Liu Mang played 9 minutes and scored 3 points and 3 assists, making 3 of 4 free throws. Boozer had 2 points and 3 assists. Both of them were determined to consume Yao Ming.

Boozer did exactly what his boss told him to do, and this time it really matched his appearance. He had the air of a gangster in trouble who was forced to follow the new boss.

Kwame Brown's 12 points and 3 rebounds in the first quarter complemented Yao Ming's 14 points and 2 assists.

No one thought that the two teams were actually competing against each other!

Stockton took the field with Jason Terry, Prince, Muhammad, and Kwame Brown.

Liu Mang was resting regularly. Boozer consumed Yao Ming and was very tired himself. But Kwame Brown had the easiest time. Guarding him, a jumping man like him, was similar to Howard. Originally, Mike Woodson wanted Kwame Brown to go.

When guarding against Yao Ming, Liu Mang felt that Kwame Brown would be beaten to death by Yao Ming. Kwame Brown's ability to carry the low post was much worse than Boozer. Although Boozer's stocky figure was not as fast as Kwame Brown, he was

Really strong.

Kwame Brown scored 12 points and 3 rebounds in the first quarter, making 5 of 7 shots, all 5 of which were dunks. He also caused a foul on Yao Ming and two fouls on Maurice Taylor. In total, he caused three fouls on the Rockets inside, one of which was a double plus.

One, and it didn't cost much! The only pity is that he only made 2 of 5 free throws. In addition, his physical fitness is comparable to Howard. It feels the same as when he first played. Keep going.

At the beginning of the game, due to Yao Ming's great inside advantage, the Rockets have been focusing on the inside, and Francis has not used up much. With Mark Jackson, Clarence Witherspoon, Scott Padgett and Kevin

-Catto, come up.

Entering the rotation, the Eagles began to have an advantage. Jason Terry only had to be responsible for scoring points. With Stockton around, every time he appeared in a position where he felt he could shoot, it was against him.

The partner already knows how to play, which is much more advantageous than Francis coming off the court and pointing at him alone. Jason Terry came up and scored 8 points in a row under Stockton's pass. The Rockets only relied on

Francis broke through and scored the ball, scoring 2 points and 2 assists.

After the first quarter, the Eagles tied the score at 29.

Liu Mang looked at the score and felt that he was not used to playing in the West. They were all soaring points. However, the teams in the East and West had completely different playing styles, which made Liu Mang find it quite interesting. Unlike in the future, the whole league would

I only know how to shoot three-pointers.

After the start of the second quarter, Stockton continued to play with Jason Terry and Barnes, Boozer, and Muhammad for almost half of the time. The Eagles relied on the advantage of the rotation lineup.

In the first half of the second quarter, the Eagles took the lead and in the fifth minute of the second quarter, the Eagles opened the score to 47 to 39. Seeing that the Eagles were about to overtake and expand the point difference to 10 points, the Rockets called a timeout.

!

When Liu Mang saw that the time was almost up, he took off his training clothes and walked to the court to start the offensive mode!

He didn't take many shots in the first quarter. If he continued to play like that in the second quarter, Liu Mang felt that he would be alerted by the opponent. Even if he wanted to assist, he still had to maintain his offensive threat.

Of course, the overall strategy is to continue to consume Yao Ming!

The Eagles forced Yao Ming to play nine minutes in the first quarter, allowing Yao Ming to rest for almost half an hour before coming on the court in the middle of the second quarter. During this period, the Eagles relied on their substitute lineup to score points without having an advantage.

Catching up and overtaking proved that this tactic was feasible.

In just his second season, Yao Ming is already the Rockets' scoring leader, rebounding leader and strongest defensive pillar. Although his statistics are not very flashy, averaging 19 9 2 per game, and his ability evaluation is not as high as that of Francis, there is no doubt that Yao Ming is the Rockets' leader.

There is no single most critical point for the team to have a chance to compete for fifth place in the Western Conference.

Coach Kruger and Mike Woodson ignored Liu Mang who went up to shoot the hot shot. Although they felt bitter, they still had to make perfect arrangements for the defensive plan proposed by this kid.

Coach Kruger, a college coach who was proficient in many tactics, and Mike Woodson, one of the league's top defensive assistants, were the biggest backers for Liu Mang's tactics that people today think are bizarre.

…

For the Eagles, Liu Mang, Jason Terry, Raheem, Boozer, and Kwame Brown are on the court.

The Rockets changed to their main lineup, with Francis, Mobley, Jim Jackson, Kevin Cato, and Yao Ming playing.

