Chapter 63: A Fatal Mistake (Part II)
Yu Jia shouted excitedly: "Zhang Zifeng pressed Anderson and scored the ball with a smashing dunk." Now the 76ers are just three points away. With 46 seconds left, there is still hope for the 76ers! ”
Zhang Li continued: "Yes, as long as the 76ers can prevent the Rockets' next offense, they have a great hope of winning the reversal!" In the next round, if nothing else, Harden will attack, and Zhang Zifeng needs to defend well! ”
Offense and defense transitioned, this offense was very crucial, and Harden carried the ball to the front court himself.
Dribbling to the frontcourt, Harden didn't rush to attack. He's trying to hold the tempo, trying to slow it down.
Zhang Zifeng and Beverley were entangled throughout the game, and in the fourth quarter, in order to limit Harden, Zhang Zifeng used his running to prevent Harden from receiving the ball.
Now Zhang Zifeng is very tired.
But the game has already defeated this, and Zhang Zifeng can only grit his teeth and persevere!
Zhang Zifeng moved his feet back and forth, using experience to judge the card position in advance.
Capela came up, and Harden used cover to get inside.
"Knorr, quick, change guards!" Zhang Zifeng shouted, immediately bypassed Capela and desperately chased after Harden.
Harden didn't pass the ball, and he believed he could handle it. In the face of Knoll, Harden changed direction in front of his body and swung sharply to pull the ball to his left hand.
Accelerating, a big stride flashed past Knoll and into the box, where he picked the ball up to the basket with his left hand.
Harden is left-handed, and a left-handed layup is more beneficial to him.
Watching the basketball fly towards the basket, a smile appeared on Harden's lips. But suddenly his smile stopped, and he saw a large yellow-skinned hand appear over the basketball.
The ball was out of his hand, and it was impossible to avoid the block. Harden could only watch as the big hand fanned the basketball.
Syllable!
Yu Jia shouted excitedly: "Beautiful cover!" Zhang Zifeng's timing appeared very well. The 76ers still have a chance. ”
"Oh no, the ball was snatched by Beverley!"
Beverley, who grabbed the rebound, immediately threw a small ball before Ibaka rushed up.
Watch the ball fly over your head, watch it hit the rebound and land to the basket. Zhang Zifeng was full of helplessness.
"Beverley made a shot, the ball went in! With only 20 seconds left in the game, the Rockets lead by 5 points, and the 76ers are in danger! ”
Seeing the rebound being grabbed by Beverley, Brett. Brown almost rushed onto the court in anger and yelled at a couple of post players.
Now there are only 20 seconds left in the race, five points behind, and the situation is grim. Brett. Brown quickly called a timeout.
CCTV took advantage of the pause time, Zhang Hehe understood; With this goal, Zhang Zifeng has done everything he can. But it's a pity that a teammate's mistake at the most critical moment allowed Beverley to grab this key rebound and score the ball. wasted Zhang Zifeng's efforts. ‘
Yu Jia also said, "Now that the game is only my second, the 76ers have to score a goal and then quickly foul, and they also have to expect the Rockets to make free throws." However, there is still hope for the 76ers, after all, there are too many miracles in the NBA, just like the Miller moment that scored 8 seconds in a row, like the Maddie moment that scored 13 points in 35 seconds, I hope that Zhang Zifeng will also create Zhang Zifeng moment today. ‘
Brett. Brown took the tactics board and shouted, 'We don't have much time left, we have to risk our threes.' Of course, the opponent will not give us a chance easily, we will shoot Jack first, but the opponent will not give us this opportunity easily, no matter who receives the ball, if there is a chance, do not hesitate. Got it'
The 76ers nodded in unison.
Now it's time to grab a three-pointer, Brett. Brown put Zhang Zifeng, Sharic, Stauskas, and McConaughey, the team's highest-shooting players in three-point shooting percentage, all on the court. Ibaka is the only one left on the inside to grab rebounds.
After the timeout, the Rockets also said that Harden was replaced and replaced by Gordon.
It seems that D'Antoni is also very aware that Harden's defense is unreliable.
As soon as the whistle sounded, Zhang Zifeng hurriedly ran.
The Rockets know that Zhang Zifeng is the most threatening one in the 76ers.
Anderson teamed up with Beverley to wrap Zhang Zifeng left and right, and did not give him a chance to catch the ball.
Failed to run out of the vacancy twice in the switchback run, and Zhang Zifeng was anxious.
If you don't run out of the open space after 5 seconds of serving, you won't have a chance.
