Back at halftime, the Clippers attacked. Griffin and Paul, the internal and external core, still stayed on the court, with three substitute players: Matt Barnes, Grant Hill, and Ronny Turiaf.
On the Trail Blazers' side, the five-man group on the court is led by Aldridge, Lillard, and Batum.
Needless to say, Lillard is the league's number one model worker this season, averaging 39 minutes of playing time per game. Batum averages 38 minutes of playing time per game, ranking at the forefront of the league.
Even Aldridge, who has the least playing time, still has 37 minutes, and this...
That’s the advantage of being young!
Paul advanced to the frontcourt and waited for his teammates to get into position.
Griffin stood near the short corner on the left, and Aldridge was pulled out.
Griffin, who averaged 22.5 points per game in his debut, is by no means a "dunk machine" or "nothing but dunks" as some people think.
On the contrary, Griffin can be said to be one of the few power forwards with comprehensive skills after Tim Duncan. Although he is a little immature now, in terms of the inside skills of the new generation of inside players, Griffin is the best.
Except for Wang Zelin.
Today's White Monster does not like to shoot from the outside and initiate advances with the ball as he did later in his career. In addition to powerful dunks, Griffin's free throw shooting percentage and jump shots have steadily improved year by year, which makes opponents dare not leave him wantonly.
At the same time, Matt Barnes took Batum away from the low corner, Grant Hill came to the free throw line, and Paul passed the ball to Grant Hill, who held the ball and immediately set up a triple threat.
Will Barton leaned forward with a puzzled look on his face, when backup center Jared Jeffries was taken away by Ronny Turiaf, leaving the basket empty.
Could it be that the former successor to Jordan wanted to challenge himself... Will Barton was a little confused.
The highly motivated Will Barton went to check out the Clippers' bench before the game, and naturally the famous Grant Hill was not spared.
Averaging 3.21 points and 1.6 rebounds per game, he is at the end of his career and not far from retirement.
Will Barton started to exert force and wanted to push Grant Hill out, but Grant Hill suddenly threw the ball into the air...
"Bang!"
The red figure No. 23 hangs on the Trail Blazers basket.
White Monster completed the alley-oop!
"It can be seen that when Wang is not on the court, the Trail Blazers' interior deterrence and defensive intensity have obviously dropped to a higher level."
Kenny Smith said.
"But the Trail Blazers are currently the leading team, so let's see what they do next."
Buckley said.
As soon as Lillard passed halftime, Paul followed her inseparably.
"Want to scare me?"
Feeling the oppressive atmosphere coming from Paul, Lillard remained unmoved.
While observing the defensive form on the field, dribble the ball to a fixed position.
Batum, who was facing off against Grant Hill, suddenly waved for the ball. After Lillard passed it, Batum motioned for everyone to pull away.
“Is Nicolas Batum so blind to Grant Hill?”
Well, given Hill's state this year, let alone me, it's hard for even Clippers fans to take him seriously.
If it weren't for the fact that Hill averaged 10 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game last season, the Kuaishou management would not have owed Hill a two-year contract with an average annual salary of approximately 1.9 million yuan.
As a result, due to injuries and age issues, he did not play a game at the beginning of the season. He only officially returned in recent games, and his data declined across the board.
Anyone with a discerning eye can see that this transaction is likely to be a loss.
Facing the old and frail Grant Hill, Batum chose a more confident breakthrough, passing the former in one step and hitting the basket with a split dunk.
Looking at Grant Hill who staggered several times before regaining his balance, many elderly fans felt a little sad, but there was nothing they could do.
In sports competitions, food is the original sin, and everything else is an excuse.
“Are the Clippers stupid?”
"A veteran who is almost 40 years old is actually allowed to defend Batum alone!"
"I hope they continue this strategy."
Sure enough, more fans focused on Batum who scored the goal.
As for Hill...
After an awkward forced smile, he raised his head and continued walking towards his own half.
Maybe I shouldn't be here.
Wouldn't it be nice to stay in Phoenix?
Hill began to miss his days with the Suns.
…
After playing for nearly 4 minutes, the Trail Blazers led the Clippers by 4 points 65:61, and the point difference was only narrowed by one point.
Batum scored 7 points and 2 rebounds. He was the main contributor to maintaining the point difference.
The Hill opposite has been reduced to a cash machine.
After playing for almost half a quarter, the team not only failed to take the lead, but could not even narrow the point difference. This was something Clippers head coach Vinny Del Negro never expected.
