The coaching staff will all like players like Barnes, especially in the playoffs. Such players can greatly improve the team's defensive cohesion.

If it weren't for Barnes, the Eagles' defense wouldn't be so aggressive.

Kidd, a super point guard who has stirred up troubles in the Western Conference playoffs, is too experienced and has dragged the Hawks into a rhythm that they are not good at. If it weren't for Mike Woodson, who had worked together under Larry Brown,

The experienced defensive assistant coach who worked for the 76ers in 2001 saw the shining point of Barnes and replaced him to strengthen the confrontation of the Eagles. He used strong physical confrontation in the Nets to defeat the Eagles.

When the offense is blocked, the opponent's offense is also blocked. Maybe the Eagles will become even worse.

When it was time to make rotation arrangements for the third quarter, coach Kruger called Liu Mang over: "Ace, is your physical condition okay?"

Although Liu Mang's physical fitness has always been very good, this series is very different from the first two rounds and the regular season.

In the regular season, Liu Mang played a lot of time, but his average was only 33 minutes per game. He only played for a long time continuously, and after playing, it only increased to 36 minutes.

Moreover, a very important point is the intensity of the confrontation in this game. It requires the entire Hawks team to work hard to maintain the score and not be opened up, because the Nets also played hard in order to get a good start.

At this time, Liu Mang couldn't do what he did in previous games. In those games, he could rely on the restraint of Jason Terry and Raheem. Liu Mang's offense was generally much easier, but in the first half of this game

, Liu Mang could only rely on himself most of the time, especially from the second half of the first quarter to the end of the first half, Liu Mang rushed in with the ball by himself, and Kidd was pulling and pulling but couldn't draw a foul.

cast.

Liu Mang scored 15 points in the half, which is already the highest score for the Eagles, but he got it by being knocked to the ground countless times, and being knocked over does not necessarily lead to free throws. The physical confrontation was too fierce.

The referee's call was very large. If Barnes hadn't lifted the Eagles' spirits, it's hard to say whether the Eagles would have been able to withstand it.

This kind of physical confrontation, even when Liu Mang was playing as a substitute, he often played two consecutive quarters in the second half, so Coach Kruger was also worried.

Liu Mang heard Coach Kruger's worry, jumped on the spot with ease, and said with a smile: "It's okay, I can do another marathon after finishing this game."

Seeing that Liu Mang was still full of energy, Coach Kruger felt a lot more at ease. He was worried that Liu Mang was only 20 years old and might not be able to adapt to the more intense physical confrontation this year than last year. But now it seems that there is no problem, then

Just give it a try!

Coach Kruger also wants to seize the home court advantage. If a team with a poor record wants to win the series, it must at least seize a home court advantage. The score in this game is so tight, of course, they must seize the opportunity.

"OK, Ace, we mainly focus on defense. On the offensive end, you and Jason will look at each other's defense and decide whether to choose tactics or singles..."

…

During the 20-minute intermission, both teams took some rest. The Eagles replaced Ratliff to strengthen the defense at the basket. The outside trio of Liu Mang and Jason Terry Rahim remained unchanged.

Zell was replaced.

The Nets' Kidd and Kenyon Martin also continued to play, and Mutombo was also replaced. Coach Byron Scott wanted to trust Mutombo's defense again, and Richard Jefferson and

Rodney Rogers comes on to add another ball-handling point.

The halftime break is coming to an end, and the staff has taken down the halftime show items and cleaned the court. The players from both teams in the second half have already rubbed magnesium powder and drank Gatorade on the sidelines, getting ready to play.

While Liu Mang was evenly applying magnesium powder on his palms and fingers, he said to the system in his mind: "Use the Jordan rookie star card!"

"The host uses Michael Jordan's 1984-1985 version of the star card, with an ability value of 91, three-pointers 56, mid-range shots 92, layups 99, speed 96, strength 85... The matching degree is 80%, close to perfect, and the effective time is

Festival competition, ability bonus is being calculated..."

"Ding... the host's ability evaluation after matching: ability value 92, three-pointer 84, mid-range shot 88, layup 95, speed 95, strength 82, jumping 95..."

This is the first time that after using a star card, the ability value of the star card is higher than that of the star card!

"Because the host's physical fitness has improved and is getting closer to physical stars, the physical fitness bonus obtained is closer to that of Michael Jordan, and the host has received personal guidance from Michael Jordan and has a better understanding of Michael Jordan's playing style, so

The matching is close to perfect, and the bonus ability value given by the star card is close to Jordan. In addition, the host has better shooting ability and passing ability, so the overall ability evaluation is higher than the Michael Jordan 1984-1985 version."

It's hard to understand, so Liu Mang won't go into details. This is the first time he has such a high ability value, which is higher than the ability value of Arenas Peak Star Card! This is enough!

Isn’t it impossible to penetrate the Nets’ defense?

If you can't shoot or hit hard inside, then hit the basket!

…

At the end of the halftime break, the two sides changed places to play again. At the beginning of the second half, the Eagles kicked off first.

Liu Mang sent the ball to Jason Terry, and the two came to the frontcourt together.

First, let’s play Rahim. Liu Mang didn’t rush out and grab the ball as soon as he came up. Instead, he played Rahim in the low post and eliminated the threat from his teammates, so that he could have a better chance.

Liu Mang went to the left corner first, Rodney Rogers followed Liu Mang, Rahim came to the outside of the three-second area on the left side of the basket, with his back leaning against Richard Jefferson, who was guarding him, Ratliff was

The other side of the basket used his height threat to contain Mutombo's defense. Boozer went to the weak side on the right side to open up the space in the mid-range. Kenyon Martin did not dare to let go of Boozer's mid-range shot. Jason

-Terry took Kidd to a 45-degree angle on the left and lobbed the ball to Raheem.