Jeff Van Gundy replaces Kevin Cato. There is really nothing he can do. As long as Yao Ming is pulled out, the inside will be empty. Maurice Taylor can double-team Boozer, Kwame Brown dunks and Yao Ming chases.

If he didn't go back, there was even one time when Maurice Taylor didn't follow him out. Boozer took Yao Ming and ran away. After consuming Yao Ming's energy, he was tired enough and threw the basket directly. Kwame Brown faced Morris-

Taylor made an alley-oop directly from behind, and Maurice Taylor couldn't even pull him down.

No one thought that the Eagles’ main attack today would be Kwame Brown! Well, even Coach Kruger didn’t think that Kwame Brown would be the key player before discussing tactics with Liu Mang and Mike Woodson before the game.

As for the main attack point, I just felt that it was more reliable than floating from outside, so I gave it a try, and it really worked.

The Rockets are now beginning to pay attention to Kwame Brown, who they originally ignored the most. Yao Ming and Cato form the twin towers under the basket, one is the Optimus pillar, and the other is doing the dirty work, guarding the basket.

After returning from the timeout, Liu Mang saw the Rockets' new lineup and immediately saw that the Rockets wanted to change their style of play to relieve Yao Ming's pressure. The Rockets' twin-tower combination was actually wider than the one they sent at the beginning.

The shooters in the space gave Yao Ming a better space to block and hit high. Seeing that Cato helped Yao Ming push Kwame Brown and Boozer inside, Yao Ming and Cato occupied a favorable position in the block.

As long as you catch the ball, you can easily shoot. Although it still takes effort to get stuck, as long as you catch the ball, you can save the energy consumed by footwork or strong strikes. How can Liu Mang let them get what they want? Seeing Francis advancing, Liu Mang

Mang directly pressed towards Francis and defended him, preventing Francis from passing the ball easily.

Liu Mang stuck to Francis like a dog-skin plaster, constantly putting pressure on Francis' hands to control the ball. Francis had no chance to drop the ball. The ball might have been batted away when he picked it up. The most critical point is that this year's defensive penalty scale is too large.

When he was loose, Liu Mang was not afraid of Francis's waving iron elbow and continued to pull and pull in defense. The referee did not call a foul on either side.

Francis couldn't pass the ball inside, and Mobley on the outside kept running and couldn't get rid of Jason Terry, who was very excited today. Jim Jackson was also pestered by Raheem, so Francis had no choice but to do it by himself!

Francis' violent thrust! Liu Mang clung tightly to Francis, screaming in his heart that he was going to lose his temper, but his body still honestly "enjoyed" Francis' breakthrough like a tank, but he did not let go even a step, clinging to his death.

He relied on his speed advantage to stay close to Francis and not give him a chance to pass in.

Francis ran over Liu Mang and rushed into the paint. Six people under the basket were crowded together like dumplings. Francis forced himself to throw up and missed!

There was chaos under the basket. Boozer and Kwame Brown were almost hanging on to Yao Ming, trying their best to block Yao Ming in order to consume Yao Ming. Cato pushed Liu Mang away and tipped the ball to score two points.

Just now, sweat appeared on the foreheads of the six people under the basket, and the confrontation became more intense!

But this is exactly what Liu Mang wants!

After the Rockets scored a goal, they quickly returned to defense for fear of being hit by a counterattack. However, this time Liu Mang did not rush to make a quick move. After receiving the ball, he pushed forward at a normal speed and waited for his teammates to get into position.

The Eagles were attacking. After Liu Mang advanced to the frontcourt, he saw Boozer pulling out. Obviously, it was not Yao Ming who followed, but Cato.

Instead of asking Boozer to pick and roll, Liu Mang waved Boozer to the left mid-range to open up the space, commanding his teammates to open up, and he wanted to play in singles!

Rahim went to the left baseline ready to respond and took Mark Jackson away. Jason Terry went to the right corner to open up the space and took away Mobley. Kwame Brown pulled to the right side of the basket.

Outside the three-second zone, create a distance between the right sideline of the three-second zone and the bottom corner three-point line. But Yao Ming did not follow out. Instead, he stood inside the right edge of the three-second zone for a while, and stood outside for a while to avoid defending for three seconds.

.

It's not that he despises Kwame Brown's shooting...well, he just despises Kwame Brown's shooting, mainly because of Yao Ming's height and weight. Unless it's O'Neal, even if Howard, the future peak, rushes in, he can do it.

Just slap him to death, it would be a foul at most.

However, Yao Ming's attention was still focused on Kwame Brown. Kwame Brown scored 12 points in 9 minutes in the first quarter. Yao Ming's three views were refreshed. This parallel import number one pick who entered the NBA the year before, followed Liu

Manghun is like a completely different person, as if he has been reborn from the ashes! It’s no wonder that Yao Ming doesn’t pay attention to him. They are all No. 1 draft picks. How can they be so talented? Even the sugar man Olowokandi has three axes.

