Chapter 591: The Graveyard of the Winning Streak?
"Coach Carlisle, will I not be attending today's game, is the news true!?"
"Also, are you really not going to play today?"
"If you don't play, who will you use to defend Kyle? What about Lori? Tony. Aaron or Darren. Collison. ”
When the Mavericks players appeared in the tunnel, countless reporters swarmed up and stretched out their microphones. If it weren't for the stadium security to stop the reporters, Carlisle and Yiyang would probably not be able to move an inch.
Although Carlisle and Yiyang did not answer any reporters' questions, judging from Yiyang's state alone, this guy is indeed very abnormal today.
Yiyang was holding a pack of toilet paper in his hand and was wiping his nose at any time. His eyes were blank and he seemed to walk limply. Judging from the rich experience of these reporters, Yiyang's flu must really be gone!
On the other hand, the Raptors naturally could not escape the "pursuit" of the media. DeRozan, Lowry and black coach Dwayne. Casey became the most popular trio.
"I don't know if he's going to play, but whether he plays or not, I'm going to do my best to stop the losing streak." Facing the camera, DeRozan spread his hands unconcernedly. Yiyang doesn't play or not, it doesn't affect him.
DeRozan was in great form today and he was determined to win the game. Even if Yiyang is here, it can't change DeRozan's goal.
"If I hadn't played, I would have had a lot less pressure." Lowry's answer was very honest, no point guard in this league wanted to play against Yiyang, not even Paul. If Yiyang is really absent due to illness, it will undoubtedly be a good thing for Lowry.
"Whether we play or not, we have to take it seriously. A team that can create a 20-game winning streak certainly does not rely on the efforts of a star. Of course, without Yi, we will have more initiative at home! "Dwayne. Casey is calm on the surface, but inside she is actually very excited. Toronto's extreme low temperature really helped him a lot!
Although the Mavericks are still strong, without Yiyang, the difficulty of this game will undoubtedly drop a lot.
After being interviewed by reporters, Casey stepped onto the pitch with her head held high. The land of the north is inviolable!
While the players warmed up on the field, the cameras on the scene were unanimous in focus on the visiting bench at the Air Canada Centre arena. There, Yiyang sat alone, holding a cup of hot water in his hand.
The players on the field were already sweating profusely, while Yiyang was still wrapped in training clothes, and from time to time he picked up the paper placed next to him to wipe his nose.
"Earlier today, it was reported that he would not be able to play because of the flu. At the time, I thought it was a frivolous rumor, but now it seems to be true. Seeing that everyone else was warming up, but Yiyang was still sitting on the bench, there was naturally an answer to the question of whether Yiyang could play.
Until the start of the game, Yiyang also sat on the bench and did not get up. At the start of the game, Darren. Collison has dropped his training jersey and started for the first time this season. And Yiyang, the staff handed him a blanket, Yiyang covered it on his body, and started today's game comfortably as a "spectator".
From the start of the race, DeRozan took the lead in the middle distance. Face Tony. Allen's defense, DeRozan went straight back and made a jumper.
On the commentary stage, Chris. Webb is still complaining about whether DeRozan is a little too excited. As a result, the basketball hollowed into the net and rolled up a "white wave".
"In Tony. Allen took the lead in front of him, and it seems that DeRozan's state today is not ordinary. Webb looked at DeRozan's performance in the last three games. 24, 25 and 23, very stable.
However, in the face of the calf, it doesn't seem to be enough to cut about 20 points......
DeRozan happily high-fived Lowry after the goal, and he was in the same good shape as he was when he first practiced!
Seeing DeRozan score, Yiyang didn't feel too nervous. Basketball is different from football, you can't have a team and a player go the whole game without scoring. Scoring a goal first doesn't mean anything, being able to last until the end is a reflection of strength.
However, just twenty seconds later, DeRozan scored again.
"Aerial relay dunk, from Kyle. Lowry's pass! DeRozan's cut was very abrupt, and even Tony. Aaron didn't even have time to react. The two backcourt partners are quite tacit, Lowry's pass and DeRozan's jump timing are just right! ”
Hanging on the basket, DeRozan refused to let go. He remembered the first thing Lori had said to himself after Guy had left a month earlier.
"It's counting on us now, either we'll do a good job, or we'll have to fuck off!"
Well, let's do it!
scored two goals in a row, which undoubtedly boosted DeRozan's confidence! He became more and more focused, and DeRozan's performance after that also made Yiyang's brows on the bench furrow deeper and deeper.
In the first quarter of the game, one of the names that Webb said the most was DeRozan. Shooting, breaking, and making kills, DeRozan can do almost anything except for three points. You know, he's facing Tony. Ah, Aaron!
DeRozan has put the Mavericks in a tough battle on the court, entering rotation time, and due to the lack of Yiyang, Carlisle has to let Devin . Harris, a veteran who has long faded from the limelight, came off the bench.
German. Harris was once one of the best point guards in the league, and he happened to make a name for himself with the Mavericks. After going around the league teams and coming back, Harris has gone from being a young man to an old guy. But equally, his abilities have degraded with age and injuries.
At the beginning of the season, even if Harris didn't play much, he just trained, and experienced a lot of injuries. Fortunately, Harris is healthy today, otherwise Cuban and Carlisle may have to go to the Development League to pan for gold.
Although Harris is still famous, there is indeed not much strength left. Coupled with the fact that he has not played an official game in a long time, Harris is in terrible form.
Facing the Raptors bench guard, Venenella Greaves Greaves. The onslaught of Vasquith, Harris was completely helpless. Height, strength and speed, Harris was completely suppressed by the Venezuelan people!
