in2ebook Chapter 115 I said we must win today, and we must win. Even Jesus can't help it.
Chapter 115 I said we must win today, and we must win. Even Jesus can't help it.
Unseld's timeout did indeed improve the Wizards' game significantly.
The Wizards' problem is that they've made too many mistakes lately, and their shooting percentage has dropped, allowing the Rockets to launch several fast breaks.
Unseld's demand was simply to slow down!
The Rockets are a fast-paced team, and their lineup is mainly composed of young players.
Both Wang Xiucheng and Green are capable of flying and jumping, and they love to engage in chaotic battles.
However, if the Wizards slow down and increase their shooting percentage, their height advantage will come into play.
Whether it's Kuzma, Avdija, Bertans, or Gafford, they are all around 208cm tall.
The Rockets only have Shen Jingneng who can match the Wizards in height.
So in the rest of the game, the Wizards kept chipping away at the basket with every single ball.
Shen Jing was hampered by his foul count and dared not make any big moves.
With a loud thud, Avdija shook Shen Jing up, then passed the ball inside to Gafford for an alley-oop, which the latter slammed home.
Wang Xiucheng received the ball and advanced the ball. After Shen Jing entered the paint and had Gafford behind him, Wang Xiucheng lobbed the ball directly to Shen Jing.
At this point, Shen Jing must be given a chance to respond. Rookies are most afraid of being suppressed and unable to get possession of the ball, which can easily cause psychological problems for them, or even self-doubt.
Even if he can't score, he has to take the shot himself.
Moreover, Shen Jing has the ability to do so.
After receiving the ball, Shen Jing carried Gafford and pushed him inside, while Gafford also fought back against Shen Jing.
There were no fancy moves between the two; it was just muscle against muscle, strength against strength.
A series of thuds, like metal clashing, rang out.
Wang Xiucheng's teeth ached from hearing this.
If I were to collide with Gafford like that, I'd probably fall apart long ago.
Even so, Shen Jing did not actually have the upper hand. Jia Fude simply took a step back, then stood firm and stopped retreating.
Shen Jing bumped into him several times, then suddenly turned around and stood on one leg.
The basketball landed on Shen Jing's shoulder like a cannonball, and then Shen Jing pushed the ball out from his shoulder with a slight backward lean.
Swish!
The basketball traced an exaggerated arc before falling into the net.
Shen Jing took two steps back to steady herself, then flexed her biceps and pursed her lips as she backed away.
Wang Xiucheng looked at Shen Jing's shoulder, which was covered in red marks from the brutal collision.
Wang Xiucheng patted Shen Jing's butt and said, "Giving them two points is fine, we'll catch up with three."
You get two points, I get three points, so who's the right one?
Shen Jing nodded calmly.
During the Wizards' offense, Gafford blocked Shen Jing behind him and reached out to get the ball.
Then Gafford, holding the ball, leaned back forcefully.
"Fake!"
Shen Jing pulled the chair away, which caused Gafford to fall to the ground and lose control of the basketball.
Gordon quickly caught the ball, then looked up and saw Wang Xiucheng running forward while reaching out for the ball.
Without the slightest hesitation, Gordon tossed the basketball directly to Wang Xiucheng, who had already shaken off Beal.
Wang Xiucheng received the ball, paused slightly, and then threw it directly to the left.
Jalen Green arrived just in time.
Swish!
Three-pointer, in!
Garford, who had just gotten up, looked constipated.
He was gathering his strength to deliver a hard blow, but Shen Jing pulled away the chair – that was downright effeminate.
Bill, his face grim, returned to the baseline to receive the ball.
too fast!
Although the Rockets are a terrible team, their speed and quality of counterattacks are among the best in the league.
The Rockets have two speed-oriented guards, Jalen Green and Wang Xiucheng, both of whom can shoot threes, penetrate, and have excellent physical attributes.
This makes it very difficult for other teams in the league to defend against the Rockets' counter-attack storm.
Beal received Gafford's serve and advanced into the attacking third.
This time he plans to make one himself.
But then Garford stopped Shen Jing again, reaching out his hand and looking at Bill with longing.
Bill thought for a moment, then lobbed the ball into the penalty area to Gafford.
Gadford dug further back, paying special attention to whether Shen Jing's strength was still intact.
After several exchanges, Gafford pushed Shen Jing into the restricted area and scored two points with a layup.
Then, imitating Shin Kyung, Gafford raised one hand, showing off his biceps, and looked at Shin Kyung provocatively while backing away.
He retreated to the center line and was about to turn around when Garford heard a whooshing sound.
Jiafude subconsciously turned around and saw Wang Xiucheng slowly withdrawing his hands.
Wang Xiucheng clearly scored three points quickly.
Bill frowned, wishing he could kick Garford in the butt.
