Survival or destruction, Henson's use of this phrase to describe this game against the Bulls is not an exaggeration at all.

So far this season, the Pacers have only played the Bulls once. However, the game was lost.

Although that loss to the Bulls was during the first wave of back-to-back this season. At the time, the Pacers' physical reserves weren't good enough, and George was out with an injury.

But Henson never makes excuses for himself, a loss is a loss, and the fact that the Pacers have not won against the Bulls since last season is an out-and-out fact.

Last year, the Pacers were swept away by the Bulls. At that time, Henson could also say that the Pacers' roster was not originally built for the Eastern Conference semifinals.

But now, with the league's best point guard, Chris. Paul, with the experienced West, with the potential Leonard and others, this statement is obviously untenable.

The Pacers' goal now is the Eastern Conference Finals, or even the Finals! You can't just be content with just paddling in the playoffs with a superstar.

And if the Pacers want to break out of the East, the Bulls will definitely be an unavoidable opponent. Before the playoffs get around, Henson has to accumulate enough experience to gain experience in beating the Bulls.

As a result, this matchup is seen by Henson as one of the most important regular season games of the season. The Chicago Bulls' curse, the Pacers must rush over it anyway!

On the other hand, Thibodeauke is not arrogant at all. Although Thibodeau also looked down on this half-coach last season, but until now, Thibodeau even thinks that those guys who despise Henson are stupid.

In this era of superstars, although the Pacers have Paul, the lineup is far from luxurious. Henson, however, led a team that was not luxurious, with a 27-7 record in such a high-intensity season. Whether he's half-or not, he's certainly capable of something.

Therefore, Thibodeau was also very cautious in an interview with reporters: "This is undoubtedly an important game, although we have won the Pacers once before, it does not mean that we can continue to win easily. I can't afford to lose to the Pacers, so I'm going to prepare the players for tough games. ”

At Indianapolis International Airport, Thibodeau looked solemn. Every time I come to play in Indianapolis, it's not easy for the Bulls.

And, most importantly, Rose seems to be shining a lot less this season than last year's MVP season.

Thibodeau is also very clear that the reason for this situation is not that Rose is not working hard, but that Rose, who played 81 games last season and finally needed to rest because of tactics, has become a small injury this season.

In fact, Rose's attendance in the first three seasons was pretty good. Played 81 games in both his rookie season and last season, almost full attendance. Even the 09-10 season, which was the least played, played 78 games, and the absence of three games was almost negligible.

However, so far this season, Rose has missed 15 games! That's more than the previous three seasons combined! This stop-and-go pattern will also affect Rose's state to some extent.

Last season, even the all-powerful Rose allowed the Bulls and Pacers to play a last-minute tiebreaker before they were separated.

This season, a slightly less in-form Rose, but the opponent has changed from the young Holiday to Chris. Paul...... That was enough to make Thibodeau nervous.

The last time the two sides met, it wasn't so much that the Bulls crushed the Pacers, but that the Pacers broke themselves out due to fitness and injury.

Thibodeau shook his head, trying to keep himself calm. The game hasn't started yet, so you can't lose your confidence!

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When he was 8 p.m., the Consec Arena. Many fans who did not grab tickets still gathered outside the stadium at this time to learn about the game through the large LED screen outside the stadium.

At this time, on the big screen, the players of both sides have finished their warm-ups, and the game will start soon.

Although on the Bulls' side this season, Rose did have some injury problems. However, Henson does not feel that the Bulls are easy to deal with because of this, and the Bulls have upgraded their configuration since last season's loss to the Heat.

They took down the veteran off-ball offensive weapon, Richard, who was once one of the souls of the Pistons' "grassroots army". Hamilton.

Although the off-ball runner who can make Kobe Bryant go crazy on the defensive end is past his prime, it is bound to bring a lot of defensive pressure to George.

Also, on the Bulls' bench, Ronnie. Brewer, Thai. The maturity of Gibson and Korver's three core bench players is something the Pacers must watch out for. Henson even believes that today's competition between the two sides of the second team will be the key to deciding the outcome of the game!

"It looks like Leonard's shooting consistency is a lot better. But let's be honest...... I don't think he's ready to complete the task you've given him. Watching Leonard hit four in a row and then hit three times in a row, Vogel couldn't help but worry about Henson's plan.

'It doesn't hurt for him to try, if he doesn't shoot today, we have other points to score. But if you throw it in...... Thibodeau will be very 'happy'! Henson said without looking back, he was already standing on the sidelines with his hands on his chest before the game began.

In fact, Leonard's shooting level is much better than when he first joined the team. First, Leonard himself worked hard, and second, Fraser was really good at teaching shooting. Third, under the effect of two badges that increase the speed of progress, Leonard's progress is undoubtedly even faster.

At least compared to Jimmy. Butler, Leonard improved a little more in shooting. So now, Jimmy. Butler is only occasionally on the court, but Leonard is already a big rotation for the Pacers.

Suffice it to say, most of his talents were cashed in on and did not disappoint Henson.

And now, in this game, it's time for this kid to take on part of the offensive mission!

Whether the second lineup will be opened up by the Bulls will determine who will take away the victory in today's game!

The "beep ~~~~~" electronic beep made the wooden floor of the arena vibrate, signaling that this heavyweight battle was about to begin.

"It's not the first time we've encountered a bull, and it won't be the last! The difference is that tonight we're going to win the game. I don't want to see anything other than victory! Henson rallied all the players to boost their morale before he was willing to let them play.

Under Henson's encouragement for several days, the players of the Pacers looked solemn one by one, and this murderous momentum alone overwhelmed the Bulls.

Look at the other side, Ross, "Deng Yingjo", Boozer, Noah, Thibodeau...... These are the same bitter enemies who knocked the Pacers out of the tournament last season, and even if Henson doesn't say anything, the players are desperate to get back what they lost.

As soon as the game began, the Bulls experienced the Pacers' resolve tonight.

Rose hit the iron on his first shot in the opening game, but the inside scramble was very intense. The rebound was in the hands of the four big men several times, but they still hadn't been sorted out.

In the end, the basketball was shot directly by West outside the three-point line, and the task of fighting for rebounds was handed over to his teammates on the outside.

But the racket was too big, and the basketball went straight to the technical table. The Bulls players were all standing there ready to serve the sideline, but Paul pounced on the basketball that couldn't be caught.

I saw Paul leap out of the court, straighten his arm and get the basketball back! Then he knocked over several computer screens on the tech desk and fell into the arms of a bunch of technicians.

At the same time, Paul. George hurried to catch up, received the basketball that was saved by Paul, and launched a fast attack directly!

It was only then that the Bulls players came to their senses. But if you chase it now, you will definitely not be able to catch up. Lohr. Deng only symbolically followed George for a few steps, and then watched George, who had lost the championship of the slam dunk contest, set the Consecco Arena on fire with a two-handed back buckle!

Meanwhile, West and Horford rushed to the technical bench and "fished" their on-court commander out of the chaos of people flipping on their backs.

At the beginning, the Pacers expressed their desire to win with a flying save and a wonderful dunk!

Noah ran over to serve the sideline ball with a confused face, and the Pacers' attitude towards playing with you was a bit scary.

Henson turned his head to look at Thibodeau, and the "Penguin Coach" still had a calm look on his face at this time.

????“ Hehe, see how long you can calm down. Henson smiled, this time the two rivals had no intention of fighting again. Because they left the fiercest battles on the basketball court!