If the first nine minutes of the game were DeRozan's solo performance, the last three minutes of the rotation time were Vasquith's stage.
In 3 minutes, Vasquith scored 6 points and 2 assists, which made Harris shake his head helplessly. Time and injuries are really the worst enemies of professional footballers.
The first quarter ended with the Raptors leading by 11 points, 30-19. Carlisle stood up anxiously with the tactical board and walked to the pile of players, Yiyang was isolated outside, which felt quite unpleasant. Obviously on the court, but outside the game. Yiyang clenched his fists, but what could he do if he went up like this?
After the start of the second quarter, Nowitzki and Iguodala increased the number of active shots according to Carlisle's arrangement. Raptors power forward Amir. Johnson is a rough player who likes to solve problems with his strong body on the defensive end. But in the face of Nowitzki's nearly 3-meter-high shot, 2.06 meters Amir. No matter how strong Johnson is, he can't make up for it. You know, the basket used in NBA games is only 3.05 meters.
With Nowitzki's excellent play, the Mavericks gradually closed the score. Seeing that the situation of the game is about to be reversed, DeRozan has stepped up again!
This time, instead of making a second in the middle range, DeRozan hit the basket in succession.
It stands to reason that with Gobert under the basket, DeRozan attacking the basket is not a wise choice. But today, the whistle of the on-field referee seems to be more skewed towards the Raptors playing at home. DeRozan repeatedly fouled and walked to the free throw line, making Carlisle angry off the court.
After DeRozan, the No. 5 pick in '11, Lithuanian center Jonas. Valanciunas is also starting to make a difference. Four early fouls on his back made Gobert timid on the defensive end, which undoubtedly gave Valanciunas plenty of scoring opportunities.
With DeRozan and Valanciunas inside and out, the Raptors stretched the margin to 15 points at halftime. Nowitzki's one-man play, there is simply no way to compete with it.
"No, the Mavericks played very hard today! If their performance hadn't improved in the second half, the 20-game winning streak would probably have ended in Toronto! Webb shook his head, the Mavericks were really unlucky.
If it is played normally, even without Yiyang, the Mavericks have the ability to suppress the Raptors. But today, without Yiyang, DeRozan played a big explosion. He scored 18 points in the first half of the game, and the shooting percentage was very high. For the Mavericks, who have lost their star in the house, this is undoubtedly adding to the situation.
After the start of the third quarter, Iguodala finally stopped "playing dead". '12 No. 8 rookie Terrence. Although Rose is a flashy dunk jumper, he is still too young and has been repeatedly caught by Iguodala on the offensive end.
Well, though, the efforts of Iguodala and Nowitzki didn't make the score much closer. Because after they scored, DeRozan and Lowry, who were in great form, were always able to pull the score back.
By the end of the third quarter, DeRozan had scored 32 points. And the Raptors are still leading by 10 points!
Nowitzki and Iguodala both played at a high level, which is a pity, DeRozan directly played at a super level.
"Demar. DeRozan showed no mercy, losing back-to-back games to teams like the Lakers and Bobcats that seemed to fill him with a strong desire to win. With 12 minutes to go, DeRozan had already scored 32 points. I wouldn't be surprised if he scored more than 40 points today. Webb was completely impressed by DeRozan's performance, and the ceiling of that lanky guard seemed to be bigger than people thought.
In the fourth quarter, Dwayne. Casey didn't let the Raptors' furious offense continue. Because the black coach knows that if you want to win the game, you have to rely on defense.
Now, the Raptors have taken a sizable 10-point advantage. So, he can also change the focus of the game from offense to defense.
The Raptors' increased defensive intensity has put the Mavericks in a quagmire. Iguodala was caught in the trap, and Valanciunas, who was tall and armed, defended Nowitzki himself. While solidifying the defense, DeRozan can also make a difference on the offensive end.
In the 2nd minute and 48 seconds of the fourth quarter, DeRozan received a pass from Lowry and shot directly, and the basketball went into the net as hollow as before. Aaron held his head in his hands in annoyance, he actually let that guy cut off 40 points on his head!
"40 points, Demar. DeRozan broke the record for the highest score of his career! God, I guess even LeBron would have a hard time scoring 40 points on Tony's head. What more can I say? It's a night destined to belong to Demar! The Mavericks' winning streak is over! ”
After DeRozan's goal, Carlisle called the game off again. That guy is so hot that it's hard to suppress at all.
Yiyang originally thought that the team could win without himself. But now, the reality is far from what I imagined.
2 minutes and 47 seconds, a difference of 12 points. It looks like the Mavericks' winning streak is destined to be buried. Just when Carlisle was at a loss, he seemed to feel that someone had pulled his suit.
Carlisle looked back and saw that it was Yiyang.
"I want to go out there and try it."
As soon as Yiyang's words came out, he immediately attracted the attention of everyone in the team.
"Huh?" The bewildered Carlisle didn't know how to answer, and let out a sigh like a conditional launch.
"In the last two minutes, I want to go on the field and try it." Yiyang repeated his words, then lifted the blanket, stood up and moved his arms.
Does a 20-game winning streak matter? Of course it's important. But to be honest, Yiyang doesn't really care about such an ethereal thing as a winning streak. Not every team on the all-time list of winning streaks has won the O'Brien Cup.
Since the winning streak can't get you the O'Brien Cup, then this thing is not the most important thing for Yiyang.
But if he wants to sit on the sidelines and watch the team lose, Yiyang really can't do it.
This has nothing to do with the record, only the win or loss.
Everyone on the Mavericks team was stunned, but Yiyang's eyes were extremely firm.