In the first half of the game, Li Yan did not let go. On the defensive end, he was still conscientiously implementing the established tactics to fill in for Iverson. On the offensive end, Li Yan was also conscientiously organizing and linking up.
It's just that Li Yan didn't use the skill "Cake Master". He wanted his teammates to understand his true current state.
The result was that all members of the Nuggets were "blacksmiths". J.R. Smith made 1 of 7 three-pointers, and he even missed 2 big open shots.
Kenyon Martin is also soft-handed, and his shooting percentage of 3 of 6 looks good, but these are all "cakes" in the pick-and-roll, and Martin can actually spit out 3 of them.
Anthony made 5 of 13, 1 of 5 three-pointers, and scored 15 points with 4 of 4 free throws.
Iverson's performance was pretty good, 5 of 10, 1 of 4 three-pointers, 2 of 2 free throws, and scored 13 points.
Li Yan did not try three-pointers. His shooting methods were mainly attacking the basket after breaking through the pick-and-roll and hooking behind the back. His shooting rate of 4 out of 6 was considered excellent.
The Nuggets performed poorly, but Li Yan's performance of 10 points, 5 assists, 3 rebounds and 2 steals was remarkable, which made him a "non-stick pan".
During the intermission, during the Nuggets pot-sharing meeting held in various studios, no one gave Li Yan the pot.
The commentators said that Li Yan tried his best, but he just couldn't move him. You can't ask Li Yan to hit 5 of 5 three-pointers every time.
During the halftime break, the Nuggets locker room was no longer as relaxed as before, and everyone realized the seriousness of the problem.
Compared with "Melo" Anthony, Iverson appears more mature.
The "answer" stood up at this critical moment. Iverson said loudly: "Brothers, the Suns are a strong team. They are on the same level as the Spurs. We can't hesitate or retreat. If we don't feel good, we will Attack the paint."
"Carmelo and I will adjust our playing style. There is still halftime, and we still have a considerable chance." Iverson added.
Anthony nodded and expressed his position: "Yes, the hand feels really bad today. We should play inside."
When George Karl saw that Anthony and Iverson had expressed their opinions, his expression improved a lot. He arranged:
"In the second half, we have to put pressure on the Suns on the defensive end. We cannot let them complete the ball movement so easily. Only by defending well can we have the possibility of a comeback..."
Li Yan has nothing to say. He can't say it. Wake up. Historically, you were beaten 4-1 by the Spurs in the first round!
After George Karl finished his mobilization, the Nuggets players expressed their opinions one after another.
"Li, do you have anything to say?" Li Yan, who was eating a banana, was also called.
Li Yan looked at his teammates, swallowed the banana hard, took a breath and said, "Me too!"
…………
The second half started quickly.
The Nuggets stepped up their defense, but the situation was not turned around quickly.
The Suns still took the initiative and they played very patiently.
Stoudemire is the Suns' advantage, and the Suns make a fuss around the inside.
Camby and Martin committed a lot of fouls on the "Little Bully". Halfway through the third quarter, the number of fouls was already up.
Stoudemire began to frequently go to the free throw line.
On the Nuggets side, Iverson and Anthony also started attacking the basket.
If there is no one on the outside to open up space, it will be very difficult to fight inside.
Li Yan squatted outside the three-point line and made 5 fixed-point shots, hitting 2 of them, barely worthy of the audience.
After three quarters, the score difference between the two teams was still 13 points.
To be honest, Li Yan can accept the team's performance.
After all, the Suns are a powerful team, and they are not just a "cat or dog" that can be dealt with by giving the Nuggets some "chicken blood".
After the start of the fourth quarter.
The Nuggets replaced JR Smith to enhance their outside firepower, and at the same time, they could open up space for Iverson and others who attack the inside.
Li Yan completed two key defenses after the start. His large-scale assist defense on the outside stunned the audience in front of the TV.
In the last shot, he was still blocking Raja Bell, and then after the Suns made two passes, Li Yan appeared in front of Boris Diaw.
In this round, Li Yan successively defended Laga Bell, Steve Nash, and Boris Diaw.
Diaw struck out under Li Yan's interference, and Camby got the rebound and gave it to Li Yan.
Li Yan made two passes, and then passed a wide range of passes to find JR Smith who was about to go down.
JR Smith made a fast break and dunked with one arm, scoring two points.
In the next round, Li Yan directly intercepted the Suns' pass. The Nuggets once again used a counterattack to score a chasing layup by Iverson.
In the two rounds at the beginning of the fourth quarter, Li Yan's performance gave the Nuggets a chance to breathe, and the Nuggets took the opportunity to chase the point difference to 9 points.
"Wow! Lee's defense is so critical. Players like him are the real cornerstone of the team." Barkley exclaimed: "A top star is someone who is both offensive and defensive."
Li Yan's performance has attracted the attention of countless teams. He is a big fish in the NBA free market in the summer.
The Nuggets stabilized the situation, but the Suns' counterattack came quickly.
Steve Nash and Stoudemire's pick-and-roll kept the Nuggets running out of steam.
Tonight, Stoudemire went berserk again. He received a pass from Nash and entered the penalty area. He forced the ball into the penalty area between Kenyon Martin and Carmelo Anthony.
Subsequently, the "Little Bully" pushed past Kenyon Martin and completed a mid-range jumper.
Immediately afterwards, Nash also hit a three-pointer from the three-point line on the right side.
The Phoenix obviously didn't want to let the victory slip away today.
The Nuggets have never won a championship, nor have the Suns. Phoenix's desire for the championship trophy is equally passionate.
Amid the deafening cheers from the American Airlines Center, the Suns suppressed the Nuggets' counterattack, and the point difference between the two sides remained at around 10 points.
Although Iverson showed his "attitude" in the decisive battle, "Answer" repeatedly attacked the Suns' interior. He forced his way to the basket and threw himself into the air again and again.
But there is always someone on the Suns side who can stand up and score a response.
Not everyone on the Nuggets side can top it.
Kenyon Martin was in poor condition. Under the impact of Stoudemire, he was panting and unable to do what he did.
JR Smith's three-point shooting is still very solid, but he did nothing tonight.
Carmelo Anthony wants to work hard on defense, but he can't adapt to the rhythm of the Suns...
105 to 114! The Nuggets naturally lost.
