As the third quarter progressed, Min Congda's tactical fine-tuning gradually showed results.
In the first half, the Clippers had a lot of collisions with the Lakers on the offensive end, with physical contact and fighting in the paint.
In the second half, when the Clippers opened up the space, Randolph and Gasol formed a double high position.
This kind of physical contact becomes less and less, because the distance is increased, making it difficult for the Lakers to double-team.
Bynum and Gasol are very awkward defensively, especially Bynum.
If you don't follow him out, Randolph can reach mid-range.
If you follow him out, you won't be able to get back inside, and you'll be surprised by Baron Davis and Gordon.
The situation on the court was different from the first half.
Although the point difference did not widen, the Lakers still did a good job in details.
And Kobe and Gasol still have no solution in the offense.
But for the audience, the most intuitive feeling is that the Clippers were not as tired as the first half and the first three games.
In the first three games, the Clippers were like a stubborn sheep. When they saw a dirt wall in front of them, they tried their best to hit it.
How could the sheep's flesh and blood body push through the earthen wall? Naturally, the top was covered in flesh and blood.
In the first half of the fourth game, the sheep was still pushing, but it changed its horns and pushed harder.
In the second half, the sheep suddenly discovered that there was a door next to it, and I built a woolen wall.
If I open the door, can't I go out?
That's how the Clippers suddenly found the door.
The Clippers pressed the Lakers, and Baron Davis continuously caused the Lakers inside fouls and stood on the free throw line.
Gordon also used the breakthrough to get to the basket, push away the defender, hit the throw with a scream, and then sparred with the referee.
Clippers fans feel something familiar is coming back, the smell of victory.
The Lakers encountered a crisis on the offensive end, and Kobe's touch did not really improve.
He received simple treatment from the doctor during the halftime break, but he still missed consecutive long-range shots in the second half.
The Clippers launched counterattacks one after another, launching a wave of 7:0 offensive shock waves, widening the point difference between the two sides to 9 points.
The Lakers called a timeout and a ship's whistle sounded at Staples Center. This was the first time in the series that a whistle sounded.
Min Congda didn't expect the effect of this adjustment to be so good. He thought it had something to do with the Lakers' poor state in the second half.
Especially since Kobe is in average condition, his failure to make offensive shots is only one aspect.
On the defensive end, Kobe also struggled to keep up, unable to provide elite-level high-intensity defense.
Once the space is opened, the requirements for outside players to assist and single defense become very high.
Artest has no problem defending alone, but what's so good about PJ Tucker?
Does he need you to defend him?
Artest was used to deal with Pierce, but his life was wasted against Tucker.
And Artest's three-point shooting percentage on the offensive end is really touching.
In the first three games the Lakers won, Artest scored a three-pointer in each game.
They are all 1 in 3, 1 in 4, and 1 in 5.
This one went a step further and no one scored.
I can't blame Artest, because he always takes the blame.
It's not that the team cooperated to pass him an open pass, but that he had no choice but to throw it to himself.
If you don't score such a goal, it's normal, but if you can score one, it's pretty good.
Phil Jackson knew it was time to adjust his reception, so he replaced Bynum and replaced him with Odom.
In this way, the Lakers' lineup will be more flexible and the big center will not be walked out when defending.
When Min Congda saw this, he immediately shouted: "Three guards on top, Zach on the bottom!"
Dunleavy immediately made a substitution, replacing Randolph with Curry.
In this way, the Clippers played a large team with four small players, including Gasol at center.
Use PJ Tucker at the power forward, and Curry, Gordon, and Davis in the backcourt.
This lineup has been practiced in the regular season and can be played without any problem.
After the timeout, Pau Gasol received a pass from Kobe and hit a mid-range shot.
Dajia can also shoot mid-range shots, more accurately than his younger brother.
Just after the goal, when the Lakers retreated, Curry had already received the ball and quickly rushed through the half court.
Speed, facing the Lakers, speed is their only advantage.
Randolph and Gasol are of course important inside supports for the team.
But if they slow down the team, they can be thrown away temporarily.
Curry accelerated past Fisher, got to the basket, and came around.
He went all the way outside the three-point line, confusing the Lakers defender.
Gasol used a single screen and had a chance at 45 degrees. He shot a three-pointer and hit it!
Curry's three-pointer!
Kobe faced two Clippers defenders.
Hit a fadeaway jumper from the left.
The Lakers' offense has had its ups and downs and lacks some continuity.
After the Clippers made two offensive mistakes, the Lakers failed to seize the opportunity to close the score.
When Curry once again held the ball and got into the basket, the Lakers' defense was stirred again.
Curry passed the ball to Gasol in the high post, and Gasol took the ball and took a step inside.
Then the ball was passed to Davis, and Davis also broke through with the ball, and then distributed the ball again...
The Lakers' defense is like a net that is pulled repeatedly and eventually breaks somewhere.
There was a big gap in the left corner. Gordon caught the ball, shot a three-pointer, and hit!
Halfway through the third quarter, the score reached 55:64, and the Clippers led by 9 points.
Kobe immediately cooperated with Gasol, assisting Gasol and easily dunking inside.
Gasol caught the ball at the free throw line again and used fake moves to deceive the defense.
Breakthrough in the middle and then hit the throw.
Kobe Bryant played a classic singles game in the corner, dribbling continuously and then shooting a mid-range jump shot.
Gasol went down the pick-and-roll, caught the ball and scored a layup.
The Lakers played well offensively, and the point difference once caught up to 4 points.
However, the Lakers were unable to easily defeat the Clippers' offense like they did in the first three games.
Curry blocked a single chance at the top of the arc, and Shannon Brown squeezed through the defensive three-pointer.
Curry broke into the basket, faced Gasol for a layup and fouled, and went to the free throw line and made two free throws.
Baron Davis singled out Kobe, turned his back beautifully and rushed to the basket but missed the layup.
But Tucker got the offensive rebound and made a tip-in - without Bynum, the Lakers' backcourt rebound control declined.
Ricky Davis squatted in the bottom corner during the counterattack and hit a three-pointer at the last moment of the third quarter!
80:72, the Clippers entered the fourth quarter with an 8-point lead.
The balance of victory fell to the Clippers in the third quarter.
While Min Congda was cheering with the fans, his heart gradually began to beat a little.
"We can win this game, but we can only win this one, right? It won't be good if we win again, right? The Lakers had a typical abnormal performance today. Kobe is so tough, and the rim was crooked by him. Yes. Let everyone be happy if we lose this time. Don’t be too embarrassed by being swept. The next game is the Lakers’ home game. Work harder and eliminate the Clippers. I will end this season.”
Min Congda comforted himself in his heart, thinking that the Clippers could win a game, and he would be overthrown after having fun.
(End of chapter)