Zhang Zifeng shouted, 'TJ, cover.' ‘
Zhang Zifeng used McConaughey's cover to shake off Anderson, leaving Beverley behind.
Zhang Zifeng made a sharp stop, stuck Beverley behind him, and was ready to catch the ball first, and then suddenly stepped back to make a jumper.
Resisting Beverley behind him, Zhang Zifeng reached out and signaled for a pass.
Ibaka saw it and immediately passed the ball.
Zhang Zifeng habitually arched his ass back, trying to knock Beverley away and create space, so he turned around and stepped back to make a jumper.
What Zhang Zifeng didn't expect was that Beverly was going to die.
When Zhang Zifeng's buttocks arched back, Beverly suddenly stepped back.
Zhang Zifeng couldn't find the focus point, and suddenly couldn't maintain his center of gravity.
In the shocked eyes of the 76ers fans in the stadium, Zhang Zifeng fell backwards.
I watched the ball fly towards me, but I fell backwards.
In a panic, Zhang Zifeng fell down, desperately trying to grab the basketball and retain the last bit of hope.
But it's a pity that basketball is like a naughty child, and Zhang Zifeng can't catch basketball.
Zhang Zifeng, who fell to the ground, could only watch Beverley rush forward to grab the ball, and then launched a fast break and made a layup.
Yu Jia was taken aback and shouted, 'Ah...... Zhang Zifeng made a mistake in catching the ball and fell. Beverley makes a steal and layup. The 76ers are already seven points behind. ‘
With only 14 seconds left and seven points behind, unless Maddie is possessed and Miller reappears, there is really no way to turn the tide in this little time.
It's just that the game is not the last one, and you can't give up hope.
Brett. Brown called another timeout and arranged a new rush tactic.
Coming back from the timeout, it was still Ibaka's serve.
In order to make up for the mistake just now, Zhang Zifeng worked harder this time.
Taking advantage of the cover of TJ and Stauskas, Zhang Zifeng finally received the ball on the left side.
It should be the coach of the Rockets who told his players not to foul and not to give the opponent a chance to add penalties.
This time, Beverly didn't stick as tightly as before.
Zhang Zifeng jumped up and made a move.
disappointed the fans in the audience, Zhang Zifeng shot too quickly, and there was no usual shooting rhythm at all.
The ball hits the basket, bounces high and flies straight out of bounds.
Only 10 left. 7 seconds later, when the Rockets served the baseline ball again.
Harden is back up, and Zhang Zifeng and Ibaka colleagues chase Harden.
Anderson eventually passed the ball to Beverley, and Rondo quickly fouled him.
This time Beverley withstood the pressure and made 2 of 2 free throws.
With only 9,1 seconds left in the race, but 9 points behind, everyone knew the game was over.
In the last moments, the 76ers are no longer on offense.
Soon after full-time, the Rockets withstood the 76ers' late comeback as they defeated the Philadelphia 76ers 113-106 on the road.
The Rockets ended a two-game losing streak and the 76ers' winning streak was ended.
The 76ers' Rondo had 13 points and nine assists, and Grant had 12 points and four rebounds. Sharic had 14 points and five rebounds, and Knoll had 10 points and 13 rebounds.
Zhang Zifeng scored 19 points, 12 assists and 10 rebounds in a triple-double.
But Harden was even more eye-catching, getting the first player in history to score at least a 50-plus-double in a single season, with 51 points, 13 assists and 13 rebounds.
Capela had 17 points and six rebounds, Anderson had 11 points and five rebounds and Beverley had 13 assists.
After the game, the CCTV live commentator made a post-game summary.
Yu Jia asked, 'Coach Zhang, what do you think is the main reason for the failure of the 76ers?'
Zhang said, "The lack of offense is not intentional to be the biggest problem for the 76ers right now. After Embiid's injury, the 76ers have one less interior player who can open up space and contribute 20+ per game. The 76ers don't have a good replacement for Embiid right now. No matter how powerful Zhang Zifeng is, it is impossible to watch three or forty points per game. After Zhang Zifeng's bad hand, who can stand up and help the team shoulder the scoring burden is a problem that the 76ers need to solve now. ‘
Yu Jia continued to ask, "Then Director Zhang, how do you think the 76ers should solve this problem with the current situation?"
Zhang said, "After Embiid's injury, the 76ers tried to play a small lineup, and it worked well. But the small lineup consumes too much physical energy and can't support the whole game. All the 76ers can do now is devise the right tactics to get the whole team involved in the offense. Or through trades, to strengthen the team. ‘
Yu Jia turned his head to look at the live broadcast station and said, "Okay, thank you Director Zhang for your wonderful comments......
