Chapter 982 The U.S. Team Has No Center
Li Ba missed the first shot and made the second free throw. The US team attacked.
In the double team, Kobe began to explode and hit another three-pointer to tie the score to 54:64. The US team was still 10 points behind.
At the 7th minute of the fourth quarter, it was already halfway through, 60:68, and the US team was still 8 points behind.
Kobe really broke out later. He made consecutive three-pointers and 2 of 3. In the fourth quarter, he made 5 of 8 three-pointers. His shooting rate was not bad. In addition, he made 3 of 3 free throws. In 7 minutes, Scored 18 points.
But unfortunately, under the US team's crowd tactics in the penalty area, the Chinese team's two big insiders still have a certain advantage in rebounding, so they have an advantage in the number of shots.
The American team only took 8 shots from Kobe, plus 1 second offense, and only 9 shots.
China shot 11 times, which is not a big advantage, but it is still an advantage. With Kobe Bryant's explosion, this advantage is very important. Even if he misses the shot, he has reduced the opponent's shots and stabilized the situation.
At this time, the American team called for a timeout.
Yu Jia said: "The outside shot is still not good. When there was an open opportunity, Zhu Fangyu made 1 of 4 shots from behind, which wasted a lot of ball rights."
Zhang Lianda said: "Dayao was double-teamed, had difficulty catching the ball, and rarely took shots. Moreover, he did not have much physical fitness, so it would be difficult to force a shot. The Hammers also took fewer shots. He served as a point guard, and there were too many people under the basket. There are not many opportunities to take shots. I can't shoot from the outside, and I keep missing open shots, which is really troublesome. There are still three minutes left, and if Kobe keeps shooting like this, it will be really troublesome."
Xu Jicheng said: "The Hammers didn't make many shots in the final quarter. One shot was missed. Now I still have 20 points, 21 rebounds, 11 assists, 8 steals, 9 blocks, 3 turnovers and 3 fouls. There are still three minutes left. It is still possible to have a five-double, but we must ensure it first. It’s about winning.”
On the bench of the American team, Coach K felt that the tactic just now was good and achieved results, so his confidence was restored. He then arranged a three-back tactic to speed up and take advantage of Yao's physical exhaustion to overwhelm the Chinese team.
The pause ends at this point.
Team USA, Howard and James, Wade, Reid, Kobe.
Chinese team, Dayao and Li Ba, Arab League and Wang Shipeng, Sun Le.
Xu Jicheng said: "Both sides should be very tired. Whoever is in better condition at this time will be able to withstand it."
Yu Jia said: "On the U.S. team, Howard, Kobe and James played the whole game. On our team, the hammer played the whole game. The other four players also played a lot of time, but I believe they can withstand the hammer. Being able to play the entire game in the NBA playoffs, and in four consecutive series, the intensity is much higher than this, no problem."
Zhang Lili said: "What I'm worried about now is that the US team is playing three defenders again. This will definitely require a fight in the last three minutes, speeding up, and using speed to break down the Chinese team's defense. Be vigilant!"
Yu Jia said: "Wade and Reed don't play much time. They are in very good physical condition. We really need to be vigilant."
Team USA attacks.
Li Ba and Dayao were at the basket, facing off against James and Howard.
James is very tired. He is only a small forward. Compared with the inside, the physical requirements are different. But when he is used as an inside for the whole game, the physical energy consumption is too great, but he still perseveres.
Li Ba was okay. He was fine in the forty-minute game.
Both Dayao and Howard are holding on, and they don't have much physical energy anymore.
The American team played a three-guard tactic, and the Chinese team could no longer double-team Kobe. Wang Shipeng faced off against Kobe, Sun Le against Reed, and the Arab League against Wade.
However, the U.S. team still implemented the crowd tactics in the penalty area. Kobe led Wang Shipeng into the penalty area, intending to block Li Ba.
Wade acted as point guard, advancing to the frontcourt at full speed and reaching the top of the arc.
Arab League, who was facing Wade, was waiting directly in the backcourt and then defended.
Wade passed the ball to the left wing and then led the UAE to the right wing.
Reed on the left wing caught the ball, faked a sudden shot, and then made a three-pointer after backing away from Sun Le. He missed, and the rebound rebounded and landed on the edge of the penalty area.
Li Ba was blocked, but James, who was stuck behind him, rushed over and grabbed the rebound.
Li Ba quickly turned around and got behind James.
James has practiced shooting more in the past few years, but his low-post skills have not improved much. How dare he hit Li Ba and pass the ball directly back to Reid.
Reed caught the ball and Sun Le followed.
At this time, Wade rushed from the right wing to the top of the arc, but Arab League couldn't keep up with the speed and lost it.
Wade caught the ball and continued to rush to the left wing with the ball. He changed direction and penetrated the wing.
Sun Le, who was guarding Reid, had to lose Reid to cover Wade, but at this time Wade passed back to Reid, who took another shot from beyond the three-point line.
Oh, three-pointer.
63:68, the US team is only 5 points behind.
"This lineup can't defend against the three defenders, so we must replace them immediately! Change the defenders!" Zhang Liangli shouted anxiously.
The Chinese team attacks.
When Li Ba advanced from the backcourt, it was still James who was facing him. He had to defend and retreat to prevent him from rushing forward.
The three major defenders of the U.S. team all looked over, but they didn't have much confidence in double-teaming him, and the risk was too high. In the end, no one dared to double-team him.
Li Ba steadily advanced to the frontcourt, and by this time the US team's defensive formation had been set up.
After letting Sun Le go, Reid entered the penalty area and double-teamed Dayao in advance.
Howard went around to defend Yao, while the little Reid harassed the defense on the side, pulling on his jersey, secretly pinching Yao's soft flesh, and keeping away from Yao's legs to affect his movement.
Li Ba was not double-teamed in advance. He thought about Sun Le's touch in this game and realized it was not very good, so he did not pass the ball.
In the last three minutes, success rate must be achieved, and no ball rights can be wasted.
Judging from his reaction, the US team's goal of shorting Sun Le was achieved.
He then made tactical gestures.
Sun Le was on the three-point line on the right wing. He suddenly started and rushed over to stand next to James.
"Pick-and-roll breakthrough!"
Reacting quickly, James immediately took a step back, trying to block Li Ba who was about to break through from behind Sun Le.
But he was wrong. Li Ba did not go behind Sun Le, but broke forward directly and followed him to the top of the key.
The two advanced and retreated. Li Ba's first step was faster than James. In one step, he caught up with James who was retreating and deliberately bumped into James with his shoulder.
While retreating, James suddenly lost his center of gravity under the huge collision, and fell to the free throw line with a bang, while Li Ba drove straight into the penalty area.
At this time, seeing Li Ba coming in with the ball, Howard quickly blocked the basket.
Li Ba took a step across the free throw line, flew directly into the air, and hit Howard's block with a one-arm dunk.
With a bang, the ball went in and the whistle sounded.
The referee rushed over and made a gesture. Howard's thug fouled, and he graduated from the fifth foul. Li Ba's two points were valid and he added one free throw.
"Great, the US team has no center again!" Yu Jia roared excitedly.