Just as Gafford was gloating, Wang Xiucheng had already started to accelerate, and Green received the inbound pass and passed it directly to Wang Xiucheng.
Garford didn't even realize when the basketball was passed out; all he could think about was getting his revenge.
At this moment, Gafford also had a gloomy face.
He had only managed to score two points after struggling for a long time, and before he could even get back into position, Wang Xiucheng had already scored?
So, out of the ten people in the room, you're just messing around with yourself?
Unseld was standing on the sidelines, looking at Gafford, seemingly considering whether to substitute him.
Gafford didn't dare look at Unseld. This time, he didn't want the ball or to play against Shen Jing anymore. He just diligently set screens for Beal.
Then, after Beal drives in, he will decide whether to pass to the inside or to the player outside the three-point line to shoot a three-pointer, depending on the situation on the court.
However, Wang Xiucheng, Green, and Gordon Tate completely denied them any opportunities on the perimeter, preferring to let Beal drive in rather than allow them to easily shoot three-pointers.
So the Wizards could only chip away at their own defense, one ball at a time.
The Rockets' three-point shooting percentage isn't 100%, and with the Wizards' aggressive, shot-heavy style of play, the two teams were evenly matched for a time.
The game quickly came to a close with just one minute remaining.
The Wizards controlled the ball past half-court and scored again in the final moments of their shot clock, tying the game at 111.
With 30 seconds remaining, the Rockets have possession of the ball.
This time, Wang Xiucheng took the initiative to reach for the ball, pushed Bill again, caught the ball, and then dribbled between his legs to change direction and accelerate past Bill.
Bill was right behind Wang Xiucheng, but he wasn't in a hurry to chase after him.
He knew that Wang Xiucheng would not launch a direct attack and would definitely try to achieve a success rate in the final moments.
That was indeed Wang Xiucheng's choice.
Wang Xiucheng stopped his ball three-point attempt, and only then did Bill finally arrive in front of him.
While controlling the ball, Wang Xiucheng kept scanning the positions of both teams' players.
Having dodged Bill's attempts to steal the ball several times, with 10 seconds left on the clock, Wang Xiucheng suddenly accelerated and changed direction, entering the penalty area.
That location was where Rui Hachimura was.
Rui Hachimura's eyes widened. "They're looking for me again?"
Rui Hachimura saw Wang Xiucheng charging towards him with the ball.
But at this point, he couldn't hide anymore, otherwise Wang Xiucheng would get two points for nothing, and he would be scolded to death by the head coach.
So Rui Hachimura took the initiative to greet him for the first time.
Rui Hachimura is 203 cm tall, which is significantly taller than Hsiu-Cheng Wang. In addition, due to his African heritage, he is also noticeably stronger and has a longer wingspan than Hsiu-Cheng Wang.
However, Wang Xiucheng was more agile, like an eel, and impossible to catch.
In an instant, he was in front of Wang Xiucheng, who made a gesture as if to continue his breakthrough, but instead took a step back.
A step back?
Rui Hachimura instantly figured out what Wang Xiucheng was going to do.
He just didn't know whether Wang Xiucheng was going to take a step-back shot or a double step-back shot.
Fortunately, he saw that Bill had already reached Wang Xiucheng's rear.
Attack from front and back?
Rui Hachimura then jumped up and took a step-back shot.
If Wang Xiucheng were to retreat even one more step, Bill would already be waiting there.
Wang Xiucheng acted quickly, and Rui Hachimura was not confident that he could interfere with Wang Xiucheng even when he jumped from behind.
So he chose to jump first.
This is a gamble. If Wang Xiu can't take the plunge, he'll look like a clown.
Fortunately, Rui Hachimura saw Wang Xiucheng jump from the air.
The bet was right!
Rui Hachimura raised his two long arms high and then deliberately pressed them down.
Wang Xiucheng jumped up and held the ball up, but he didn't shoot it.
Rui Hachimura watched helplessly as Wang Xiucheng reached the highest point and then fell back down before Wang Xiucheng finally threw the ball.
Swish!
A beautiful sound came from behind me, like the sound of the basketball net.
Rui Hachimura knew the ball had gone in.
And it was a three-pointer.
But he was completely helpless.
Even though she knew what Wang Xiucheng was going to do and had prepared in advance, she still couldn't stop him.
Wang Xiucheng's abnormal hang time allows him to shoot at different times.
It's like when you're playing a game, someone suddenly discovers a bug that only they can use.
beep!
The referee blew his whistle at that moment.
Unseld used the team's last timeout.
The Rockets were now leading the Wizards 114-111 by three points.
Shen Jingge and the others came over to bump fists with Wang Xiucheng.
There are 6 seconds left, enough time for the opponent to launch an attack.