The Nets had already set up a tactic to defend against Rahim in the first half, so Rahim came up to block the position. The Nets resisted fiercely. Richard Jefferson desperately tried to get in front of Rahim, but was blocked.

Rahim's steel-like arm pressed behind him. Rahim blocked Richard Jefferson with pure strength. Jason Terry's lob was caught by Rahim. Rahim took the ball fiercely.

With a turn, Richard Jefferson was stuck on the side unable to move!

Raheem is furious! Attacking the basket ferociously!

When Mutombo saw Raheem's strength in asking for the ball, he knew that Richard Jefferson would be unable to stop him and could not control Ratliff, so he rushed towards Raheem.

Rahim was not afraid, he bumped into Mutombo who was assisting in defense at the basket, raised the ball and hit the basket against Mutombo's defense!

When Mutombo saw Rahim coming towards him, he fiercely fought with Rahim physically. The two bodies collided together. Rahim's power was very strong, but Mutombo's seal was

His awareness and confrontation were so good that he touched the ball in Rahim's hand with his fingertips!

The ball that Rahim hit the basket was knocked out of his hand, and it bounced high on the basket and flew into the air!

There was chaos under the basket, with Raheem fighting desperately with Richard Jefferson who had returned to his position, and Ratliff also coming in to confront Mutombo.

At this time, Kenyon Martin and Boozer both rushed in to grab the rebound. Boozer was slower than Kenyon Martin and further outside. He could only watch as Kenyon Martin rushed to the basket.

Just when Kenyon Martin was about to collect the rebound, a figure wearing a red and blue jersey rushed into the basket. The big number 1 behind him was reflected in the TV camera. He caught the ball first in the air and collided with Kenyon Martin.

Together, we dunk the ball into the basket!

Kenyon Martin was knocked down in the air, lost his balance, and fell to the ground!

The lively cheers and boos at the scene were frightened to silence for a second, and then most Nets fans exclaimed. A few Eagles fans were stunned for a moment and then started cheering loudly.

Wilkins and Jordan on the sidelines stood up in shock, especially Jordan. His big face was rounded several times and his mouth was wide open due to shock, and he couldn't help but make a sound of "Oh, oh, oh..."

.

It's not like I haven't seen Liu Mang's All-Star dunk performance, but can it compare to a dunk in a real confrontation in the playoffs?

Although there is no fancy move, this is a back-up dunk that knocks over a charging power forward!

Kenyon Martin was still blinded when he was helped up. He couldn't believe it! Raheem was stuck under the basket. He thought that there was no one with a stronger impact than him on the court, so he rushed to grab the defensive rebound.

I didn't have much worry at the time, I just jumped up and was knocked down by Liu Mang.

When Kenyon Martin was knocked to the ground just now, he was stunned when he saw that the person who knocked him over was actually that annoying point guard!

Although that guy is the dunk king, and although he occasionally dunks, whether it is a dunk contest or a dunk, it has nothing to do with violence! Every dunk is a dunk at the right time, how can he be so violent?

After dunking, Liu Mang excitedly ran to the sidelines and gave Muhammad, who was also excited, a high-five, and then ran to the opposite basket, preparing to defend.

The game continued. Although the ball was dunked, the Nets quickly focused.

When it was the Nets' turn to attack, Kidd advanced and Jason Terry defended, mainly preventing shots.

On Liu Mang's side, he was following Rodney Rogers, another Nets player who had the ability to attack with the ball and play blindly. He didn't dare to let this guy go. As long as this guy had room to take action when he received the ball, he would definitely

He will throw blindly without any care, but he is really accurate!

Under the basket, Boozer couldn't keep up with Kenyon Martin's running, so he and Kenyon Martin were stuck together from the beginning. This was Boozer's only way to defend against the ball.

Otherwise, he would stand like a wooden stake, and Richard Jefferson would have no chance. Raheem would almost make the young Richard Jefferson cry.

Seeing that the confrontation on the court was getting more and more intense, it was difficult to direct his teammates to run into good gaps. Kidd chose to break through. Jason Terry could not stop Kidd's breakthrough. The confrontation was too bad, but it didn't matter.

Just follow the defensive strategy and push Kidd down the line.

At this time, Kenyon Martin, who had been upset by Barnes after the first half and was knocked over and dunked again in the second half, was even more upset by Boozer's constant dragging defense and directly elbowed him.

Separate Boozer on Boozer's chest, and then come up to Kidd to block Jason Terry.

This means that Boozer has a good temper. If it were Barnes, he might have kicked him back.

After seeing Kenyon Martin blocking Jason Terry, Kidd changed direction and came in from the middle. Boozer immediately went to cover the defense. Kidd flicked the ball to the right, and Kenyon Martin caught the ball!

Jason Trilla couldn't hold him back, Kenyon Martin took two steps in a row and took off on the edge of the three-second zone!

Kenyon Martin was very unhappy about being dunked just now, and now he wants to return one! He wants to pay it back! He wants to use a more violent dunk to wash away the humiliation he just suffered!

Just when Kenyon Martin swung a violent tomahawk, and the Nets fans who had just been aggrieved at the scene cheered loudly, an Optimus Prime stood up from the basket and slapped Kenyon Martin with a big hand.

Down on the ball!

Kenyon Martin felt a huge force coming from the ball, and he lost his balance! He was overturned while dribbling the ball!

Kenyon Martin lands on his butt again!

Ratliff!

Ratliff stood up at the critical moment, pushed aside the aging Mutombo, and showed his power as the leader in consecutive blocks. He hit Kenyon Martin with a precise palm and blocked Kenyon Martin!

The core for the Eagles to win is still Ratliff, the defensive pillar!
To be continued...