The Godfather of Basketball

"He is ready to play." Rogers gave a very positive answer.

Tang Tian nodded.

Expecting McGrady to kill the Quartet as he did in the previous Rockets period is a bit unremarkable, but the Nets really need firepower on the bench at this time, even if it is just containment, it will be helpful to the team.

Of course, as he asked just now, McGrady must be ready, otherwise it will definitely not work to become a defensive black hole on the field.

After the regular meeting was over, the teaching assistants went to refine their respective tasks, Frank didn't leave right away, and after everyone else had left, he asked with some concern: "T-mac, has he adapted to this high-intensity confrontation? His back hurts..."

Frank's worry is not unreasonable. Although McGrady has played a few regular season games, his performance can only be regarded as mediocre, and he has not entered the rotation in the playoffs. This suddenly makes him come up to play such a high-intensity game, regardless of performance. , that is, injuries are likely to recur.

"He'll be fine." Tang Tian smiled, but didn't try to explain, and he couldn't explain the system.

On April 26, after a three-day break, the third game of the series between the Hawks and the Nets started in Brooklyn.

After the battle was tied 1-1, the outcome of this game is crucial to both sides, and the winning side will have an absolute advantage in the series.

The training on both sides before the game was not open to the public, and the tense atmosphere became more and more intense as the game approached.

When the arena opened to the public, thousands of fans poured into the arena, filling the huge Barclays Center to the brim.

"We can do it!", "The next Black Eight miracle!", "The Nets championship!"...

The fans held up the signs supporting the home team, and when the live camera was shown, they all waved excitedly.

Many Chinese audiences came to the scene to support Yi Jianlian and Tang Tian.

Some of them waved the five-star red flag, which was particularly dazzling on the sidelines.

The home jersey of the Nets is dark black, and the fans wear white T-shirts, black and white, as if preparing a "funeral" for the opponent.

When the home team players came out, there was a deafening cheer from the scene.

This is the home court of the New Yorkers, whether it is Madison Square Garden or Brooklyn, they must tell their opponents that this is the home of the New Yorkers.

Amidst the majestic sound, the starting players of both sides appeared one after another.

The Eagles maintained the lineup from the previous game, with Teague and Korver on the outside, Carroll and Horford on the front, and Antiche at center.

For the Nets, Tang Tian made another lineup adjustment. Joe Johnson, who played poorly on the field, returned to the bench, and Bojan Bogdanovic returned to the starting lineup. The other positions remained the same as before. And Bogdan Bogdanovic, insider Yi Jianlian and Jokic.

Amid the cheers of the New York fans, Yi Jianlian jumped high and turned the ball back to the Nets' half court. The home team got the chance to attack first.

"Come on! Nets!"

The audience was in high spirits and cheered for the home team at the beginning of the game, with an imposing manner.

These Eagles players are all veterans, and they didn't panic because of the away game. They strictly guarded against giving their opponents easy shots, just like the Nets did in the first two games.

However, after Deron took the ball to the frontcourt, the Nets did not play like the previous two games. Jokic was not on the three-point line, but fell to the low post and directly leaned against Antiche to reach out for the ball.

The other four all opened up space on both wings.

Bojan Bogdanovic's performance in the first two games was not good, but what makes him better than Joe Johnson is his three-pointer, which the Eagles must not dare to let go.

The Nets had four three-pointers on the court, and Jokic got plenty of space for singles in the low post.

Deron sent a lob steadily in. Jokic glanced at the other defensive players, and then began to push in.

Antić, as a big man with three-point ability, also has a rare confrontation ability, which can withstand Jokic and prevent him from digging in easily.

But at this moment, Jokic changed his style of play, his feet swayed continuously, and he played without using his body and technique.

This is also Jokic's talent. His physical coordination ability is considered top-notch among big men. Antić watched Jokic turn around and was about to make a layup, and directly rushed forward.

Whether Jokic could hide or not, he faced Antić's shot.

"Snapped!"

"beep!"

The slap hit Jokic firmly on the wrist, and the referee's whistle sounded.

Antic's thug foul.

There was a burst of cheers at the scene, and Jokic flicked his hand to the free throw line.

It has to be said that Antiche has a tough playing style, and his wrist is already blood red from the slap.

Adjusting his touch, he got to the free throw line.

The first free throw was missed, and the hit just now obviously had an impact.

The second free throw was hit, giving the team the lead.

In the Eagles' offense, Teague advanced to the frontcourt, and they still ran tactics. Bojan's defensive ability and experience were indeed much worse than Johnson's. Korver got consecutive pick-and-roll opportunities.

"Shua!"

After two games of slump, he finally showed signs of breaking out and hit a three-pointer with a knife in his hand.

There was a commotion at the scene, which was not a very good signal for the home team.

"Follow closely." Tang Tian stood on the sidelines at this moment, instead of scolding Bo Yang, he gave him more encouragement.

The rookie's poor performance in the playoffs needs encouragement. Not everyone is like Mitchell and Tatum in the previous life.

The Nets' frontcourt offense, the same tactic, Jokic is still reaching for the ball in the low post.

Budenholzer's reaction was quick, he realized what Tang Tian was going to do at this time, he got up and shouted at the sidelines to tell Antiche not to foul again.

Catch the ball, arch your back, push, turn, turn again, stick to the shot.

Antić raised his hand high, but it didn't interfere with Jokic, and the ball was steadily sent into the basket.

3 to 3, the two sides tied.

Looking back, the Eagles continued to cooperate, but this time the Nets did a good job of switching defenses. They didn't give the Eagles a good chance, and Teague also failed to make a small throw.

Yi Jianlian grabbed the defensive rebound, and the Nets pushed to the frontcourt and continued to let Jokic play Antiche.

Let alone Budenholzer at this time, even the fans can see it.

"Hit! Hit!"

There were bursts of shouts from the sidelines.

Antiche tried his best to prevent Jokic from arching in, but Jokic's style of play was too flexible, and Joe Johnson was not on the court, and the Eagles' defense was not good enough. He wanted to block the shot Thinking of Budenholzer's reminder from the sidelines, he shrank back.

Jokic's shot also put the ball in the basket.

Antiche waved his hand angrily.

There were cheers at the scene.

Jokic swept away the haze of the last game and scored 5 points in a row at the beginning.

Tang Tian couldn't help laughing wryly at this time. This Jokic is good at everything, but his personality is too shy. If this is changed to O'Neill, he will definitely be provocative after scoring. After the provocation is over, the opponent is naturally more likely to foul up.