But for the Rockets, the odds of winning are clearly much higher.
Since the opponent can only shoot three-pointers, the Rockets can then target their perimeter defense.
For the Rockets, defending three-pointers is more effective than defending two-pointers.
That's exactly what Silas arranged.
This time, instead of replacing Wang Xiucheng, he substituted center Shen Jing.
They used five small lineups specifically to defend against the opponent's three-pointers.
"Switch on every defense, don't let them shoot threes, and take the victory in Washington."
Wang Xiucheng and the others stood there, without even drinking any water.
The game resumed soon.
Everyone in the arena stood up, eager to see if the Wizards' final shot would go in.
With a whistle, the game resumed.
The Wizards substituted out players like Gafford, who have no three-point shooting ability, and replaced them with a small-ball lineup that can shoot three-pointers.
The Wizards inbounded the ball from the center line, and Beal pushed Wang Xiucheng aside to receive the ball and drove straight to the three-point line.
Wang Xiucheng was positioned in front to defend Bill.
Wang Xiucheng used his speed to stick close to Bill, and whenever Bill dared to jump from beyond the three-point line, he would block him.
Even if it can't cover him, it can still distract him.
Like himself, Wang Xiu acknowledged that Bill would not hand the final attack to anyone else.
Bill then realized that he couldn't shake off Wang Xiucheng at all.
Wang Xiucheng was completely unmoved by feints, because everyone knew he couldn't actually break through.
With only one second left, Bill gritted his teeth, jumped up, and threw the ball.
He knew Wang Xiucheng's jumping ability; that meteor dunk was still fresh in his mind.
So Bill also made a rare one-shot move, releasing the basketball the instant he jumped.
Bang!
The basketball wasn't blocked, but it didn't go in either; it bounced off the rim.
beep!
The referee blew the final whistle.
Wang Xiucheng raised his hands high, looked in the direction of Rui Hachimura, and shouted, "I said we must win today, and we must win. Even Jesus won't help us."
Green Shenjing and the others rushed over and pounced on Wang Xiucheng.
Unseld and Silas shook hands at the technical table.
But the Wizards' players didn't share that interest.
After being dunked on by Wang Xiucheng, do you still have the nerve to say "you played well"?
Soon after, the Wizards players entered the player tunnel.
Only the Rockets players were still celebrating.
Penguin Live Room.
"Wang Xiucheng played for 21 minutes, scoring 26 points and dishing out 9 assists."
Wang Meng reported the data and then looked at Yang Yi.
Yang Yi had calmed down considerably by now, but his hoarse voice still testified to what he had done earlier.
After taking a sip of water, Yang Yi said, "Wang Xiucheng clearly played more today, making 6 of 9 three-pointers, but still dished out 9 assists."
"And that shooting star dunk, just tell me if it's cool or not."
“All-Star voting has begun. Although the rules have changed, I still believe Wang Xiucheng has the ability to enter the All-Star game.”
With a sore throat, Yang Yi could only reluctantly end the meal and then gulp down water.
Wang Shipeng then chimed in: "Rui Hachimura got 14 points and 6 rebounds today, which is actually quite good, but compared to Wang Xiucheng, he is at least a little worse in terms of statistics."
Yang Yi, who was drinking water, choked and coughed for a long time before saying, "Rui Hachimura just came back today. He's only played one game this season, so he's actually not bad."
"But?" Wang Shipeng asked, knowing his partner all too well.
"But that's all there is to it," Yang Yi said with a chuckle.
……
Wizards' locker room.
Although they lost the game, everyone was still in good spirits.
After all, a competition is a competition, and life is life.
Only Kuzma and Rui Hachimura weren't very happy.
Rui Hachimura fiercely took off his Earth shoes and kicked them under the stool.
He didn't know how the Japanese media would criticize him after the match, but it certainly wouldn't be anything good.
But when he saw Kuzma looking constipated not far away, Rui Hachimura's mood improved considerably.
At least I wasn't just a background character.
Suddenly, Kuzma's phone rang.
Seemingly unwilling to answer, Kuzma waited for more than ten seconds, but the phone kept ringing. So he picked it up and looked at it, and his constipated face immediately looked much better.
Bill leaned over and said, "Oh, it's your female best friend."
Kuzma finally smiled triumphantly, and his depressed mood was finally swept away.
Kuzma stood up with his phone in hand and walked out of the locker room.
Bill shouted, "Don't go! Pick her up here! Let us hear your best friend's voice too!"
Kuzma ignored them and just smiled smugly.
After leaving the locker room and going to a corner outside, Kuzma answered his phone.
The phone call had barely connected when Jenna's anxious voice came through before Kuzma could even utter a single word: "Kuzma, what did Wang Xiucheng ask you on the court? How did you answer?"