After Gus Jason finished speaking, the fans at the United Center realized that Sanders did not use the 20 seconds to replace Li Kaiming, but let the latter continue playing on the court!
"What's going on with the Wizards coach? Is he hanging up? Li Kaiming has committed two fouls and still doesn't let it go?"
"Brother, maybe he has been stunned by our Bulls team!"
"It doesn't matter whether we change it or not, the victory in today's game belongs to Chicago!"
The last person's words were agreed by most of the people around him, and many fans raised the drinks in their hands, either beer or Coke.
"Victory belongs to Chicago!"
Sanders, who was standing on the sidelines, looked at Li Kaiming who walked onto the court, staring at the latter's back. Listening to the comments of the people around him, sweat gradually oozed from his palms...
He actually wanted to replace Li Kaiming, but Li Kaiming came to the bench and said to him, "Coach, believe me, I have no problem!"
This guy has created too many miracles before, and Sanders decided to take a risk. The worst he could do was lose the game, and then bury his head in the soil and become an ostrich.
Although he comforted himself in this way on the surface and seemed very relaxed, Sanders' heart had already begun to beat rapidly. If Li Kaiming was called for another foul in a short period of time, he would take it down no matter what!
Tom Thibodeau, who was standing at the other end of the court, had a flash of surprise in his eyes after seeing that Li Kaiming didn't end up. However, the surprised look quickly disappeared and was replaced by relaxation and smile!
Sanders, Sanders, are you so confident?
Immediately, Thibodeau gestured to the players on the court. After seeing the coach's gesture, the Bulls players, including Rose and Noah, couldn't help but look at Li Kaiming.
Ross: Junior, I'm sorry, you may have to go down and take a rest later!
Noah: Get this guy out of here, we basically won today’s game, win early and get off work early!
After the Wizards made such a controversial choice, the game was back on track again.
The Bulls sent a sideline ball from the backcourt. After Rose dribbled the ball to the frontcourt, he used the screen to directly hit the inside. It was countless times easier than before!
Hinrich must have been unable to prevent Rose's breakthrough. Li Kaiming stood on the edge of the penalty area, staring at the direction Rose came from. Seeing that Rose had entered the penalty area, he immediately let go of Gibson, blocking Rose's inevitable breakthrough. On the way!
If it was Rose before, the ball would definitely have been passed to Gibson, but now the Bulls' biggest goal is to knock Li Kaiming off the court. So after Rose saw Li Kaiming come to help defend, not only did Rose not slow down, but he made a second pass. Accelerate and rush towards Li Kaiming!
But after Li Kaiming came to help defend, he did not follow Rose as he expected. Instead, he helped block the latter on the spot, and then returned to the basket to prepare to protect the rebound.
This operation surprised Rose. He had already planned to rely on Li Kaiming to break through and draw a foul. Unexpectedly, the latter came over to block him despite the thunder and rain.
This made Rose very uncomfortable. In addition, Hinrich had already caught up with Rose with the help of Li Kaiming. The latter had no choice but to jump on the spot. After stopping in the air for a second, he threw his body diagonally!
Blatche also defended, and Li Kaiming blocked Noah under the basket, and then grabbed the rebound with a big wave of his hand!
This time he did not give the ball to Hinrich, but dribbled directly to the frontcourt himself, catching the Bulls off guard. Gibson fought for half his life before catching up outside the three-point line in the backcourt. Li Kaiming was slowing down. He was still wondering why Li Kaiming suddenly slowed down. Unexpectedly, the latter simply did not enter the three-point line and pulled out directly outside!
Gibson's expression changed, and he moved quickly with his feet, preparing to defend, but it was too late. Li Kaiming's shooting percentage without defense was too terrifying.
The basketball flew into the basket with a swoosh, 13 to 10!
The entire United Center was quiet for a moment, and Adams in the commentary box exclaimed, "This guy's three-pointer is really terrifying, and his confidence is so strong. I'm afraid he is the only one in the league who dares to throw such a ball!"
"That's not the case, it's just that the other one who likes to play like this is his teammate!" Gus Jason said coolly next to him.
Li Kaiming's emergency three-pointer made Gibson a little annoyed. He turned to Li Kaiming viciously and said, "Boy, this is the last time! You will never make such a shot in front of me next time!"
Li Kaiming was noncommittal about this. He didn't take Gibson seriously, so he ignored this guy's trash talk!
Seeing that Li Kaiming seemed not to have heard what he said, Gibson's whole body was instantly filled with anger!
"Boy, I will show you how to respect your seniors! You were not serious in the preseason. Do you really think you are nothing?"
Li Kaiming still didn't speak, but he turned his head towards Gibson and showed his white teeth.
At this time, Rose had dribbled to the frontcourt, and Bulls players began to move without the ball. Gibson was basically playing the role of a screener in the process. Luol Deng got a temporary open opportunity outside the three-point line. The Bulls moved the ball quickly. When the ball arrived, Luol Deng took the ball and shot a three-pointer. Answerball!
16 to 10! The point difference is still 6 points, and there are still 4 minutes left before the end of the first quarter. The two sides only scored more than a dozen points in most of the quarter, which shows that the shooting rate in today's game is very low.
