112 to 104, an eight-point difference. In fact, the eight-point difference did not reflect the level of anxiety of the game at all. Throughout the game, James and Irving performed very well. In 48 minutes of ball, the Mavericks were only five minutes better than the Cavaliers.

However, it was those short five minutes that decided the outcome of the game. The Mavericks' magical defense has reappeared, since last season's clean sheet against Lillard in the regular season and the famous "seven-minute defense" against the Spurs in the playoffs. This season, the Mavericks' ability to rely on Iguodala and Yiyang's terrifying single defense has once again become the focus of discussion.

"The Mavericks have gathered some of the best defensive players in the world, and unless one team has offensive firepower that is so strong that they can't do anything about it, the Mavericks' dominance of the league will continue for a long time."

"Iguodala, Rudy. Gobert, there was still a Tony on the bench. Aaron, Mark. Cuban got some of the best defensive players in the league. The Cavaliers are not weak, but as Irving said, their defense is too strong! ”

"I'm still shocked by the Mavericks' defense in the last five minutes yesterday, and I watched the last five minutes seven or eight times. But every time, I opened my mouth in surprise. ”

For a while, all the media was touting how good the Mavericks' defense was, how impenetrable they were, and how vulnerable the rest of the league were.

Therefore, sometimes it is not the team's will to be annoyed, but the media fanning the flames.

Once their arrogant remarks are released, they will definitely succeed in adding a batch of black fans to the Mavericks.

Sure enough, someone on the Internet immediately stood up to refute, saying that Yiyang and Iguodala's rough defense had actually constituted an offensive foul, but it was only because the Mavericks were playing at home and the referee took special care of them, so they became the final winners.

The two sides have been arguing about this matter. Until two days after the end of the Christmas war, the heat has not dissipated.

On Dec. 27, the day after the Christmas game, the Mavericks waited at home for the Los Angeles Lakers.

After Kobe Bryant's comeback this season, people were full of expectations for the Lakers. As a result, Kobe, who is no longer at his peak, has no way to save the Lakers on his own. But even if the Lakers have a poor record, many fans are very satisfied to be able to continue to see Kobe Bryant play. After all, in the past two seasons, Kobe Bryant has not played any games, and has faded out of the league for a long, long time because of injuries.

But this year, less than two months after the start of the regular season, the Lakers received bad news again.

In mid-December, Bryant felt shoulder discomfort during a game with the Pelicans. After the game, it was found that it was a torn right button muscle.

"I've had a torn shoulder before, and at that time I was able to average 40 points a month when I played with an injury." Obviously, after just discovering the discomfort in his shoulder, Kobe Bryant was not impressed.

But then, due to the increased discomfort in his shoulder, Bryant had to choose a truce. As it turns out, Kobe Bryant is really old. He used to average 40 points per game with a torn shoulder, but now he has a torn shoulder and is in danger of being reimbursed for the third consecutive season. As long as Kobe Bryant chooses surgery, season reimbursement is a sure thing. Now, it's up to Kobe Bryant to choose.

As a result, the Lakers lost the "Black Mamba" again. So this Lakers vs. Mavericks game also lost the only attraction.

Bryant is not there, and the Lakers simply have no way to compete with the Mavericks. Before the start of this game, people also said that it was not a confrontation at all, but a one-sided slaughter.

The result, of course, was that the Mavericks won the game, winning two in a row at home, turning the record into 29-3. But the process is far from what everyone expected.

102-98, the Dallas Mavericks, the first in the league, only won by 4 points against the Lakers in the end! A narrow win by 4 points, which is obviously a result that no one expected.

The Lakers didn't have anyone in 20, but they played in double figures with six players.

Among them, Nick, who was also a member of the Mavericks championship last season. Young, who shot 5-of-8 from three-point range, scored 18 points. He hit three three-pointers in a row in the fourth quarter, which is why the game became so scorching.

Looking at Nick, who couldn't stop him when he was pumping the wind. Young, Carlisle misses it a lot. But it's helpless, Nick. Yang's pursuit of money is clearly far greater than honor. And no other team has attracted more money than the Los Angeles Lakers.

The Mavericks did not perform badly in this game, Yiyang had 27 points and 10 assists, Wade and Dirk also scored 17 and 15 points respectively, which can be said to be a normal performance.

Although he won the victory, the slight gap of 4 points undoubtedly allowed those "calf blacks" who were frowning to find a breakthrough to vent.

Now, if the Mavericks don't win any game, these sunspots will lose as Mavericks.

