Beijing time on May 9, in an NBA playoff game that ended today, the Lone Ranger defeated the Suns 111-101, and the next two cities pulled the big score to 2-2, perhaps no one thought that the first two loners who were completely suspended by the Sun would completely suppress the Suns in the last 2 games, of which 3 key factors allowed the Lone Rangers to complete the turnover.
The first is the offensive end, the Lone Ranger's three-point feel in the last 2 games has gradually become hot, this game, the Lone Ranger three-pointers totaled 44 shots 20, when a team in the playoffs to shoot 45.5% of the three-point shooting rate, even the league number one is difficult to beat them. In the last game, the Lone Ranger also shot 13-of-39 from three-point range.
After the game, Suns coach Monty Williams gave an interview to the media. Speaking about the Lone Ranger's 20 three-pointers, Monty said: "We just didn't give the opponent enough defensive pressure, Dorian Finney Smith hit 8 three-pointers, as a head coach, this is a problem I have to solve. ”
But the Lone Ranger's counterattack, not only in the offensive end of the outbreak, but also in the defensive end of the improvement, the first two games of the series, the Lone Ranger let the Suns score 121 points and 129 points respectively, and let Paul play amazing offensive efficiency. But in the last two games, the Lone Ranger has only let the Suns score 94 points and 101 points, 1 game failed to break the hundred, and one game broke the hundred in front of the game, such a score is very poor in today's NBA offensive rhythm. And the most successful part of the Lone Ranger's defense was undoubtedly blocking the sun's organizational core, Chris Paul.
In the first two games of the series, Paul shot 18-of-29 and had 47 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists, which was quite efficient. But in the last two games, Paul totaled 7 of 12 shots, only 19 points, 12 rebounds and 11 assists, in fact, just look at these data, Paul, although not playing at the top level, is also qualified. The real problem is that in the last 2 games, Paul has made a total of 9 turnovers and 10 fouls. In this game, he played only 23 minutes and then left the game with six fouls, shooting 2 of 4 and scoring 5 points, 5 rebounds, 7 assists and 1 steal on 1 of 1 three-pointer. There is no doubt that Paul is trapped in the encirclement and trap of the lone ranger.
Paul, who has just passed his 37th birthday, is already one of the oldest veterans in the league, even if he is in good shape, he will have a physical disadvantage with the deepening of the playoffs, at which time Paul's height disadvantage will become more and more exposed, the lone ranger sees this, and constantly singles Paul on the offensive end consumes his physical strength, forcing him to foul, and the defensive end is also as uncomfortable as possible for Paul to play.
After the game, Lone Ranger player Dorian Finney Smith was interviewed. Speaking of Chris Paul, he said, "He's a little older and we try to take advantage of that. Also, we'll make it harder for him to play. Speaking about limiting Chris Paul, Brunson said: "To be honest, I think it stems from how hard we work on the defensive end. Both said bluntly that limiting Paul is a team-wide effort, which means that Lone Ranger coach Kidd's adjustments and strategies are very successful.
As the new coach who just joined the Lone Ranger this season, Kidd immediately led the Lone Ranger into the second round of the playoffs, and faced the league's number one Sun and the former opponent paul on the court, Kidd played his old demon nature well, he specially formulated a series of tactics for Paul, so that Paul became the breakthrough of the Lone Ranger's turnover, I have to say that Paul and the Suns are really pondered by Kidd, and Kidd is indeed worthy of one of the best coaches this season.
And seeing such Kidd, many fans feel more sorry for the Lakers, how dizzy the Lakers management was at the beginning, and even willing to let kidd go, if Kidd is still in the Lakers, then the Lakers may not miss the playoffs this season, if Kidd is still in the Lakers, then when Vogel can't save the Lakers, they also have a good enough coach, and trusted by James and Davis. But now, the Lakers can only watch Kidd lead the Lone Ranger to continue to create miracles.