The original intention of visiting Hill was to test Hill's competitive status and physical recovery, and to increase his outside firepower.
As a result, his cleverness was mistaken for his cleverness... This made Vinny Del Negro feel very depressed.
Just as he was about to call a timeout for the next change of ball possession, Lillard held the ball just past halftime, and Trail Blazers coach Terry Stotts took the lead in calling a short timeout.
At a glance, Trail Blazers No. 36 has taken off his thermal clothing and started stretching.
"DeAndre, get ready!"
Although Jordan was completely unilaterally defeated by Wang Zelin in this game, who makes him the Clippers' defensive backbone?
At a time like this, if he doesn’t fall in love, who will?
"I see."
Little Jordan, who was a little autistic after being beaten, had a droopy face and reluctantly took off his thermal clothing.
After the timeout, Aldridge served a sideline ball.
Coach Terry originally wanted Wang Zelin to send it, but the latter refused on the spot.
The attitude shown is decisive!
As for the rhetoric, Wang Zhilin excused himself by saying, "I have to take over as soon as possible."
Facts have proved that Wang Zelin did not disappoint Coach Terry, scoring 6 points in a row.
Jordan, who was guarding him, received three fouls early in the first half. He did not dare to make any excessive moves for fear of being fouled again... It was so frustrating!
Wang Zelin looked at it and felt panicked.
However, Paul's organizational skills are really great, which is enough to surpass Lillard by several blocks.
Coupled with Chauncey Billups, who was also the master of playmaking and was appointed to play the 2 position, the Clippers were playing well for a while, going on a 12:10 run to chase the score to 75:73. , and the score was about to be evened.
Seeing this, Clippers coach Vinny Del Negro couldn't help but beat his head.
If he had known this, he should have played a double point guard style, and should not have been thinking about how to limit the Blazers' offense before the game.
Because that can’t be restricted at all!
Might as well play against each other early.
But... looking at the scoreboard, Vinny Del Nicoro felt that it wasn't too late.
At this time, there were two minutes left in the third quarter. Lillard saw that Wang Zelin would not pass even after being double-teamed in the paint, so he knew that the latter must be high.
25 points and 12 rebounds!
Whoever this data is placed on will not be high.
"Bang!"
Wang Zelin took action again and hit three irons in succession. Although he won a free throw this time,...
"Snapped!"
"Snapped!"
A rare missed two free throws.
"The king is tired, now it's my turn."
Lillard made a decision in his mind.
Paul dribbled the ball across half court and passed the ball to Griffin on the left.
For a moment, the entire audience's focus was on this white monster.
One person and one goal seemed to have great magic power, making everyone's eyes fixed on him.
Now there is only the last minute left before the end of the third quarter, and the two teams are tied at 75:73...
The Clippers were only one goal away from tying the score.
This goal can greatly affect the morale of both teams.
Griffin felt the drastic change in the atmosphere around him. While dribbling the ball with Aldridge's back, he observed the changes in his opponent's position.
Obviously, Griffin, who has long been accustomed to the focus of flashlights, is not only not anxious about the attention of everyone, but also has a surge in fighting spirit.
During this period, Griffin was regarded as another iconic figure in the league. His explosive playing style brought him unparalleled popularity. Many people regard him as one of the important candidates for the number one player in the league in the future.
If Aldridge would talk trash at this time, it might disturb Griffin's mind, but unfortunately...he won't!
After thinking about it, Griffin glanced at Jordan, who understood and walked out of the paint.
Wang Zelin hesitated for a moment and left the penalty area.
Jordan's ability to cut through air and eat cakes has to be guarded against.
In full view of everyone, Griffin half-turned to face Aldridge, staring at the latter fiercely.
He moved!
First, he swung the ball up with both hands, faked a shot, then suddenly lowered his center of gravity, using his left foot as his left center foot, then quickly stepped back with his right foot, followed with his left foot, and successfully passed Aldridge for a layup. Finished at the basket.
This is a guard-style breakthrough and turn around the basket, which requires extremely fast speed and a smooth process.
However, Griffin really fulfilled the above requirements.
75:75.
The two teams were tied.
The offense and defense exchanged. Lillard didn't wait for Wang Zelin to enter the position, and waved him to come out for the pick-and-roll.
Wang Zelin didn't refuse. He was a little tired from the frequent shots, so he came up to help Lillard block Paul.
Lillard breaks through from the right.
