George Carl said:
"When we get on the court later, we must not make any more mistakes. We lower the tempo, play a few fewer rounds, use more pick-and-rolls and more breakthroughs, and take decisive shots when opportunities arise from the outside."
He paused, looked at Lawson and said:
"When you go on the court later, keep an eye on Allen (Iverson) and never give him a chance to counterattack."
Lawson nodded when he heard this. Although he played a little recklessly, he obeyed Karl's words.
Sure enough, after the timeout, Lawson resolutely implemented Karl's arrangement. Iverson tried to push back several times but was firmly restrained by him.
The offensive pace of both sides slowed down, and in most cases they fell into positional battles, and the score increase also slowed down.
Ariza and Tucker each made one attack but failed to achieve anything. Iverson did hit a mid-range shot, but also missed two goals.
The Nuggets were also difficult to attack. Several attacks failed, but fortunately there were no mistakes. In the last attack before the end of the third quarter, Brewer took two steps outside the three-point line and hit a three-pointer at the buzzer.
The trajectory was obviously a little skewed, but it was very powerful. The basketball hit the backboard and bounced into the basket. It was a lucky ball!
"This shot is interesting. Brewer is not good at long-range shots, but he has scored a lot of buzzer-beating three-pointers this season."
Zhang Weiping smiled.
"Generally speaking, defensive players will focus on the Nuggets who can shoot three-pointers accurately. Brewer has no pressure and scoring goals is relatively simple."
Yu Jia analyzed.
Relying on this magical stroke, the Nuggets maintained the point difference at 10 points and retained the suspense of the game.
84:74, the two sides entered the final quarter with this score.
"Allen (Iverson), you come down and rest for a few minutes. Patrick (Beverley), you go up, I will give you a task, keep an eye on Ty Lawson and don't let him score."
McHale said.
Beverley can't wait to play. He hasn't played a minute in this game so far. After hearing McHale's task arrangement, he immediately nodded heavily in agreement.
Not to mention asking him to guard Lawson, as long as he can play, he will not hesitate to guard the opponent's big center Mozgov.
At the beginning of the fourth quarter, both sides made substitution adjustments.
For the Rockets, McHale replaced Iverson with Beverley.
Iverson scored 8 points in the third quarter to help the team re-establish a double-digit lead, but he was already tired at this time.
After all, he is a 36-year-old man and it is still his first game. McHale is very careful in using him.
Furthermore, Iverson's effect against Lawson in this game was average. It is wise to choose "Tian Ji Horse Racing" at this time.
At the same time, Harden also returned to the court.
The team needs to have a main attack point. Harden, along with O'Neal, Beverley, Ariza and Tucker, is the Rockets' initial regular lineup in the fourth quarter.
Of course, games that are clocked in three quarters do not count.
The Nuggets' lineup also changed a lot. George Karl retained Lawson, Mozgov and Brewer, who made a three-pointer at the buzzer, and replaced Gallinari and Chandler.
He was fully prepared before the game and put a lot of effort into hiring McHale.
It was indeed unexpected for McHale to replace Iverson in the middle of the third quarter, but the lineup that came up in this quarter was completely unexpected.
Xu Xin also saw the clues and said in a deep voice:
"The Nuggets' lineup is well prepared."
"how do I say this?"
Yao Ming asked.
"If my guess is correct, Corey (Brewer) will play the No. 2 position to guard James (Harden). He is tall and has long arms and moves fast. It is difficult for James to fight against him."
Xu Xin said.
"Wilson (Chandler) played the 3 against Trevor (Ariza), which was ordinary. Danilo (Gallinari) played the 4 and faced P.J. (K) is the killer move."
McGrady took over the words, and he quickly reacted through Xu Xin's words.
"P.J. is very experienced in guarding power forwards with good physical fitness, even if he is much taller than him. But when facing someone with shooting ability, he is unable to do what he wants."
Xu Xin nodded and continued.
"KG (Garnett) can't play at this time, but he must endure it."
Yao Ming understood what the two of them meant and frowned.
Although this is only a regular season game, this is Iverson's first game back and cannot be messed up.
The Nuggets took the lead in attacking, and Lawson did not show any discomfort in the face of Beverley's full-court defense.
Before this game, Karl deliberately asked the substitutes to imitate Beverley's defensive method and defend Lawson.
This training method is not surprising. As early as more than ten years ago, in order to adapt Duncan and Robinson to O'Neal's invincible post-up singles, Popovich specially signed Battle and asked him to imitate O'Neal's post-up attack.
Lawson passed the half court smoothly, and the Nuggets quickly cleared one side. Gallinari indeed fell to the low position.
Facing Tucker, Gallinari received Lawson's pass and first observed the defense. Seeing that Harden, who was closest, did not choose to help defend against the attack, he immediately launched a back attack.
After two attempts but no push, Gallinari quickly changed his move, took a big step diagonally behind the baseline, turned over and shot a fadeaway jumper.
"Uh-huh!"
The net made a crisp sound, and the basketball entered the net hollowly, 84:76.
Gallinari scored the Nuggets' first sports goal of the fourth quarter and got off to a good start.
With a height of 2.08 and an excellent wingspan, coupled with a fadeaway jumper, Tucker, who is 1.96, is defenseless and can only watch the ball and sigh.
Seeing such a matchup, Xu Xin couldn't help but think of the same situation when Tucker defended Durant during the Huoyong battle.
To be honest, the biggest difficulty for the Rockets on the defensive end was not Curry, but Durant. The Rockets' forward group was not afraid of facing most of the league's star forwards, but they were a little at a loss when facing Durant. .
"We switch, you guard Wilson (Chandler)."
Ariza came over and said.
Tucker nodded, sent the baseline ball to Beverley, then ran forward and settled in the bottom corner.
Beverley dribbled the ball to the frontcourt and handed it to Harden to also run away and take away the defender.
Facing Brewer, Harden continued to find rhythm with his hips in one direction, and then stepped back and made a three-point jumper.
"Snapped!"
Harden was a little stunned when he was slapped away by Brewer.
In a daze, Brewer flew towards the landing point of the basketball. After getting the ball, he ran forward in long strides and made another one-handed dunk.
84:78, the score difference returned to two rounds.
"Harden can block shots on his step-back three-pointers. Brewer is the first player to do this."
Yu Jia also found it incredible.
"I think McHale should call a timeout and rearrange the situation. The opponent is obviously well prepared, and their offense and defense are very targeted."
Zhang Weiping was keenly aware of the change in the situation and said.
