Vol 3 Chapter 279: Rondo

"Back to New Orleans, everything will be fine!"
No matter how people understand the meaning of Davis's sentence, at least, his unwillingness is obvious. Davis's performance in these two games was actually good enough. The continuous 30+10 performance shocked everyone who followed this series.
In fact, Davis's personal ability is beyond doubt. Before this round of the series, Barkley said: Anthony Davis can now be included in the discussion of the league's top three, he can dominate the offensive and defensive ends. O'Neal also said frankly: The biggest advantage of the Pelicans is the inside. Only by playing Davis's advantage can they have a chance to defeat the Thunder.
But one person's performance alone cannot win the game. From the last two quarters of the first game and the second game, it can be seen that when the Thunder made a targeted defensive strategy, Davis's life was difficult. Especially when Holiday and Milotic collectively misfired, the Thunder can focus more defensive attention on Davis. All of a sudden, the Pelicans' entire offense collapsed.
Before this series, the thick eyebrow brother Zeng Haoyan is confident to beat the Thunder. But these two games undoubtedly dampened their morale greatly. Next, the game will return to New Orleans, the situation may improve slightly. As the team leader, Davis must seize this opportunity to find a way to win and avoid a sweep like in 2015.
"There is no doubt that Anthony is a superstar. If you watch these two games, you know that I am not talking politely. We won two games, but Anthony did not lose a game! He almost completely dominated offense and defense. Both ends. His role in the game is not just a manifestation of statistics. As long as he is on the court, our offense under the basket is very difficult." An Luo expressed his views when receiving a reporter: "The Pelicans need someone to come forward and help him! But it will be difficult. We know each other well. Before this series, Billy took us to study their first-round video together. We were prepared very well. Even if not. Oklahoma, we can also win the game."
Affirm the opponent, but extremely confident. This is An Luo's attitude towards the third game of the upcoming series. At the same time, this is also the attitude of everyone at Thunder. Their goal is not the second round, or even the Western Conference Finals. If you don't have such self-confidence, you will certainly not go far.
However, having said that, Donovan and the players are still very cautious. After they came to New Orleans, they began a series of adaptation training. Although the geography and climate of New Orleans are not as bad as Denver Plateau and Salt Lake City, it is different from Oklahoma City. They must minimize the influence of these off-site factors.
May 4, 2018, New Orleans Arena. An Luo continued to circumvent the ball from Felton on the three-point line, practicing for three points. This game is definitely very difficult, he must find a way to stand up and give the team the greatest help. Even if you can't let go of scoring, you have to maximize your influence on the court.
The Pelicans players ran out of the player tunnel one by one. The entrance ceremony here is different from the Chesapeake Energy Ball. Holiday, as the team's number two player, is the first to appear. Then other players followed closely, and the finale was the star of this team-Anthony Davis.
The cheers at the New Orleans Arena are no worse than the Chesapeake Energy Ball. The New Orleans, like the Oklahomaians, love and loyal to their team. Davis is the hero of this city. There is no doubt about this. He may not be considered a superstar, and his two playoff performances in six years have not met the Pelicans' expectations of him. But in any case, Davis is always the best performer on this team. Although other players of the Pelicans played eye-catching this season, such as Cousins ​​in the first half of the regular season, Holiday and Milotic in the second half, and Rondo in the playoffs. But people always believe that Davis is the city's hope.
The on-site commentary introduced the starting lineups of both sides of the game. No change from the previous two games. After all, whether it is the Pelicans or the Thunder, the current starting lineup is the strongest. After the regular season and the first round of the playoffs, it is trustworthy. Moreover, this game is very crucial, and Donovan and Gentry are not the kind of character that doesn't know the importance. Even if you make some adjustments, you will not choose this game.
It looks no different from the previous two games. Except that after the arena moved from Oklahoma to New Orleans, those spectators sitting on the sidelines watching the game were different~EbookFREE.me~ However, An Luo still saw a lot of blue figures. Those are all Thunder fans who came from Oklahoma to cheer them on. They wore Westbrook's No. 0, Paul George's No. 13, and Anlow's own No. 8.
At the start of the game, Adams still did not beat Davis.
Rondo controlled the ball and went outside the three-point line. With a point to his toe, he dropped the ball to the basket. After Davis received the ball, he turned and hit Adams with his back. After two pushes in, Davis turned a little hook and a half and scored the ball easily.
It can be seen that the Pelicans' offensive thinking is still playing inside. This is a clear advantage, and the Thunder seems to have no good way to deal with it.
Next, Davis continued to beat Adams at the basket. His state is still hot. Donovan finally couldn't help it, and he began to ask Robertson to double-team Davis.
In such a situation, the Pelicans responded very well. The first is Davis. As a superstar, it is common to be double-teamed in games. He started holding the ball, using his containment power to attract the Thunder's defense, and then pass the ball to those teammates who are better positioned.
What Donovan intends is to short Rondo, and then use unlimited defense to make up for the unfavorable situation caused by double-teaming Davis. But what he never expected was that Rondo made two consecutive three-pointers!
The sudden feel caught the Thunder by surprise. The tricks they were used to in the first two games became unworkable. And as Rondo found a sense on the offensive end, the Thunder's defensive pressure doubled.
Now it's time for the Thunder to make a choice. Is it to continue to short Rondo's point, bet he is just a flash of light; or to give up double-teaming Davis and watch the opponent make trouble in his penalty zone. Donovan is very annoyed!