The miracle Thomas was hoping for didn't happen until the end of the first half, 60-44, which was the final score of the first half, and the game seemed to be about to turn into a one-sided rhythm from the point of view alone, which also made the Pacers players feel very unhappy. After all, they also reached the Finals last season, although they failed to grab the O'Brien Cup in the hands of the Lakers, but at least they show that they are one of the two strongest teams in the league, and now they are actually 16 points behind at halftime, who can bear it?

Back in the locker room, the team's boss Miller stepped up and started cheering his team-mates, even if his own performance in the first half was just as bad. Looking at everyone's listlessness, Miller waved his arms and said loudly, "I know the 76ers played beautifully in the first two quarters, but so what? The game isn't over yet! We haven't lost yet! The 16-point gap is not an insurmountable chasm, and as a Finals team, I think it's important for us to give them a little bit of color! Fortunately, Miller is not familiar with Chinese, otherwise he would have said the phrase "The tiger does not threaten you and I am a sick cat".

Seeing Miller all speak up, Thomas cleared his throat and said, "We have a completely different style from our opponents, they tend to be more offensive and we tend to be defensive. The disadvantage in the first half was mainly because they played their own style and we were driven by them, so I asked everyone to keep the pace down in the second half. ”

"And you, Reggie," Thomas looked at Miller, "you didn't give the team enough to score in the first half, and we can't just rely on Jalen and Jermaine to score." As a legendary point guard in NBA history, Thomas is older than Jordan, let alone Miller, and he is the only one who dares to speak to Miller in such a tone.

Miller blushed, knowing that he didn't do much to help the team in the first half under Snow's stalking, which is one of the reasons why the Pacers were always pressed by opponents in the first half. He nodded and said, "I'll make adjustments in the second half, but I also hope that everyone will cover for me, after all, I'm almost old enough to retire, and my legs and feet can't keep up." ”

It was a different story in the home dressing room, with Brown giving a rare compliment to his players: "In the first 24 minutes alone, everyone played really well and did their job well, whether it's the attacking players or the defensive giants, everyone was able to do their part in the tactical system, and I'm very happy with that." ”

Before everyone could finish happy, Brown changed his words: "But a 16-point lead doesn't mean we're in the hands of this win." The Pacers were runners-up last season and they won't be willing to lose, so I think they're going to be crazy in the second half, and that's going to be the time to test our defense and our ability to withstand pressure. ”

Brown then called Snow, Lynch and Mutombo by name, and said solemnly: "The three of you will be the focus of the team's defensive system, and Allen and Rassad will also give you some help, but I don't think it will be too much." I want you to bite your opponent like a mad dog and don't give them any shots, remember, I say 'any'. ”

Of course, as an experienced head coach, Brown knows that he can't do anything without giving his opponent any shots, but that doesn't stop him from using it as a requirement for his players. In Brown's view, raising the bar allows players to work harder on the field, and even if they don't meet their goals, it will be much better than putting up a relatively low bar.

Iverson didn't react to Brown's confessions, he has always been like that, and he can't do much on the defensive end other than forcing a few gambling steals when defending the opposition's main control. But Lewis blushed a little, this feeling of being excluded is not very good, although Brown is obviously doing his best, he still feels a little ashamed, which also makes him think: Shouldn't he improve his defensive ability?

The break-time went by quickly, and the players had to eat to recharge while listening to the manager's tactics, or do some physiotherapy to recuperate. Now that Chang Wei's status is rising, he no longer needs to do such a thing as massaging the players, so he just stands and listens to Brown's guidance while thinking carefully.

In Chang Wei's view, the threat of the Pacers is not as good as that of the Lakers, in other words, he thinks that the team's only goal this season is to beat the Lakers, and the Pacers don't take it into his eyes at all. Miller is certainly the strongest of the players who didn't win a championship, but now that he's getting older, Snow should be able to handle him easily. As for Rose and O'Neal Jr., Chang Wei doesn't believe that the two of them alone can win this game, even if they play against each other, Chang Wei also has strong confidence in the 76ers.

But Chang Wei soon realized that his idea was wrong, and it was ridiculously wrong. Sometimes those players who originally only existed in videos, videotapes, newspapers and magazines are alive in front of you, and you will find that they are far more powerful than you think, and their strength can only be vividly reflected in real weapons, such as Miller, who is 35 years old this year.

At the beginning of the second half, Miller seemed to have regained the form of fighting against Jordan. Although his speed has not been as good as before, his teammates can make up for his shortcomings, with O'Neal Jr. and Crohill taking turns to cover him in the high post and Rose and Best to open up space for him, giving Miller the opportunity to make the most of his projection.

In three consecutive rounds, Miller hit three three-pointers from almost the same position, giving the 76ers a straight head shot. Snow tried hard to stick to the jam, but he was always stuck behind by the big man of the Pacers, and could only watch as Miller took up and shot with almost no adjustments, and then the sound of the basketball hollowing into the frame.

The 76ers only hit two mid-range shots by Iverson and Lynch, and the difference was instantly chased by the Pacers to 11 points. It's a pretty delicate score, and as long as the Pacers score the ball in the next round, then the difference can be reduced to single digits, which can undoubtedly boost the morale of the team, so this round is crucial for both sides.

Brown couldn't help but stand up and shouted a few words at the court, asking the players to switch to full-court pressing, hoping to nip the threat in the bud, and it would be better if he could complete a steal counterattack.