The older superstars of the NBA

Chapter 835 vs. Orlando Magic 2

First round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.

The New York Knicks faced off against the Orlando Magic at home, and the game between the two sides entered the second half.

call out.

The referee's whistle sounded, and then the ball was thrown into the hands of defender DJ Augustine.

Augustin passed the ball, his teammates passed it back to him, and the Magic launched an offense.

This time the Knicks changed to a mixed lineup of main players + substitutes. Zhao Feiyang went to the second position, Jeremy Lin organized the team's offense at the first position, replaced the wing positions with substitutes, and replaced DeAndre Jordan and Demar in the interior. Team up with Cus Cousins.

After halftime, Augustin decisively chose to call his teammates for cover when faced with Zhao Feiyang's marking.

Aaron Gordon on the wing came up to block him. Augustine seized the opportunity to distance himself, then decisively stepped back behind Gordon and raised the basketball to shoot.

Swish.

A crisp three-pointer fell firmly into the basket.

Augustine's three-pointer brought a round of applause from the Magic bench.

In the eyes of many players, as long as the Magic can continue to score from outside, they will still have a chance to reverse the situation and beat the Knicks.

However, the Knicks soon gave the ball away.

Jeremy Lin brought the ball across the half court and organized an attack at the top of the arc. Zhao Feiyang was marked and he chose to go around from the basket to the other side of the basket.

Jeremy Lin seemed to be beckoning others to run, but in fact he was waiting for Zhao Feiyang to throw the ball out as soon as he was in the bottom corner.

Snapped.

Zhao Feiyang received the basketball without any hesitation, raised the basketball and shot decisively.

Swish.

The three-pointer hit the net.

The Magic kept playing.

When Augustin threw another three-pointer, the Knicks immediately took measures. Zhao Feiyang personally went up to guard one-on-one to interfere with his shot. The suppressed Augustin had to pass the ball. Unfortunately, his teammate Terrence Ross had a poor touch and failed to hit two consecutive shots.

Helpless, in this case, Augustin could only transfer the ball to other people. However, everyone's touch was not good, and the Magic directly fell into a scoring drought for a period of time.

Completely opposite to the Magic, the Knicks relied on Zhao Feiyang's stable shots to further widen the score gap.

The Magic originally wanted outside output to help the team score, but they overlooked one thing, that is, the Knicks' outside output is not blocked. In addition to shooters like Zhao Feiyang, who has always had a good touch, Zach LaVine also has a good three-point shot.

The last of the trio, Adrian on the wing also has a three-pointer. Although not as powerful as the first two, playing at critical moments can still help the team widen the point difference.

As a result, the script that the Magic hoped for did not appear, and the game instead developed in the way that Knicks fans expected.

In the third quarter of the confrontation, the Knicks repeatedly scored with their outside advantage, but the Magic were unable to resist. If Augustin hadn't scored from time to time, the Magic would have been completely crushed by the Knicks.

Even so, after the third quarter of both sides ended, the score on the field became 91 to 71, and the Knicks directly led the Magic by 20 points.

With the game like this, it is basically impossible for the Magic to win, and the remaining time will inevitably become a chicken time.

After the start of the fourth quarter, the Knicks only chose to replace Jordan to guard the inside, and all other positions became substitute players except for the distance.

The Magic still haven't given up their struggle. They are still trying to score points in the hope of changing their current predicament. However, as the game time gradually decreases, the Magic's morale becomes lower and lower, and the players' attitude towards the game gradually becomes slacker.

With less than 3 minutes remaining on both sides, the Knicks were completely ruined and all substitutes were substituted. The same is true for the Magic. Previously, the team's head coach Steve Clifford was still standing in front of the team's bench and giving instructions. At this time, he simply sat down on the chair and remained silent.

Time ran out little by little until the end prompt sounded.

beep.

All the fans at Madison Square Garden stood up and clapped and cheered.

Players from both sides also hugged and shook hands.

Such a game without suspense naturally reduces the excitement, and also makes many Knicks fans believe that the team can easily pass the first round.

Their expectations soon became reality.

After the first game, the two sides soon ushered in the second game.

This time the Magic team changed their strategy and focused on Zhao Feiyang from the beginning, directly using double teams to limit Zhao Feiyang's shots. It had a little effect at first, and Zhao Feiyang also took the initiative to give the ball to other teammates, without even taking a single shot for several minutes.

However, in the second half of the first quarter, the situation on the field suddenly changed.

Adrian Ennis on the wing began to play frequent singles. He would always seize the opportunity to rush into the basket area, either choosing to throw or turn around and play behind the basket to dunk, although it seemed that some of his choices were not. So perfect, but he can always score despite the interference of Aaron Gordon.

After Adrian broke out in the first quarter, the Magic's defensive pressure increased! But at this time, they couldn't spare any more energy and could only continue to keep an eye on Zhao Feiyang.

But soon, Porzingis on the inside also took action!

He relied on his skills to continuously get inside and continuously grab the opponent's rebounds and score. Relying on a short burst of bursts, Porzingis directly carried the Knicks on his shoulders in this quarter and moved forward.

This time the Magic team really collapsed!

When the second half came, the Magic chose to let go of Zhao Feiyang and focus on the inside. This time they are completely finished!

Zhao Feiyang hit a three-pointer first, and then cooperated with Howard through alley-oops, rushing into the paint three times in a row to beat the Magic's defense.

After several attacks, the Magic were completely stunned! They don't know how to guard the Knicks, and they can't even determine who is the focus! Because any core player can perform unexpectedly!

"Damn it!"

"How can we fight against such an opponent?"

Team coach Stevens said angrily in front of the team table.

Not surprisingly, the Knicks won this game.

The next two games went to the home court of the Magic, but unfortunately no miracles happened. The Magic only showed a little tacit understanding in the first half, but the Knicks quickly adapted to it in the second half, and what followed was a repeat of what had happened before.

For the entire four games, the Magic only felt the cruelty of being beaten in the second half!

Because of this, the Knicks easily swept them in the first round of the playoffs with a big score of 4-0!