Chapter 777 O'Neal Is the Happiest (Second Update!)

"It's not the end of the world, we'll adjust for the next game. I've been through this."

At the post-game press conference, Nowitzki, as the team boss, acted very calmly.

But after the press conference, he looked solemn as he left the media spotlight.

Having played in the playoffs for so many years, he obviously knows that the team is in a dangerous situation.

If Tang Tian's defensive problem cannot be solved, it will be really difficult for them to win.

"We will find a solution."

Butler saw Nowitzki's solemn expression and persuaded him.

Nowitzki glanced at Butler, smiled and nodded.

Butler's personality is sometimes strong, but among these new teammates, he is the one he talks to the most.

The Mavericks locker room is a bit dull, and losing makes people uncomfortable.

"Zhaza, how about you find a way to get Tang..."

Justin Anderson spoke to Pachulia. He said half of what he said, but everyone could guess the other half.

Since you can't defend and want to win, you can only use some outside moves.

Even if it is exchanged, it will be an absolute profit for the Mavericks.

Pachulia smiled and said nothing.

Although there are still some shadows in my heart, it has been several months since I was beaten.

The scars are healed and the pain is forgotten. Time can always make people forget unpleasant experiences.

If the team really wants him to do something like that, he's willing to take the risk and give it a try.

After all, his target was not Tang Tian before, but now if it were Tang Tian, ​​he would be able to avenge his previous punch and kill two birds with one stone.

"Stop those dirty practices. If anyone dares to try it, I'm not done with him!"

Butler and Nowitzki happened to return to the locker room at this time. After Butler heard the exchange between Anderson and Pachulia, he yelled directly.

Tang Tian is his brother and role model. Whoever dares to touch him will definitely fight to the end! Even his teammates!

"Ahem, I just said it casually."

Anderson said with some embarrassment.

Although Butler is in his first year with the team, his strong personality makes people afraid to mess with him.

And he also talked about it when Butler was not around. Everyone knew that Butler and Tang Tian had a close relationship.

"Zaza, I'm warning you, don't try to do anything to Tang, otherwise don't blame me for being rude."

Butler was really cruel and warned Pachulia directly in front of others.

Pachulia looked cold. He was not a newcomer like Anderson. Butler did not give him any face by doing this. It was too much.

And Tang Tian is their opponent now!

"You are so protective of Don, why don't you go to the Pelicans?"

Pachulia said sarcastically.

"you!"

Butler said that he was about to take action.

"Jimmy, calm down."

Nowitzki reached out and grabbed Butler.

"Zaza, don't say that again. Jimmy is the one who works the hardest and wants to win on the team."

After Nowitzki grabbed Butler, he spoke to Pachulia.

Nowitzki is the boss of the Mavericks. When he spoke, Butler and Pachulia were too embarrassed to say anything.

"Guys, I know everyone is not happy to lose the game, but the series has just begun. We still have many opportunities. Believe in each other and try to win the next game. That is what we should do."

Nowitzki then said some chicken soup.

The team members all nodded one after another.

No matter how this team changes, Nowitzki is the soul of this team.

"The Mavericks played very well. Jimmy's defense is the best I have ever encountered. I believe their performance will get better and better in subsequent games."

Tang Tian didn't know what happened in the Mavericks locker room, but at the post-game press conference, he praised his opponent.

And it is indeed true.

The lack of point guard and insufficient defense are the weaknesses of the Mavericks, but the Mavericks also have its advantages, with many scoring points on the offensive end.

Defense wins championships, but whoever scores more wins games.

However, the reporters in the audience burst into laughter. They regarded this as Tang Tian's poisonous milk.

That night, the results of the opening matches of other groups were also released.

The Cavaliers beat the Nets 120-90.

James clocked in three quarters and contributed 22 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists, Irving had 21 points and 5 assists, and Love had 20 points and 7 rebounds.

Under Tyronn Lue, the offensive talents of the Big Three have been further developed.

The Heat beat the Hawks 113 to 105.

Whiteside had an eye-catching performance, contributing 20 points, 13 rebounds, 3 blocks and 2 steals. Wade scored a game-high 27 points.

Five players from the Eagles scored in double figures, but no one scored more than 20. Their civilian basketball seemed to be coming to an end.

The Spurs lost to the Thunder 91-95.

Durant scored a game-high 32 points, and Westbrook also had a near-triple-double with 26 points, 6 rebounds and 7 assists.

The two teams were evenly matched throughout the game, and the game was stalemate until the last minute. Durant showed his death strength at the last moment and scored 7 points in a row to kill the game.

At the end of the first day of the playoffs, the happiest person was O'Neal.

The Pelicans easily defeated the Mavericks, and the Thunder defeated the Spurs with a downfall.

The results of these two games were exactly as he predicted.

He can show off in front of his two partners.

Game 2 of the series is two days later.

At the end of the first day's training session, Stevens chatted with Tang Tian privately and discussed tactics for the rest of the series.

This was his first time coaching a team with a superstar. The first game inspired him a lot, and he will increase Tang Tian's ball-holding ratio throughout the playoffs.

Tang Tian didn't have much objection to this, and the two also discussed the topic of letting Jokic lead the team on the court during the transition period between substitutes.

The No. 2 tactic is the one used most by the Pelicans this season, which can make full use of the Pelicans' bench strength to a greater extent.

"These are all details. I think what we need to pay most attention to later is the Mavericks' offense."

Tang Tian took the initiative to ask this question, and this was what he had thought of during the press conference after the last game.

Stevens listened, and the reminder was indeed timely.

In the afternoon training session and the next day's training session, Stevens focused on defensive training.

The Mavericks have a lot of scoring points, but the Pelicans are very strong in both individual defense and system defense.

This is equivalent to two forces competing to see who can break through the other's critical point.

On game day, the league announced the earliest batch of awards of the season.

Jokic was a candidate for the Most Improved Award, but in the final selection, he unfortunately lost to the Trail Blazers' CJ McCollum with 5% of the vote.

But he didn't lose unjustly. McCollum scored 16 more points this season than last season, not to mention improvements in rebounds and assists.

This can defeat everyone in any selection. Jokic only lost 5% of the votes, which is already a success.

The Pelicans missed out on the Most Improved Award, but they got another, more weighty award.