With the end of the game, watching the fans leave the stadium in disappointment, Zhang Zifeng also walked into the locker room in disappointment.
Bad feeling, too many mistakes, and then encountering a mad dog defender, the whole game is out of his control.
Zhang Zifeng simply washed up and prepared to attend the press conference.
When the performance is good, the reporter will praise the sky, and dare to write all kinds of shameless praise.
But once you don't behave well, they can trample you on the ground and make things difficult.
Zhang Zifeng took a deep breath, and then walked into the press conference with a calm face.
At this time, both pairs of coaches were already being interviewed by reporters.
In addition to bringing Harden to the press conference, D'Antoni also contributed to Patrick, another hero. Beverly was also brought to the press conference.
The Houston Post reporter was the first to ask, 'Mr. Patrick, you defended well today and managed to limit Zhang Zifeng and help the team win.' Can you briefly talk about your opinion on today's opponent Zhang Zifeng?
Beverley said, 'To be honest, Zhang Zifeng is a tough guy to deal with. It's a tough challenge to face a scorer like him, and he can attack from any corner of the court at any time. All I can do is always be vigilant and not give him an easy shot. ‘
Then Harden and D'Antoni also spoke highly of Zhang Zifeng.
'Coach Brett, how do you see Zhang Zifeng's performance in this game. Do you think the team's defeat was mainly due to Zhang Zifeng's last mistake? The New York Times reporter stood up and asked.
Brett. Brown put the blame on himself, saying, 'No, no, no, you can see how good Zhang Zifeng has been this season, both offensively and defensively, he has been a great help to the team. He didn't do well today, mainly because he wasn't in form. But even Zhang Zifeng, who is not in the state, can still get three doubles, which proves that he is powerful. As for the defeat in this game, it was mainly my responsibility because I didn't prepare well before the game, which made it a little difficult for us to attack in the game. That's the main reason why we ended up losing on our own home turf. ‘
Seeing Zhang Zifeng walk in, reporters quickly turned their attention away from head coach Brett. Brown was transferred to Zhang Zifeng.
Obviously, Zhang Zifeng is the person they are eager to interview.
A white reporter stood up and asked, 'Hello, Zhang. I'm a reporter for the New York Post, and you had a terrible game, limiting Beverley on the offensive end and blowing up Harden on the defensive end. What do you think of this game. ‘
Zhang Zifeng squeezed his shoulders and said, "I don't think anyone likes failure, and I hate failure very, very much." But the reality is that we lost at home and that's unfortunate. The Rockets played better than us, and that was the main reason for our loss. ‘
Another reporter stood up and continued to ask, 'Zhang, Harden is your main opponent this season, whether it's shooting guard or MVP competition, you're your direct opponents. Excuse me, what do you think of Harden. ‘
As soon as this question came out, the audience immediately fell silent.
They were looking forward to how Zhang Zifeng would answer this question, and their ears were pricked up.
Brett on the side. Brown also looked at Zhang Zifeng with a little worry, he was worried that Zhang Zifeng would affect his emotions because of the loss of the game, and saying controversial words here would only push him to the forefront.
After looking at Harden, Zhang Zifeng smiled and said, "There is no doubt that James is a very good player, and he can be ranked in the top five among active players in the league. ‘
Zhang Zifeng's answer was very official, and such an answer was obviously satisfactory to the press department in the audience. But Brett. Brown was very satisfied with Zhang Zifeng's answer.
As soon as the reporter sat down, another reporter stood up and asked, 'Then Zhang, you said James.' Harden is a top-five player on the active roster. What about you, how many do you think you'll be in the queue. The top five is still the top ten, or the top twenty. ‘
Hearing this question, the reporters present looked at Zhang Zifeng seriously, hoping to hear what they wanted from his mouth.
But it's a pity that Zhang Zifeng disappointed them again.
Zhang Zifeng smiled and said, "Man, you have to know that I'm just a second-year rookie. I'm just starting out on the road, and being in the middle of the list isn't my priority for the time being. What I'm thinking about now is how to continue to improve myself. Don't let anything like this happen today.
Hearing Zhang Zifeng say that he was a second-year rookie, the reporters present couldn't help but sigh.
How many rookies in the league have achieved what you have achieved in their second year in the league.
The math is James, Duncan, O'Neal, Jordan, Johnson.
Think about who these people are, all of them are top NBA superstars.
This kid has a bright future.
But when they heard Zhang Zifeng modestly say that he wanted to continue to improve his strength, a group of reporters, including Beverley, couldn't help but complain in their hearts.
You're so good now, you have to continue to improve, and you don't let others live!