Malone had Hansen and Jokic play the entire first quarter, with Hansen in blazing form, scoring 21 points in a single quarter.
Under his leadership, the Cavaliers scored a high of 40 points in the first quarter.
The opposite Warriors, led by Jas and Curry, also did not fall behind, scoring 34 points.
The two teams combined for 74 points in the first quarter, perfectly demonstrating both teams’ scoring explosiveness.
Keep in mind that this was before the rule change to 14 seconds on second-chance offense, making the number of possessions limited.
The Cavaliers fans on-site were incredibly excited, watching Jokic and Hansen’s superbly entertaining coordination in the latter half of the first quarter.
O’Neal couldn’t hide his admiration for Jokic in the comntary booth: "Hansen has finally found his Pippen!"
Praising is inevitable; soday when Jokic truly breaks through, if he says in an interview, "My idol is O’Neal," it will mark a pivotal mont in enhancing his historical status.
However, the Warriors’ strength is undeniable. After Green returned in the second quarter, they fully unleashed their firepower, counterattacking the Cavaliers with 40-35 in a single quarter.
At halfti, the score was 74-75, with the Cavaliers leading by 1 point.
During the half, the two teams combined for 149 points, turning the Christmas battle into a shootout.
And it’s not just a scoring showcase; the quality of offense and defense from both sides was top-notch, holding everyone’s full attention.
If these two played a series, it would undoubtedly be the top ratings hit.
During the halfti break, back in the locker room, Hansen noticed Irving looking a bit down.
Irving was too eager to prove himself tonight but instead perford poorly, shooting 3-for-10 in the first half for only 7 points.
This is understandable, after all, the phrase "No one wants to be teammates with Jas," he innately carries a bloodthirst when facing Jas.
Hansen went over, rubbed his shoulder, and sat down next to him:
"Relax a bit, in the second half they should double-team Nikola and , then you’ll need to seize your opportunities."
Irving looked at Hansen, then nodded firmly.
It’s difficult to harbor any ill will toward a leader like Hansen.
Because superstars with ability usually have a temper, just as people with money tend to get cocky.
If you played alongside Jordan and perford poorly, he could berate you until you couldn’t stand on your own;
If it were Jas, you might already have turned from a teammate into an opponent.
But Hansen always finds a way to encourage you.
That’s the difference in personality.
You’ll see Jordan’s forr teammates recognize his skill while calling him a jerk, Jas’s teammates make bold statents after leaving him, but Hansen’s forr teammates have nothing but praise for him.
Returning in the second half, both sides switched to small-ball lineups, and simultaneously adjusted defensive strategies, starting to tighten against each other’s pick-and-roll tactics.
This was a summary adjustnt of the first-half defensive strategy and also a show of confidence in their own defensive mobility.
At this mont, the scoring stability of Irving and Thompson as weak-side offensive focal points was being tested.
In the third quarter, Irving found his rhythm again and played with decisiveness.
But Klay Thompson on the other side exploded even more thoroughly.
The title of the greatest shooter in history might be an exaggeration, but the greatest off-ball shooter case is strong with Thompson.
His record of 13 three-pointers in a single quarter, scoring 37 points, is the best testant to his scoring explosiveness.
Especially under the defensive attention attracted by Jas and Curry, once he finds his touch, it’s like what so East University fans say, it’s "the Buddha showing his spirit."
Thompson seized the opportunity to nail six three-pointers in this quarter, and the Warriors scored another 37 points.
Under his performance, the Warriors finished the third quarter with a double-digit lead, 111 to 100.
Now the Cavaliers were in trouble.
Because stopping this Warriors offense was incredibly difficult.
Especially when both Splash Brothers were on fire tonight, defense beca significantly challenging.
Moreover, in the third quarter, Jokic’s defensive flaws were thoroughly exposed; he struggled to defend against pick-and-rolls when facing the Warriors’ small-ball lineup.
If Jokic could grow to overpower Green in the low post, it would be doomsday for the Warriors’ small-ball lineup.
But until then, his defense would be targeted.
The Cavaliers faced a predicant, though in the end, the Christmas battle was just a regular season ga, but it held great significance for the Cavaliers.
Under this pressure, the chief assistant Lue proposed the ultimate basketball tactic to Malone: give the ball to the strongest player.
In terms of scoring explosiveness, the Cavaliers had a tough ti competing against the Warriors in this state; the only solution was for Hansen to perform miracles with all his might.
Basketball is not rely a comparison of lineups or strength, because the ga is played by people, and people have emotional fluctuations.
No matter if you are armored in Bright Armor, a fully equipped heavy cavalry, seeing soone opposite wielding a Mo Blade, performing "invincible like Tian on the battlefield," fear would still arise.
As a master of motivational speeches, Lue’s approach was also psychological.
Malone accepted Lue’s suggestion.
He subbed Hansen in at the start of the fourth quarter.
On the other side, Cole quickly responded by subbing in Jas and Thompson.
When Hansen plays as a substitute transition phase, it’s genuinely a dinsional reduction strike like in "The Three-Body Problem."
As the ga went on, Cole soon realized that Malone wasn’t rely giving the ball to Hansen straightforwardly.
Because Hansen was consciously attacking the Warriors’ interior.
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