Lillard, who was sprinting with all his strength, caught Jordan off guard and failed to follow him after changing defense. After Lillard entered the reasonable collision area, he suddenly grabbed the ball, separated his right foot, took a step forward, bent his knees, and grabbed the ball high. Lift it up, tense all over...
This is an iconic tomahawk chop action!
How could Jordan, who was full of confidence in his physical fitness, witness his opponent complete such a dunk, jump up with a run-up, and cover Lillard.
"Eh?"
Jordan jumped up, and the basketball suddenly disappeared from his sight. When he landed, he realized that the basketball suddenly jumped up...
"Pah...shua!"
Wipe the board into the basket!
He raised his head and looked at the big screen...it turned out that Lillard changed the dunk to a layup at the last moment, avoided Jordan's block, and hit the layup with a lever.
77:75.
What a thief!
Little Jordan rubbed his heartbeat's hair dejectedly, and waited for the baby to come over and quickly served the baseline ball.
There are still 37 seconds left, and both sides theoretically have one attack time.
It was the Clippers' turn to attack. Paul accelerated and passed Lillard. Wang Zelin didn't do what he thought and jumped to block the shot at the right moment.
But Paul chose to distribute the ball at the last moment. Willie Green received the pass at the three-point line in the bottom corner. Batum interfered in time to make a hit.
The audience in the stands stood up, applauded, or shouted. There were still 15 seconds left, as if everyone wanted to know the performance of the Trail Blazers' final attack in the third quarter.
As Wang Zelin cheered one after another, the last candidate for the performance seemed to have been born.
However, Lillard went to the frontcourt, ignored the fans' chants, and signaled his teammates to open up space.
Wang Zelin and Aldridge quickly retreated to the left and right perimeters, ready to rush for rebounds.
Although he failed to meet the requirements of some fans, Lillard still made many fans full of expectations.
Averaged 17.8 points, 8.2 assists and 3.5 rebounds per game...and a league-high 39 minutes of playing time!
The above is enough for Lillard to live up to the expectations of all Portland fans.
Although next to Wang Zelin, Lillard is not as dazzling as in the previous impression, but this is only compared to the United States.
Looking at the world of basketball, with the support of his teammates in China, Lillard already has a certain reputation, which was beyond his reach in his rookie season.
"The fan atmosphere in Portland is really good, the fans are so enthusiastic!"
Kenny Smith laughed.
"Tch, if I were a Portland fan and two talented rookies were selected in the same draft that could serve as the cornerstone of the team, I would be not only happy, but almost crazy."
Buckley added.
"Yes, the most important thing is that not only do these two people have no overlapping positions, but they can also complement each other."
"..."
Off the court, Clippers coach Vinny Del Negro looked serious, and he heard the exchange between Kenny Smith and Barkley.
He fully agreed with Kenny Smith and Barkley.
"With such a young army appearing in the Western Conference, it will be difficult to make the playoffs in the future."
Back on the court, there are 8 seconds left on the clock.
Lillard still stayed outside the three-point line, and the hearts of the Rose Garden fans were almost in their throats.
What does this guy No. 0 want to do?
Doesn't he check the time?
Paul was also filled with doubts.
Normally, the best time to launch an attack is around 8 seconds.
This time point can not only take into account personal offensive choices, but also have enough fault tolerance.
For example, assisting (throwing) and attacking (causing) a teammate at the last moment...
Last 4 seconds.
Paul's hair stood on end and his concentration was intense.
It's a pity... Lillard still has no idea of entering the three-point line.
Some fans either held their heads or covered their eyes. They no longer had any expectations for Lillard and had no idea what the latter was up to.
Wang Zelin on the inside seemed to have thought of something, and there was a faint expectation in his heart.
Would you really do this?
Everyone's thoughts were racing, and in the last three seconds, Lillard finally moved.
Cross-stepping forward, forcing Paul back... With two seconds left, Paul took off decisively.
He had a hunch that this would be a pull-up three-pointer.
However...Lillard suddenly took a step back, got enough space and suddenly shot.
The ball just passed a certain distance from the hand, the red light came on, and the third quarter was over, but no one cared about it.
Everyone's attention was focused on the orange basketball flying in the air.
Blow, blow, let this ball blow...
"Bang!"
"Uh-huh!"
The three-pointer hit the board, and the Trail Blazers added another three-pointer, 80:75, and the point difference returned to 5 points like a cycle.