"Playing with the Lakers without Kobe Bryant and making the opposing 6 score double-doubles. I have to admit that the Mavericks' defense is really 'outstanding'. ”

"It turns out that Yi and Iguodala were able to contain the knights during the Christmas war, but it was just luck. Look at their defense against the Lakers today, it's just full of holes! ”

"Even the Lakers almost got them done, and the Dallas Mavericks aren't invincible."

Most of these remarks are one-sided, and the Mavericks' defense is good, and it's not just about playing the Cavaliers. They only occasionally slacken their defense for a day, and they are caught by the people who are black and black.

Playing a team like the Lakers, the Mavericks players naturally don't want to spend too much effort. If the Mavericks defend every game like they did in the last five minutes of the Christmas game, they won't be able to play half a season, and Cuban may have to go to the development league to pick people. Because of that play, the Mavericks players are sure to get injured one after another. No one in this world can finish 82 matches with that intensity.

Didn't go all out, which is why the Mavericks let the Lakers lose by only four points today.

Therefore, most of the criticism Yiyang does not care. Those ridiculous criticisms that come out of nothing will naturally be forgotten over time. Anyway, they won today.

But at this time, Westbrook stood up at an inopportune time.

"The Mavericks' defense? They do seem to be very strong defensively. But I'm really looking forward to tomorrow's matchup with the Mavericks because there's no defense in this league that I can't break down. I'll learn a lot in tomorrow's game! ”

This is a video of Westbrook being interviewed by reporters on the training ground today, in the video, Westbrook is not afraid of the Mavericks, but also says "There is no defense that I can't break" to show provocation.

Yiyang can not care about what other people say, but from the naked contempt of the opponent, Yiyang can't turn a blind eye.

In fact, it is not for nothing that Westbrook is confident. This season, the Thunder did not have Durant, who was reimbursed for the season due to injury, and Westbrook was the only one. He averaged 28.1 points, 7.3 rebounds and 8.1 assists per game, all three of which were career highs, and it was almost a terrifying average of a quasi-triple-double.

While the Thunder have not had a good season, Westbrook's individual performance has been impeccable. No team can stop his onslaught, and no defensive stalwart can really deal with him.

With this quasi-triple-double per game, Westbrook is currently ranked third on the MVP prediction list! The two people in front of him are Curry and Yiyang.

This shows that Westbrook has been very strong this season. What's more, the Mavericks are still fighting back-to-back tomorrow, and they are still playing so hard against the Lakers today, which makes Westbrook full of confidence that he will win.

That night, ESPN also invited P.J. Calesimo, the former Thunder coach, to be an exclusive guest on a certain show. The topic of their conversation was none other than Westbrook. This can be regarded as a warm-up for tomorrow's game.

"I know that guy has been questioned this season, some say he's too selfish, some say he doesn't know how to lead a team. But in the absence of Durant, Russell has to! I mean, you have to carry the banner of scoring! If he doesn't fill the void left by Durant, then who can? ”

Calesimo was a big blow to Westbrook on the show, and the outside world thought that Westbrook had been reduced to a data brush this season, but it was clear that Calesimo did not agree. He thinks that everything is what Westbrook should do.

"Tomorrow, the Mavericks will play back-to-back games against the Thunder at home. In an interview earlier today, Westbrook said he was going to break down the Mavericks' defense. In your opinion, Westbrook is bluffing? ”

"Of course not!" Calesimo hurriedly waved his hand. "In this alliance, only Russell has the capital to say something like that. His impact was terrifying, and from the first day he entered the league, I told myself, look, this kid is likely to be the most impactful defender in the league. As a result, this is now the case. No defender in this league can hold Westbrook back, not even that. The Mavericks can beat the Lakers by four points today. But tomorrow, they don't expect the Thunder to give up the victory. ”

"Looks like you have a lot of faith in Westbrook, Mr. Calesimo." ESPN's host smiled awkwardly, isn't this former Thunder coach blowing a little too much?

"Of course, after all, he's the best player I've ever coached." Calesimo smiled, he didn't even add the word "one".

"Okay, audience friends, this is the end of today's program. Tomorrow, Mr. Calesimo will be a special guest commentator to enjoy what is destined to be a very exciting match. Welcome to ESPN and we'll see you next time. ”

After the host finished speaking, the TV immediately began to broadcast commercials. Playing the Lakers by only 4 points, this is really not the level that the Mavericks should be. But to threaten to break through the Mavericks' defense on that basis is that Westbrook and Calesimo are a little too arrogant.

Mavericks assistant coach Darrell. Armstrong turned off the TV, he didn't know if Yiyang watched the show or not, but he knew it.

In the face of the enemy's provocation, Yiyang will never sit idly by. At least, he won't sit back in action......

3rd on the MVP leaderboard? Don't forget, your opponent is at the top of the list.