Unlike the teams in the league that have already tanked, the Jazz are very resilient.
After falling behind in the first quarter, Karl Malone had a bad touch, but after rotating in the second half of the second quarter, he regained his touch.
In the low post near the paint, he made consecutive jump shots, and Karl Malone also scored easily after the pick-and-roll.
The Jazz, who slowed down the pace of the ga, successfully narrowed the gap thanks to Malone's performance of 5 of 5 shots, 2 of 2 free throws, and 12 points in a single quarter.
45:51, the Knicks finally entered the second half with a 6-point lead.
The New York fans at the scene did not mind the narrowing of the score gap. They had seen too many bullying gas last week, and the tug-of-war was in line with the fans' expectations.
Back in the locker room, Charles Oakley couldn't help but curse:
"Damn the shot, how co it's so accurate all of a sudden!"
The old guy was beaten by Malone, and close defense was useless. Malone, with his muscular body, was not afraid of confrontation. After finding his shooting touch, the pick-and-roll offense beca threatening again.
Patrick Ewing also felt that his performance was a bit embarrassing. Although he is also one of the top 50 NBA stars, most of his points tonight ca from free throws and dunks.
"We have to hold on for a few rounds and then widen the gap!"
As the leader and core of the team, Ewing is always serious during the ga. When the boss speaks, everyone can only respond.
Lee, who was sitting in his seat, nodded. The new players had no say.
This is also the reason why he doesn't like old guys. It has nothing to do with other factors, it's just that the basketball philosophies of both sides are different.
Charles Oakley also took the initiative to speak out and loudly supported Ewing's choice:
"I'll take care of Malone. Don't even think about passing the ball to . He won't have an easy ti in the second half!"
Larry Johnson, Alan Houston and Chris Charles also had no say, and the three new players also had to take the initiative to adapt to Ewing.
When Jeff Van Gundy entered the locker room, several veterans were still discussing how to limit the Jazz's offense through defense, which is the style of play they have always adhered to.
"Lee, you'll start in the second half. Don't feel pressured. Increase your off-ball movents appropriately. Everyone should pay attention to rebounds and not give the other team a second chance to attack!"
The head coach's words surprised Ewing, as this ant that Lee would have the ball again.
In the first half, Lee made 6 of 9 shots, 2 of 3 three-pointers, 3 of 3 free throws, 17 points, 2 rebounds and 6 assists. He really showed extrely high efficiency, so Ewing did not refute it and he also began to get used to the new style of play.
Charlie Ward, who was standing by, saw Lee communicating with the coaching staff and was angry again. His playing ti was getting less and less.
At the start of the third quarter, defensive shouts rang out in Madison Square Garden:
"Defense! Defense! Defense!"
After Stockton dribbled across half court, he ca to the right wing and imdiately passed the ball to Ostertag who was looking for the ball with his back to the basket in the low post.
After handing the ball over, Stockton moved toward the top of the arc, while Hornacek quickly bounced out to the right wing to receive the ball.
This is the tactic that every team in the league will use at this stage, with the big n in the low post containing the defense and the shooters responding. Lee saw that Alan Houston's defense was very effective and he knew that the opponent would definitely pass the ball sideways.
Sure enough, Hornacek, who received the ball the next second, had no chance and imdiately passed the ball horizontally. Lee was prepared and suddenly pressed forward.
Seeing that Lee almost completed the steal, the fans at the scene cheered.
Stockton didn't care. After receiving the ball, he turned around, held the ball with his left hand, moved sideways to the left wing, and prepared to pass the ball to Malone in the low post.
Charles Oakley did what he said and hung on Malone after the start of the second half.
The two of them kept pulling and entangled in the low post on the left side, and finally Malone was pushed to the left blocking area by the persistent defense.
Malone asked for the ball with his back to the basket, while Lee interfered with Stockton closely on the upper line. At the mont when Stockton made a ground pass, Oakley saw the opportunity and hit Malone's knee again.
Malone leaned forward and missed the ball, so it flew out of the baseline.
"Bad pass! This is Stockton's second turnover of the ga!"
Comntator Marv Albert did not see the details of the situation on the court, but just comnted on the Jazz's offensive rounds with a smile.
Karl Malone didn't complain. He just pointed at Oakley when he retreated, indicating that he would co back. The old guy didn't care. Instead, he ran towards the opponent's half with a smile.
The defense was successful and the fans cheered again. After Lee quickly crossed half court, the Knicks also used the sa tactics as the opponent.
The difference is that Alan Houston was responsible for passing the ball to Ewing who was looking for the ball in the low post on the left side, while Lee quickly ran back after completing the lateral pass.
After pretending to cut into the middle, quickly moving to the free throw line and suddenly running back, Lee returned to the top of the arc again.
Ewing, who was in the left low post, threw the ball to the top of the arc. Lee caught the ball without making any adjustnts and just threw it!
"Swish!" The three-pointer went into the net!
"Excellent teamwork! This is the attack we were expecting!"
Comntator John Andaris laughed out loud, and then praised Ewing's support.
At 45:54, Lee made a three-pointer, instantly widening the score difference.
Stockton did not expect Lee to act so decisively. He was surprised in his heart, but he did not show it on his face. He just stared at Lee with a stern face.
Ewing, who completed the assist, seed very happy. The gorilla smiled and high-fived Lee to celebrate. He believed that his restraining power played a key role.
For Lee, playing with the starting lineup, not playing pick-and-roll, with Ewing's low-post offense as the core, he beca an outside artillery and a passing tool.
The fans at the scene don't care who is the tactical core, as long as the team scores a goal, everyone will cheer!
In the next ga, Jerry Sloan on the sidelines could only helplessly watch Karl Malone, who had a great performance in the second quarter, miss many shots.
But Ewing suddenly found his touch, and he got into the paint for two consecutive rounds and made a shot right in front of the basket.
After scoring the goal, Ewing was more active in supporting the offense. Except for Charles Oakley who did not participate in the offense and only opened up space on the upper line, everyone else revolved around the gorilla in the low post.
Larry Johnson cut to the basket without the ball, and Lee and Alan Houston cross-screened him, running back continuously, ready to catch the ball and shoot a jump shot at any ti.
This ti, Lee quickly bounced out from the paint area, with the help of Oakley's screen in the blocking area on the left side of the free throw line, and ca to the left side to receive the pass from Ewing in the low post.
Without making any adjustnts, he raised the ball and threw it again!
"Lee! Another three! YES!"
Comntator Marv Albert shouted excitedly, and Madison Square Garden also erupted in huge cheers.
The Knicks started the second half with a 10:2 run, the score ca to 47:61, and Jerry Sloan had to request a tiout.
"Good job!"
Ewing, in a good mood, took the initiative to pat Lee on the shoulder to show encouragent.
The atmosphere group on the bench also stood up and high-fived Lee to celebrate.
Seeing that Ewing once again showed an attitude of "you are all here to assist
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