Who would have thought that the series between the Sun and pelicans would hit Mt. Tenno. This set of duels, which should have been the least suspenseful, reversed after Booker was injured.
In the first half of the second game, Booker Tenjin scored 31 points in the lower half, but left the field with a hamstring in the second half. Hamstring has always been Booker's old problem, last year's Finals he played with a hamstring strain injury, and he also missed a period of time in the regular season because of a hamstring injury.
After the game, Booker is expected to miss 2-3 weeks, and in any case, the first round will certainly not be able to play again. The Pelicans, who had grabbed home-court advantage at home for the Suns, returned to New Orleans with immediate momentum as they saw the hope of the Black Eight.
In the third game, if it weren't for Paul's 19 points in the final quarter, I'm afraid the Pelicans would have taken a 3-1 lead by now. Ayton and Paul did their best in that game, Ayton's excellent performance in the first three quarters and the rebound in the final quarter, paul's small hit and big shot, all let the Suns escape.
Some commentators say that after Booker's injury, the two best players in the series are now in the Pelicans. But apparently the Pelicans aren't arrogant enough, and the Suns are still the better team, with a league-first record and experience reaching the Finals last year. So, if you want to create the Black Eight Miracle, you have to work hard.
The fourth game was the Pelicans' fight for the life, and the Pelicans thought it was clear that without Booker, I only needed to strangle Paul. Ayton doesn't look like the guy who can decide where the series goes, not to mention I have a Valan and your Ayton pairer.
In the first half, relying on Ayton's interior advantage and the fire support of others, the Suns still had a two-point lead. But in the second half, the momentum came completely to the Pelicans, as Ingram scored 16 points in a single quarter.
After Booker's injury, Ingram was the most talented attacking talent of the two teams, and he has always highlighted this talent in the last three games. Yesterday, the Orioles scored 30 points on 11-of-23 shooting, which is not efficient, but every ball is very tough.
This is Ingram's third consecutive playoff game of 30+, becoming the first person in Pelicans history. In the first four playoff games of his career, Ingram scored a total of 119 points. Ingram's history, Ingram ranks fifth in this statistic.
The Suns' counterattack in the final quarter was suppressed by Varan's consecutive points, and yesterday's Varan had 26 points and 15 rebounds, and I dare not say that I completely suppressed Ayton, but at least Irene and Ayton were mutually explosive, which was enough for the Pelicans.
Of course, yesterday's winner or loser, or the Pelicans' two young men with annual salaries of only more than two million, are completely blocked against Paul. While it's become normal for Paul to play the playoffs, it's rare to see Paul play so badly.
In the first six minutes of the first quarter, Paul scored four points, and then he didn't score a single point in the remaining 42 minutes of the game. It was one of Paul's worst playoff performances, scoring just four points, shooting 2-of-8, no three-point shots, no free throws.
The last time Paul scored just four points was in the first round of 2009 against the Nuggets. That game also became a terrier for Paul's entire career because of the final point difference, because they eventually lost 58 points.
Paul was completely locked in by the defense of Herbert Jones and Alvarado, Herbert Jones defended Paul the longest, reaching 5 minutes and 06 seconds, Paul did not have a single shot, naturally did not score.
Yesterday's Herbert Jones had 13 points, 2 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals and 3 blocks, all three blocks were blocked opponents for three points! He jumps from a great distance and then flies like a helicopter to give his opponent a volleyball cap.
In the final stages of the game, Jones was thrown to the ground by Paul after stealing. Paul tried to pull Jones up, but Jones looked at Paul and sneered, then waited with determination for his teammates to pull him up. With just this one look, you know that this boy is a cruel person.
This round of the playoffs brought Jones' defensive talent to the fullest, and the Pelicans head coach said his heart was always filled with the fire of competition. He made full use of his ability to run and jump, was everywhere on the field, ready to block the opponent's attack.
Alvarado defended Paul with 3:25 and Paul also did not shoot or score. In the final quarter of the decisive moment, Alvarado caused Paul to commit an eight-second violation, which is extremely rare in Paul.
After successful defense, Alvarado seemed to have scored a deadlock, he roared at the audience, and the fans also sang Alvarado's name "Jose" in the tune of "Cup of Life", which was the most burning moment in the audience.
Of course, what's rarer than Paul being defended to eight seconds is that he was successfully stolen by Alvarado. Paul had been wary of the sneak attack of the "Old Six" before, but at the last moment of yesterday, Paul estimated that his head was dizzy and was successfully attacked by Alvarado.
Alvarado is about the same height as Paul, but Paul took 30.8 million this season, and Alvarado's salary is 460,000. He couldn't even pay a technical foul fine until the contract was regularized. Now, he's got Paul out of the woods twice in front of the audience.
He may be the "point guard god" in your hearts, but in Alvarado's eyes, Paul is the object of his own life, he can throw himself in front of Paul, as long as he can stop Paul, he can do anything.
It's the playoffs, and you have to do your best to win, and if you want black eight, you have to fight!