The No.1 Anti-Fans in Basketball
Chapter 300 - 168 "Poison Combination" _2

Chapter 300: Chapter 168 "Poison Combination" _2

When the game had reached approximately six minutes, the score on the field was 13-10 with the Lakers leading.

Although Okafor wasn’t in his best form, the overall strength of the Lakers still clearly outmatched the Grizzlies.

Furthermore, Mike Brown persisted with the defensive strategy from their last encounter, cutting off Hansen’s connection with his teammates.

Kobe’s breakthrough caused Speights to commit a defensive foul, earning him two free throws, and the game went into a dead ball situation.

Just then, a short whistle sounded and the camera panned to the technical table where Randolph was adjusting his headband preparing to enter the game.

Loud cheers erupted from the crowd. It was indeed a long-awaited appearance!

Clearly, Randolph’s substitution wasn’t a decoy, it was genuinely the Grizzlies’ intention to let Randolph find his rhythm starting from the bench.

After all, no matter how well you recover, it’s still mostly in the training field, which is different from an official game.

Before entering the game, Randolph high-fived Speights and then knocked on his own head.

Just as Hansen had seen earlier, Randolph was eager to return.

Kobe, despite interference, scored both free throws, extending the Lakers’ lead to five points.

Conley brought the ball up front while Randolph called for it in the low post.

Guarding Randolph was Big Gasol, who was clearly at a disadvantage in this matchup.

Conley passed the ball in and then cut to the back door, taking Paul with him. This was a standard low-post tactic for Randolph.

However, Paul was cunningly deceptive; it seemed like he was following Conley, but he suddenly doubled back halfway and timed his move to steal the ball.

Randolph didn’t react in time and was directly intercepted.

The Lakers quickly executed a defensive counterattack, with Kobe scoring on a fast break layup, widening the gap to seven points.

"The Grizzlies must maintain efficiency, they can’t allow the Lakers to launch such a defensive counterattack," Barkley, although a bit anxious, commented.

While there was some dramatization, his point was valid; in a clash between masters, the victory is decided by the details.

At this moment, Joerger did not call a timeout but instead signaled a new tactical gesture to Conley.

Conley passed the ball to Hansen, intending for Hansen to feed Randolph.

Hansen held the ball but didn’t pass it directly inside because he noticed a detail on the court.

Okafor had switched to guarding Randolph.

Although the Lakers had successfully defended the previous play, they had switched their inner linemen.

This Lakers team was full of tactical details.

Of course, this wasn’t the players’ credit but Brown’s maneuvering.

Sparkling as a constellation, having left James, Brown often showcased his defensive prowess.

Hansen signaled for Randolph to come out and set a screen.

Randolph eagerly complied; he really wouldn’t be so willing with others, only with Hansen.

Randolph’s massive build and strong screens put Hansen in a mismatch against Okafor.

Even an unhindered Okafor, let alone one struggling with form, wouldn’t be able to guard Hansen now.

Thus, Ci Shiping could only go for a double team.

Hansen sent a no-look pass back to Randolph.

Although Brown’s tactic was to cut off the connection between Hansen and his teammates, such a screen tactic is hard to counter unless you have top defenders who can circumvent it instantly.

Why then didn’t Hansen play with Speights earlier?

Even though Ci Shiping couldn’t cover back, Paul’s help defense was timely.

When people drooled over the Lakers’ two super backcourt offensive capabilities, what must not be overlooked is that this was a combination of first-team all-defense.

If Speights had caught the ball, this screen play would have ended in failure, but Randolph was different.

He faked a shot.

Paul could only jump. Although he was well-positioned for defense, the height difference meant he couldn’t interfere if he didn’t jump.

Randolph merely feinted a shot and pulled back the ball for a quick drive, and after having been deceived once, he went around Paul’s other side.

Paul, still in the air, had no chance to swipe as he passed.

Randolph drove into the paint, breaking past the defensively chasing Ci Shiping for a layup scoring, and drew a defensive foul from him.

In terms of offensive skills, whether it’s Speights or even the improved Little Gasol, they are a notch below Randolph.

After scoring, an excited Randolph roared at Paul, then turned and chest-bumped with Hansen.

The earlier solo play had been slightly embarrassing, but this and-one had quickly helped him find his game rhythm.

It still had to be Hansen.

And it was an evolved Hansen.

Speaking of the screen play, they had also executed it last season, but at that time,, limited by Hansen’s passing skill, either the timing or the angle was off, and the opportunities were fleeting.

Thus, at that time, the screens were mainly concluded by Hansen himself, but this time, Hansen made a smooth pass, crucially deceiving Paul.

At this point, both teams made substitutions, with the Lakers replacing Artest with Barnes and the Grizzlies substituting Battier for Gay.

Randolph’s bonus free throw was solid, bringing the score difference back to four points.

"Defense! Defense!"

The chant from the fans also resonated in the arena.

At this moment, Paul showcased his basketball IQ, using a screen play with Big Gasol to find mid-range space against Randolph.

But Conley beautifully navigated around to the front, successfully disturbing Paul.

Paul’s final shot missed the frame, and the rebound was secured by Little Gasol.

Conley, after advancing the ball to the frontcourt, passed it again to Hansen and then directed the weak side to clear out the space.