Liu Mang read the opponent's defense, saw Yao Ming's defensive tendencies, and felt that an opportunity had come!

Just this time!

First, break through Francis!

Although Francis's defensive rating is only 75, which is in the middle of the league, a little higher than the average but can only be considered good, a little far from excellent, but with Yao Ming in the paint, a center who has enough power to shock the basket, Francis only needs to block

Liu Mang just needs to start at full speed.

Liu Mang saw Francis sticking closely to him, took a step back, and started dribbling casually.

Seeing Liu Mang's dribbling posture, Francis was not careless and followed Liu Mang up to guard against Liu Mang's shot one step away from the three-point line. Liu Mang has ranked second in the scoring list this year, and all opponents attach great importance to him.

Seeing Francis take a step forward, Liu Mang immediately took action! First, he slapped the ball to the left and broke through to the left. When Francis immediately moved sideways to the right, Liu Mang received the ball with his left hand and moved from behind to the left.

When he stepped out, he slapped his foot and suddenly changed direction to the right!

Good defense is just good after all!

Liu Mang beat Francis so easily, Liu Mang dribbled into the paint!

But Francis' defensive enthusiasm is much better now than in the first year. With a good center, he also feels that there is hope for his basketball career. After being passed by Liu Mang, he was not discouraged and chased after Liu Mang. He was stunned.

He stayed close to Liu Mang and was not completely thrown away by Liu Mang.

At this time, Kwame Brown rushed out from the baseline. Yao Ming did not follow him, but stayed under the basket. Liu Mang had a similar breakthrough in the first quarter. Liu Mang broke through from the baseline against Francis' defense.

, attracted the attention of Francis and Yao Ming. Kwame Brown circled behind Liu Mang and Francis and cut inside from the middle. Liu Mang and Kwame Brown completed an air cut, which impressed Yao Ming deeply.

.

But! This time Kwame blocked Francis who was chasing after Liu Mang, preventing Liu Mang from being interfered by Francis' chasing block. After Liu Mang entered the basket, he rushed all the way to the right edge of the reasonable collision area without being interfered by Francis.

Liu Mang rushed directly to this position, and Yao Ming was even more sure. Liu Mang was going to give Kwame Brown the ball. He stayed in the center of the reasonable collision zone to guard against Kwame Brown running out, and then ran back to cut from the center.

, his eyes were fixed on Kwame Brown, who was a little over 1.8 meters tall. As for Liu Mang, he rushed inside. Liu Mang looked at Jason Terry, who was 1.88 meters tall, and said he was a dwarf.

According to Yao Ming, most centers in the NBA are dwarfs, and Liu Mang is the dwarf among dwarfs. Just avoid being fouled by Liu Mang.

Just when Yao Ming's attention was focused on Kwame Brown, who cut into the middle after blocking Francis, suddenly, a head popped out of Yao Ming's sight, that Chinese head that is rarely seen in the NBA.

Yao Ming's face came into Yao Ming's sight, and Yao Ming secretly screamed, "But! It's too late! The head of a short guy on the other side was parallel to his, and it was too late for Yao Ming to jump to block the shot!"

Liu Mang rushed into the paint and came directly to Yao Ming. He did not take off in advance. He might have been slapped down by Yao Ming when he took off in advance. Instead, he played a trick. This time it was his turn to take advantage of Kwame Brown's previous threat.

, deceived Yao Ming's attention, and used the Kwame Brown pick-and-roll to trigger the pick-and-roll master, which also met the triggering conditions for the strongest first step. After reaching the edge of the three-second zone, there was not much room to take off.

Pull it up in place!

Yao Ming had no time to react and just raised his left hand, failing to interfere with Liu Mang at all! Liu Mang burst out of the ground and smashed the ball into the basket through Yao Ming!

Liu Mang dunks on Yao Ming!

Moreover, when Yao Ming stretched out his left hand to pull Liu Mang, not only did he fail to pull him, but he was also called for a foul!

The Eagles players went crazy when they saw this scene!

From the perspective of others, Liu Mang directly pulled up the dunk against Yao Ming's defense! Because Liu Mang and Yao Ming were almost face to face!

Watching Liu Mang and his teammates celebrating wildly, Yao Ming seemed to hear the sound of heartbreak. He scored 14 points in 9 minutes of the first quarter. He had already seen that he had dominated the opponent in the confrontation with Liu Mang, but now, alone,
Chapter completed!