game

At the beginning of the third quarter, both sides resumed their starting lineups from the first quarter.

Lakers offense.

Li Ba and Marion switched defenses.

Marion moves forward to defend Yao in the high post, and Li Ba is between the free throw line and the basket, maintaining the threat of helping to defend the high post while also protecting the basket.

It was defensive coach Adams' idea.

Use Marion's mobility to guard against Dayao. With Li Ba below, Dayao cannot come in and can only lift up.

And Marion is still in front. As long as Yao lifts up, the former can form a double-team at the top of the key.

First pitch, that's it.

When Parker saw Marion defending in front of Dayao, he wanted to pass to the back. But when he saw that Li Ba was behind Dayao, how could he dare to pass?

So Dayao could only move up to the top of the arc and use pick-and-roll tactics.

Marion and Dayao reached the top of the key together, and Rondo suddenly defended Parker closely, preventing him from passing the ball to Dayao.

The next moment, Marion immediately lost Dayao and began to double-team Parker.

Then everything went smoothly. When the double-team was completed, Ginobili and Battier on the left and right wings also participated in the double-team.

Parker quickly lost the ball, and the Suns launched a fast break. Four players, including Marion, went down quickly. With more and less, Ginobili succeeded in a layup.

59 square meters.

In the next few minutes, the Suns continued to defend like this, and the Lakers were unable to respond accordingly.

In the 4th minute of the third quarter, 68:62, the Suns led by 6 points.

The Lakers called a long timeout.

After the timeout, the Lakers' offensive tactics changed again.

Dayao stopped playing in the high post and moved directly to the short left corner, more than two meters away from the paint area, pinning Li Ba to the low post on the left wing.

The rest of the Lakers stretched out, either allowing Duncan to single out Marion in the low post on the right wing, or letting Kobe Bryant attack on the right wing.

The distance is too far, and the Hammers are beyond the reach of the right wing defense.

This tactic left the Suns with no choice.

Li Ba tried to help defend the low post on the right wing, but Duncan distributed the ball in time. Dayao still had a 50% hit rate from that distance, and scored one after another in the open space.

When Dayao shot, everyone on the Lakers immediately started rushing for rebounds, which also gave the Suns a headache.

When the paint area was overcrowded, Li Ba's protection of backcourt rebounds was not completely out of control, but he still lost a lot.

At the end of the third quarter, 84:92, the Suns trailed by 8 points.

Zhang Lili said: "This is the value of Dayao. Even Duncan can't suppress the Hammers in the low post. Looking at it now, the Suns are hanging on in this game."

Yu Jia said: "Although the Suns are lagging behind, the Hammers will definitely not be able to get a five-double in this game, but he has a lot of assists today."

Zhang Lili smiled and said: "Yes, he took over the ball and sent out 13 assists in three quarters, which is rare for a center position."

In the fourth quarter, Frank replaced David Lee and asked Marion to go to the third position. Battier came off the field, which increased the offensive ability and weakened the defense.

But this substitution did not change the disadvantage.

David Lee mainly attacks at the basket, but what Duncan likes most now is defending at the basket, which can reduce his movement.

On the defensive end, David Lee is far less good than Marion, so the Suns' fourth position continues to be outplayed by Duncan.

At the end, 109:119, the Suns still lost this very crucial game. Handed over the first place in the Pacific Division, Western Conference, and League.

Li Ba scored 24 points, 21 rebounds, 18 assists, 7 steals, 4 blocks, 2 turnovers and 2 fouls in 36 minutes, a triple-double + double-twenty.

Barkley said after the game: "The Suns lost on defense. The number of team defenses could not keep up with the season average, and there were very few double-teams. The Lakers' scoring was very average, which made it difficult for the Suns to defend.

The Lakers' five offensive points, not to mention Parker and Artest, the other three points need to be double-teamed. Once they cannot be double-teamed, the Suns' defensive system will be penetrated. "

Kenny Smith said: "The Hammers controlled the Suns' possession and produced such data. The Suns lost. Charles, do you think the Hammers have any responsibility?"

Barkley said disdainfully: "There were only two turnovers and 18 assists. What responsibility do you think he has for such an assist ratio and such a performance? Find a top point guard and see how many times they have given out 18 assists in their career. Of? Kidd, Nash, Payton, Stockton?"

Kenny Smith said with a smile: "Kidd has had more than 18 assists 11 times so far, and the highest number of assists is 20.

Nash also had 11 times, and the highest was 22 times. Payton only had one, just 18 assists. Stockton has more, with a total of 71 performances of 18 assists or more, with a maximum of 28 assists. "

Barkley smiled: "So do you think that his control of the ball was the reason for losing this game? The Suns lost today because of their defense, their strongest aspect."

Kenny Smith added: "But shouldn't the Hammer be responsible for defense?"

Barkley exclaimed: "Why don't you think about how strong the Lakers' offense is? There are five people in the game, and it is impossible for the Hammers to guard five people. This is a matter of lineup and tactics, not personal ability."

Kenny Smith laughed and said, "Okay, the joke is on, now let's go to the interview."

During the on-site interview, although he lost the game, Li Ba was still surrounded by reporters.

"Go over there, they're over there." He pointed at the Lakers.

"Hammer, what does it mean to lose to the Lakers today?" The reporters refused to move away, and someone asked loudly.

"Three questions."

Li Ba made an agreement and then asked: "We lost, which means we have to make changes. This is the role of the regular season. We need to pass these games and play the most appropriate tactics in the subsequent series."

Another reporter asked: "Hammer, if the Lakers return to first place, then in the playoffs, the Suns will probably be ranked fourth, play against the Mavericks or Grizzlies in the first round, and then face the Lakers in the second round..."

Li Ba raised his hand to signal, interrupted the reporter, and said: "If we are first in the playoffs and the Lakers are fourth, we will also meet in the second round, right?

So in fact, the only difference between us ranking first or fourth or fifth is that our opponents in the first round are different, and we will definitely meet the Lakers in the second round. "

As soon as this was said, the reporters were stunned for a moment, and then burst into laughter.

"The last one." Li Ba raised his right index finger.

Zhang Lili asked at this time: "Hammer, if we don't win the first place in the playoffs, then if we play the Mavericks or the Grizzlies in the second round, even if we win, the physical exertion will definitely be greater than playing in the eighth place. Then the Suns will take over." Will you continue to catch up with the Lakers and strive to get the first position?"

Li Ba nodded briefly and said: "I will definitely chase him."

He felt that Lao Zhang's question was in vain. If he didn't answer like this, did he mean that he wouldn't pursue it? I can’t say whether I can do it or not, but I definitely have to say pursue it.

Late at night, Li Ba drove alone and left the arena. Instead of returning to the hotel, he returned to his home in Los Angeles.

There were too many away games this time, so the girl didn't come with her, but Liu Xiaoli has been managing the company here, so he wanted to come over for a visit.