The Wizards were attacking, and Gibson was defending Li Kaiming closely while talking trash, "Boy, get the ball? Why don't you get the ball? Are you scared?"
Li Kaiming ignored him and continued to help his teammates cover. Elsoton on the outside had a chance, but he had lost confidence in shooting in front. The short hesitation wiped out the opportunity that the team had finally obtained. In desperation, Li Kaiming picked up his old job and directly pushed Gibson to the waist position.
Elsoton saw that Li Kaiming had settled into position with his back, and he hit the ball and passed it to Li Kaiming.
Gibson behind him was still chattering, "You can't score this goal, rookie! I will destroy you on the defensive end!"
Li Kaiming observed the situation and saw that there was no risk of being double-teamed, so he turned around with a shot of the ball. Gibson immediately followed him. With the touch from his back, Li Kaiming clearly pictured Gibson's position in his mind.
Then he put his hands on the ball and feinted, shaking his shoulders from side to side. This made Gibson a little confused, not knowing which side to defend.
Just when Gibson was in embarrassment, Li Kaiming suddenly used his left foot as the axis and made a turning movement. It looked like he was going to make a turnaround jumper!
Gibson is delighted!
I judged the distance in advance and jumped directly towards Li Kaiming!
Feeling that Gibson's feet had left the ground, the corners of Li Kaiming's mouth raised slightly, and then he suddenly took a step towards the basket with his right foot!
When he saw this scene, Gibson, who was already flying in the air, felt his heart skip a beat. He twisted his body desperately to avoid Li Kaiming. He was like a maggot in danger in the air.
At the same time, Noah, who was guarding the basket, immediately reacted and stretched out his long arm to interfere!
After judging the distance, Li Kaiming directly used the center's stunt, throwing!
As the ball left his hand, the falling Gibson also hit him. The bottom line referee immediately blew the whistle!
beep!
At the same moment as the whistle sounded, the basketball passed Noah's fingertips and accurately flew into the basket!
The courtside commentators Adams Vernal and Gus Jason hugged their heads at the same time, "Oh my God! Wonderful steps, like a work of art!"
Gus Jason didn't save any face for Gibson, "It looks like Taj Gibson is being manipulated by Li Kaiming!"
The fans at the United Center were also very excited, because Jordan was also famous for his wonderful post-up moves. Li Kaiming's steps reminded them of Jordan's post-up moves.
Li Kaiming stepped to the free throw line, faced all kinds of interference from the fans behind the backboard, and made a solid free throw amidst boos!
16 to 13!
After making the free throw, Li Kaiming faced Gibson and put his index finger in front of his lips. This scene was clearly seen by the commentator next to the court and the on-site cameras!
Adams smiled and said, "Oh! God, it's really heartbreaking. Li Kaiming's move is not very harmful, but it is very insulting! Gibson is probably about to break his defense!"
Gus Jason on the side echoed, "If I were Gibson, I would kill Lee right now!"
Yes, that's what Gibson thought.
But basketball is a man's game. If you can't come back on the court, it's useless to say anything else.
Gibson naturally also wants to prove himself on the offensive end. It would be better if he could score on Li Kaiming's head.
The Bulls' offense ended with Noah's missed hook shot under the basket. Li Kaiming's timely defense made Noah lose his judgment on the position of the basket, and the rebound was taken by Blatche.
Li Kaiming succeeded in singles against Gibson several times in a row. Thibodeau signaled the Bulls to start double-teaming. After attracting the double-team, Li Kaiming passed the ball to Al Thornton on the outside. The latter hesitated and then dribbled to the three-point line. One step, and then a sharp iron strike!
El Thornton was too hesitant today, or in other words, he was not very good at catching and throwing in the first place.
Li Kaiming played singles in several consecutive rounds, finally shaking the Bulls' defense. By the end of the first quarter, the score between the two sides was 26 to 24, with the Wizards trailing by 2 points.
Even the two commentators in the commentary box had to admit that the Wizards and Sanders made the right bet!
Li Kaiming played the entire first quarter. In 12 minutes, he made 5 of 6 shots, 1 of 1 three-pointers, and scored 11 points, 2 rebounds, and 1 assist. Except for the fact that his scoring was still at a normal level, the other two statistics were not considered normal performance. .
The reason why the rebounds are low is because the Bulls are really strong inside, and the Wizards have to grab rebounds together, so the rebounds are relatively scattered.
Hinrich played 10 minutes in the first quarter and scored 2 points and 3 assists. His offensive threat was too low. The Bulls could completely defeat him with Rose alone.
Nick Young performed best besides Li Kaiming, scoring 6 points and 2 rebounds.
Center center Blatche was directly beaten by Noah. I don’t know if it’s because of the conflicting playing styles. Blatche’s performance was not that bad when he met Howard. He scored 0 points in the first quarter today and only got 4 rebounds. He was also beaten by Noah. Noah on the opposite side grabbed 2 frontcourt boards.
As for the Bulls' strategy to continue Li Kaiming's fouls, it went to waste, because after the second foul, Li Kaiming basically only defended the first time on the defensive end. Whenever there were any changes later, he was Watching, this operation made Thibodeau on the opposite side itch with hatred!
