On April 25, Beijing time, when Paul gave the savior of the last quarter twice in the first three games of the series, can the 36-year-old cannon go on a rampage again? Sorry, in the first round of G4, Paul was dumbfounded on the offensive end, even if he contributed 11 assists, but the offensive end only scored 4 points on 2 of 8, especially in the second half, 0 of 5, which became one of the important factors for the Suns to lose and be tied with the total score of 2-2. Paul tied the lowest score in the playoffs with just four points, the previous time being the 2009 first round G4 vs. Nuggets.
It is worth mentioning that Paul has set a number of individual worst records in this year's playoffs:
First, Paul set a single-game record for the playoffs this year, and for the first time in this year's playoffs, he scored less than 10 points, after the previous low score was 17 points in Game II.
Second, Paul set a record for the fewest goals scored in a single game in the playoffs this year, after hitting five goals in Game II.
Third, Paul didn't hit a three-point shot, setting a single-game record in this year's playoffs, after the previous record was just one three-point shot in the previous game.
Can 36-year-old Paul still fight? In the first three games of the series, Paul scored 19 points in the final quarter of the first game, leading the team to a narrow victory over the Pelicans and refusing to be reversed. In the third game, Paul scored 19 points in the last quarter, leading the team to win another victory over the Pelicans, which showed the super combat effectiveness of the old cannon.
Just facing the pelican duel that dares to fight, facing the biggest test of the Youth Army War, it is naturally a physical competition. As Booker continued to be sidelined with injuries, the Suns struggled to handle the Pelicans' inside and outbursts, while Paul languished on the offensive end, failing to repeat the previous last-quarter runaway miracle.
In this matchup, Paul was limited to just three shots in the first two quarters, and he hit 2 goals to score four points. Paul was restrained by Pelicans guard Alvarado, and Valanciunas and others were surrounded on the inside, not giving Paul an easy chance to score.
In the second half, Paul increased his offensive proportions, but he could not find an offensive crosshair on the field, and paul only had a 5-of-0 shooting target in the last two quarters. What is even more tragic is that Paul, who played a little impatiently, was not only forced by Alvarado to make an 8-second violation, but even in the middle of the final quarter when Jones broke through 2+1, Paul directly flew and slapped his opponent on the head, which also allowed Paul to be added another malicious foul.
The Pelicans gradually extended their lead, and Paul was unable to break out again to save the team, even if he continued to complete the assist double performance, but the Sun was pulled apart by the Pelicans and unable to return to the sky, which also made Paul show a frustrated look on the court. The Suns were tied by the Pelicans to a 2-2 draw on aggregate, and in the case of Booker's temporary inability to make a comeback, there is no doubt that the Suns are still in danger of being blackened by the Pelicans.
(Text/Drunken Floating Life)