Zhao Chen's defensive ability has been recognized by many opponents and experts.
Even this season, he is considered to have the possibility of winning DPOY.
The Lakers' offense comes again.
Zhao Chen brought the ball across the half court and waved Boban over to cover.
Boban averaged 20 minutes per game this season, scoring 7 points, 8 rebounds and 1 block.
The overall data performance is also impressive.
Boban cannot be used as a regular tactic, but can only be used as a surprise player. His advantages lie in height, interior defense, and coverage.
The advantages are obvious, but the disadvantages are also obvious. The pace is too slow, the transition cannot keep up, and it is easy to be misplaced by small men on the outside.
The playing time cannot be extended even if it is desired.
Boban covered up the screen to cover Zhao Chen.
Zhao Chen used the cover to take a step around, and then retreated. Boban made a smooth move to attract the defensive attention.
Although Gordon and Hollodi are following Zhao Chen, they have no habit of guarding Zhao Chen's retreat.
Zhao Chen's retreat three-pointer fired again!
The pacing is perfect and the arc is perfect!
"Uh-huh!"
22 to 23.
Easily overtaking the score, the Pelicans' lead has no meaning to the game.
Anthony Davis smashed the ball to the ground. There was nothing he could do about Zhao Chen's retreat.
Zhao Chen rarely goes inside to challenge Anthony Davis. Anthony Davis' wingspan still interferes with inside attacks, so Zhao Chen will not go out of his way to make him feel uncomfortable.
Zhao Chen has many offensive weapons, so he doesn't have to attack others' strengths.
The Pelicans' offense comes again.
Anthony Davis is still the starting point for tactics.
Boban defended Anthony Davis alone. Boban defended very high. Anthony Davis had a good touch today and he could shoot.
Davis was ready to drive to beat Boban, but Zhao Chen's double attack came quickly.
Davis had to take care of the ball immediately.
If he handles the ball slowly, he will be caught by Boban and Zhao Chen.
Anthony Davis passed the ball, but it was too big. Gordon didn't catch it and went straight out of bounds.
Lakers offense.
It's still Zhao Chen who plays with the ball.
Boban did not cover and stood directly inside. Anthony Davis went around to defend Boban.
Zhao Chen's continuous dribbling attracted the attention of Hollodi and Anthony Davis and then lobbed the ball high.
Boban caught the ball under the basket, stood up and dunked the ball!
"frame!"
22 to 25.
No matter how good Anthony Davis's physical talent is, he can't guard Boban in this position.
Boban getting the ball there basically means just lifting the ball up and dunking or putting it into the basket.
Pelicans offense.
Gordon and Davis were in a pick-and-roll attack. After the pick-and-roll, Gordon rushed over, taking advantage of Boban's slow turn, and easily succeeded in a layup.
24 to 25.
Lakers offense.
Zhao Chen broke through and passed the ball to Dinwiddie on the outside. Dinwiddie shook Gordon away with one step and made a steady three-pointer!
"Uh-huh!"
24 to 28.
The general difference between Lakers rookies and other rookies is that they play smart, choose the timing of their shots well, and don't mess around.
The rest of the first quarter fell into the Lakers' rhythm.
The Lakers' offense is an outside attack, because everyone knows that Anthony Davis's wingspan interferes a lot. Unless there is a really good chance of a breakthrough, they generally don't attack in his direction.
The Pelicans know that the focus of the Lakers' offense is on the outside, but they have no choice but to have a defensive system and can only rely on the players' individual defense, and defense is not the advantage of their outside players.
Lakers players can find advantages through simple tactical coordination.
After the first quarter, the score was 30 to 37, with the Lakers leading by 7 points.
The offensive efficiency of both teams was also good. Zhao Chen scored 19 points in this quarter and made 5 of 7 three-pointers from outside.
Compared with the Pelicans, the Lakers' defense is slightly better, but it is only better, not much better.
In the second quarter of the game, the second lineups of both sides competed.
On the Pelicans side, Gordon and Holloday lead the game, while on the Lakers side, Dinwiddie and Clarkson deal with it from the outside.
Comparing this lineup, the Pelicans have the advantage. Gordon and Holloday don't have to face Zhao Chen on the outside, and they can play more confidently.
Gordon started his personal offensive mode, combining sudden shots and hitting Clarkson.
Neither Clarkson nor Dinwiddie's defense could restrain Gordon. Gordon's style of play was too oily.
In addition to being accurate from outside, this guy can also break through.
Zhao Chen watched Gordon score consecutively and wanted to dig him out.
Gordon and Lu Wei are the same type of scorers. If they break out, they will have All-Star level scoring ability.
Clarkson was completely beaten by Gordon, and his outside line was directly blown away. Gordon led the Pelicans to a 10-2 shock wave.
Just one Gordon made the Lakers rookie perimeter very frustrated.
Gordon is not famous, but he seems to be much better than them.
Zhao Chen knows very well that Gordon is just not famous now. When he goes to the Rockets, he can already become Harden's deputy.
The Lakers' rookies will not be worse than him when they grow up, but there are still some gaps.
40 to 39.
The score was overtaken and Scott stopped the game.
After the timeout, Zhao Chen and Jokic took the field at the same time.
Scott still wants to win.
Gordon's state was obviously excited, and Zhao Chen didn't immediately press his personal attack when he came up.
Gordon actually hit two rebound three-pointers, what else could Zhao Chen say...
Zhao Chen's appearance improved the Lakers' offense, and the Lakers' offense will also respond to the Pelicans.
Anthony Davis was also replaced quickly, and his appearance slightly dampened the Lakers' offensive momentum.
The shortcomings of rookies all appeared. The Lakers' rotation was insufficient in depth and could not keep up with the Pelicans' rhythm. The Pelicans launched a counterattack by the Lakers.
The first half of the game ended quickly, with the score fixed at 67-60.
The Pelicans beat the Lakers by 7 points in this quarter.
Anthony Davis scored 20 points and 11 rebounds in the first half, and Gordon did not give in too much, scoring 18 points and 5 assists.
Zhao Chen still played steadily, scoring 30 points, 6 assists and 4 rebounds. Zhao Chen threw 8 three-pointers in the first half.
Except for Zhao Chen, no other player scored in double figures at halftime, and every rookie's score was relatively fragmented.
The Lakers locker room at halftime.
"Which one of you is going to guard Eric Gordon or Anthony Davis?" Scott pointed to the two numbers on the tactical board.
"Leave Eric to me." Zhao Chen said.
"I'll deal with Anthony Davis." Jokic volunteered.
"Okay, let's leave it to you, we'll mark people." Scott laid out the tactics for the second half.
The Lakers played well in the first quarter, leading by 7 points, but failed in the second quarter. This was due to the opponent's outburst, and also to the lack of concentration on their own defense.
If Zhao Chen's offense had not been so stable and efficient, the current score gap would be even greater.
When playing against playoff-level teams, a rookie lineup is prone to such obvious fluctuations in form. This cannot be changed in a short time.
