From the beginning of this game, Anthony Davis showed his strong scoring ability in the paint.
The Lakers' starting power forward in this game is Julius Randle. As the seventh overall pick in 2014, Randall is like a useless rookie compared to Davis, the No. 1 pick in 2012.
, was easily scored in various ways.
In the first quarter, Davis made 4 of 5 shots and 2 of 2 free throws, scoring 10 points. In the second quarter, Davis made 3 of 6 shots and 4 of 4 free throws, scoring another 10 points.
With 20 points in the half and a shooting percentage of 63%, Davis helped the Pelicans establish a 14-minute advantage at 71:57 in the first half.
After entering the third quarter, Davis still showed stable and efficient scoring ability. Randall had already been sitting off the court with 3 fouls. Facing another Lakers power forward Kuzma, Davis' offense
Efficiency is not affected at all.
Another 10 points on 4-of-7 shooting!
Wang Feng couldn't stand it anymore.
"In the fourth quarter, I will mark him."
Off the court, Wang Feng said directly to the coach.
"Are you here to guard against Anthony?"
Lakers coach Walton was stunned when he heard this.
Wang Feng's inside defense is not good. This is something the whole league knows. Although Anthony Davis is a space-based power forward and his offense is mostly based on outside shooting, his inside offensive ability is also extremely solid. He is definitely the best in the league.
At the top level, let Wang Feng guard Davis. Wouldn't the opponent have to score 50 points in this game?
However, Wang Feng is now the absolute core of the Lakers and has a great say in the team. More importantly, Walton himself is helpless against the thick eyebrow brother. The Lakers simply do not have an insider with strong rim protection ability.
Both Randall and Kuzma are too young. As for the older Brook Lopez, his entire career has been a representative of an inside player who is strong in offense and weak in defense.
So, as soon as the game started in the fourth quarter, Anthony Davis was surprised to find that the player marking him turned into Wang Feng.
At this time, the score between the two teams was 97:87. In the third quarter, the Lakers, led by Wang Feng, scored 30 points, slightly recovering the deficit at halftime. The fourth quarter was the last chance to catch up.
Davis' touch was hot, and the opponent was still Wang Feng at this time. Rondo, who had already sent 8 assists, did not hesitate and directly passed the ball to Davis, allowing him to single out Wang Feng.
After receiving the ball while standing on the baseline, Davis, who had his back to Wang Feng, tried to squeeze his back against Wang Feng but remained motionless.
Although Davis is an inside player, strength has never been his strong point. According to the strength rating of Brother Big Eyebrow in this period in the 2K series of games, his strength ability value is about 70, which is far less than Wang Feng, who has 88 strength.
But it doesn't matter, Davis doesn't care. Most of the inside forces he faces have an advantage. However, Davis averaged 28 points and 11 rebounds per game this season. Strength is not a factor limiting his scoring at all.
Davis, who was leaning against Wang Feng, suddenly turned around and put the basketball forward. Then he used his flexible inside steps to pass Wang Feng lightly, picked up the basketball and was about to score a layup.
However, at this moment, Wang Feng suddenly reached out and cut off the basketball!
Davis' hand was empty, and he turned around in surprise, only to see Wang Feng's back running wildly towards the frontcourt.
Fast break after completing the steal!
The Pelicans players obviously didn't expect Wang Feng to steal Davis, and they didn't retreat in time. When Wang Feng rushed to the three-point line, he didn't even have a firm footing.
Wang Feng was not polite and directly pulled up a jump shot on the spot.
"brush!"
The basketball hit the net and the point difference was reduced to single digits!
The Pelicans reorganized their offense, and Davis continued to get stuck inside to get the ball.
Being intercepted by Wang Feng made him a little dissatisfied.
The basketball was passed to him again, and this time Davis chose a more reliable inside step, cutting into the basket with a deep step and scoring a layup.
This time, Wang Feng failed to stop Davis and could only watch as the opponent sent the basketball into the basket and successfully scored.
9 points difference.
The Lakers had the ball. Wang Feng stood with the ball at a 45-degree angle from the left three-point line, called his teammates for a pick-and-roll screen, and then used the screen to shoot a three-pointer and hit again.
6 points difference!
The Pelicans attacked and saw Wang Feng still defending Davis. The Pelicans were not used to it and passed the ball to Davis again.
It's just that this time Wang Feng did a better job of blocking in advance. Davis, who received the ball with his back, was far away from the basket. After testing the frame a few times, he chose to feint and shoot a mid-range jumper.
This position is the position that Davis is most familiar with. It is a hot shooting area, and his height has an advantage. Davis naturally chooses to take action.
However, this position was not in the inner zone, and the defensive shock badge was activated. Wang Feng took off with all his strength to interfere, and the shot missed the frame.
In the next few rounds, Davis kept beating Wang Feng in isolation, but gradually, Pelicans head coach Alvin Gentry felt that something was not right. Why was Davis' offensive efficiency compared to the first three quarters?
The game is not advancing but retreating?
The original point difference was being caught up little by little. By the time he realized something was wrong and called a timeout, the point difference was only 4 points!
"Damn, what's going on?"
The thick-browed brother sat back on the bench and shook the towel angrily.
The game was nearly halfway through the fourth quarter. He took 6 shots but only hit 2 goals. He made 1 of 2 free throws and scored 5 points.
Compared with the first three quarters, it is obviously much worse. Is it because of Wang Feng? It is obvious that his inside defensive ability is not strong?
On the other side, Wharton looked at Wang Feng with incredible eyes.
He wanted to ask Wang Feng, how did you do it?
But Wang Feng has actually shown it very clearly on the court.
When facing Davis, Wang Feng tried his best to squeeze him out of the basket every time, blocking his main position, forcing the opponent to rely on mid- and long-range shots to score.
Even if he failed to succeed, when his opponent cut into the basket, Wang Feng was very methodical in defense, doing everything possible to interfere with Davis' offense.
Although Wang Feng's inside defensive ability is indeed shortcomings, he is indeed defending very seriously!
"The 15 freely allocated points are not in vain..."
Wang Feng thought silently in his heart.
Although Wang Feng's internal defense ability after strengthening is 52, which is still average, it is at least much stronger than when he had an ability value of 37 previously.
More importantly, Davis himself is not a player who mainly attacks inside. Especially after playing four quarters of the game, the opponent's physical fitness has also declined. He instinctively does not want to have too much physical contact with Wang Feng to avoid further consumption of physical fitness.
, which gave Wang Feng an opportunity to take advantage of.